We use cookies
We use cookies to improve your experience on our website and analyse our web traffic. Read more in our Privacy Policy.
Skip to content

Lead generation strategies

Data Insights: When Do Students Seek New Study Programs?

2024-08-22 · 5 min read

We've examined how students from various regions approach their educational journeys. We uncovered key regional differences. Recognizing these nuances can significantly enhance recruitment strategies.

Our analysis centered on whether these students were currently studying or had already graduated when they consulted our Advisors to learn about study programs.

This data shows users looking for Bachelor, Master, MBA or PhD programmes, thus covering users at different levels of education. This report used a data set consisting of 214,949 users.

The insights we gained suggest that tailoring recruitment strategies to these regional nuances could yield more effective results. Let’s dive into the details! 👇

Are prospective students still in school when researching their next study destination?

In all our Advisor products, we ask about the prospective student's current education level. This helps us assess whether they meet the entry requirements, and provides schools with valuable insights into the profiles of potential leads.

Across the board, regardless of region or higher education level, the majority of users have already graduated once they begin researching new study programs.

Question: Are you currently studying?

By region

Region Yes No
Africa 36.53% 63.47%
Asia 37.27% 62.72%
Europe 41.87% 58.13%
Indian Subcontinent 37.15% 62.85%
LATAM 36.42% 63.58%
Middle East 35.73% 64.27%
North America 37.49% 62.51%
Total 38.39% 61.61%
Yes/No answers on question "Are you currently studying?" divided into regions based on country of origin. Data from 2023-24.

High School students begin to look for their next school while still studying

However, when solely focusing on students who state that their highest level of education is High School or equivalent, this perspective changes. Mainly, it appears that High School students begin to look for their next school while still studying.

Most students with a high school education are currently studying.
Segment of users who stated that their highest level of education is High School or equivalent. Data from 2023-24.

Interestingly, if we then look closer at the segment of High School students who have already graduated once they begin their search, Africa stands out. In this region, the majority of users have already graduated. Conversely, the vast majority of High School students in Asia are yet to graduate.

Question: Are you currently studying?

High school students by region

Region Yes No
Africa 35.79% 64.21%
Asia 73.58% 26.42%
Europe 57.08% 42.92%
Indian Subcontinent 80.79% 19.21%
LATAM 68.88% 31.12%
Middle East 58.13% 41.87%
North America 62.91% 37.09%
Segment of users who stated that their highest level of education is High School or equivalent, divided by region based on user's country of origin. Data from 2023-24.

When diving further into the African region, it appears that most of the prospects using our Advisors in their search graduated from High School two years prior to starting their research into higher education. Thus, it is not a significant time gap between High School and Bachelor’s, but enough to warrant a different approach from the usual High School outreach marketing.

Question: When did you graduate?

High school students, Africa

When did you graduate? %
This year 11.62%
Last year 16.69%
2 years ago 29.49%
3 years ago 5.02%
4 years ago 3.95%
5 years ago 4.21%
6 years ago 2.74%
7 years ago 2.91%
8 years ago 2.25%
9 years ago 1.96%
10 years ago or earlier 19.17%
Segment of users who stated that their highest level of education is High School or equivalent, that they have graduated already and country of origin is within the African region. Data from 2023-24.

European Bachelor students defy the norm

When we then investigated Bachelor students looking for their next degree, European students conflicted with their counterparts in the other regions. The majority of European Bachelor students begin researching their next degree while studying.

Breaking these numbers down even further, we can see that Europe really stands out at around double the percentage of any other region.

A majority of European Bachelor students begin researching their next degree while studying.
Segment of users who stated that their highest level of education is Bachelor degree. Segment is also divided into Europe based on the users' country of origin. Data from 2023-24.

Question: Are you currently studying?

Bachelor students by region

Region Yes No
Africa 26.26% 73.74%
Asia 321.76% 68.24%
Europe 61.17% 38.83%
Indian Subcontinent 30.82% 69.18%
LATAM 25.46% 74.54%
Middle East 20.14% 79.86%
North America 33.23% 66.77%
Segment of users who stated that their highest level of education is Bachelor degree divided into region based on the user's country of origin. Data from 2023-24.

This really piqued our interest, so we drilled down even further, and checked how many years away from graduation these European Bachelor students were, to see how early they begin preparing for their next step. Most European Bachelor students will graduate in the coming year.

Most European Bachelor students will graduate in the coming year.
Segment of users who stated that their highest level of education is Bachelor degree and their country of origin is in the European region. Data from 2023-24.

Of the remaining Bachelor students who were not graduating the following year, the largest percentage of users were graduating in the current year. This underscores that they begin to consider the next option once their Bachelor’s graduation is close at hand. This is also most likely the stage of their academic career in which they are beginning to truly uncover their interests and ambitions for the future.

Question: When did you graduate?

Bachelor students, Europe

When did you graduate? %
This year 20.76%
Last year 23.21%
2 years ago 12.15%
3 years ago 7.40%
4 years ago 5.30%
5 years ago 4.66%
6 years ago 3.59%
7 years ago 3.04%
8 years ago 2.74%
9 years ago 2.30%
10 years ago or earlier 14.75%
Segment of users who stated that their highest level of education is Bachelor degree and their country of origin is in the European region. Data from 2023-24.

When asked when they want to start studying, the regions tended to be more congruous:

  1. Next year is the most commonly chosen option across all regions.
  2. The same year is a close second; however, here the LATAM region stands out as not being interested in applying as promptly.
  3. The Middle east and LATAM prospects are the most indecisive, while the Indian Subcontinent students appear to be the most decisive.
  4. North American students are more eager to start in 2 years compared to other regions.

Question: When do you want to start studying?

All students by region

Region This year Next year In 2 years In 3 years Not sure
Africa 28.66% 42.39% 5.59% 0.48% 22.88%
Asia 28.91% 31.54% 7.06% 1.74% 30.76%
Europe 34.46% 35.37% 8.26% 1.33% 20.58%
Indian Subcontinent 37.39% 42.30% 5.97% 0.99% 13.55%
LATAM 22.05% 33.75% 7.65% 1.04% 35.51%
Middle East 31.56% 26.85% 4.01% 0.69% 36.89%
North America 28.07% 38.06% 10.45% 2.42% 20.99%
All users divided into regions based on their country of origin. Data from 2023-24.

To summarize 📝

Our analysis reveals that African students typically take a gap of 2 years between graduating High School and researching university options. This is a stark contrast to their Asian and European peers, who are generally ready for higher education immediately after completing High School. This suggests that marketing efforts aimed at African High School students should be delayed until they are ready to consider university studies, rather than targeting them immediately post-graduation.

Furthermore, European students with a Bachelor’s degree are distinct in their proactive approach to postgraduate studies, often beginning their research before they have even graduated. This trend indicates the importance of engaging with European students early in their undergraduate journey, as they are likely to make decisions about further education well before completing their Bachelor’s programs.

Want to know how it can work for you?

Speak to one of our experts and discover how we can help you achieve your goals.