1st of December: Empowering students on their journey with Visa Support
We’re committed to empowering students on their international educational journey. One of the ways we do this is to host one webinar per week to address common student concerns and challenges.
These sessions focus on practical guidance around visa support such as, offering clear steps to navigate their student journey with confidence, and providing a space for them to share their top concerns.
In the past month, over 75 students have participated. Feedback from students is that these sessions empower them to take ownership their journey making it an easier and smoother experience for all.
2nd of December: Cut your team admin time by 80%
Our data shows that we’ve reduce staff administrative workloads by 80% with automation for manual workflows that are notorious for draining teams times.
By consolidating the entire process into one seamless platform, CAS Shield delivers significant efficiency gains. Automation reduces the need manual intervention, ensures accuracy for error prone processes, accelerates critical workflows, and frees up valuable time for staff to focus on meaningful student interactions.
A efficiency boost that benefits everyone.
3rd of December: CAS Processing for January ‘25 Intake - How's it looking?
We’re currently sitting just above 30% of CAS issued against deposits received, which is just a step behind last year’s 31% at this stage. Off to a solid start, but as we know, crunch time is coming in order to process all that’s needed for the January intake.
Looking for more Data Insights?
Make sure you join for our January Intake Snapshot Webinar this Friday 6 December at 10am . You can also join us on LinkedIn Live for the session - here!
This will be our only open-to-all webinar for the January Intake, the next session will be our End of Intake Wrap-Up Webinar on the 20th February.
4th of December: Accommodation choices with students from Sub-Saharan Africa
Our September’24 intake data showed us that 20% of students from Sub-Saharan Africa opted to live with family while studying in the UK - a big contrast to just 4.5% among students from other regions.
This raises an interesting question - How significant is accommodation in recruitment strategies for Sub-Saharan Africa?
Understanding these preferences could offer valuable insights into the cultural, financial, and logistical factors influencing student decisions.
5th of December: Students opting to study in the UK are from 114 countries worldwide
The January’25 Intake is a testament to the global appeal of studying in the UK, with students being recruited from an impressive 114 countries.
While the reach is vast, just five markets account for 85% of all deposits received. You might guess some of the top contributors - India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Nepal and Bangladesh.
This concentration of recruitment from a handful of key regions offers valuable insights into market trends and student mobility. Is your institution prepared to meet the needs of students from these regions?
6th of December: Six key tips for a successful digital transformation
Delivering a digital transformation project isn’t easy. It’s not just about rolling out new tech - it’s about getting everyone on the same page by aligning your goals with what the institution truly needs, securing buy-in from leadership, and involving the people who will actually use the systems. It’s about empowering teams to collaborate, innovate, and deliver results that matter.
Earlier in the year, we teamed up with some of our incredible partners to dig into what it really takes to succeed with digital transformation. Together, we uncovered six actionable steps to help institutions achieve meaningful change:
- Securing internal buy-in
- Selecting an appropriate integration approach
- Streamlining processes
- Fostering cross-departmental collaboration
- Enhancing agent and student communication
- Measuring success through Data Insights
Curious why we landed on those six? Read the full article here
7th of December: Nepal holds 7% market share for deposits received in the January'25 intake
From our January’25 intake data, we can see that one market is standing out like never before compared to last year: Nepal!
With 7% market share for deposits, Nepal is rapidly emerging as a key player in the international student landscape. This is a remarkable jump from just 2% last year, marking a significant 5% increase in one year.
What could be driving this surge? Does it reflect Nepal’s increasing focus on global education? Or perhaps the growing appeal of institutions that offer streamlined onboarding and robust support for international students?
8th of December: Gender disparities across subject choices in higher education
Our data from the September ’24 intake highlighted gender disparities across subject choices in higher education. In engineering, 83% of students were male, while psychology showed 80% of students being female.
What do these trends reveal about gender representation and subject preferences in higher education? How might institutions address these imbalances to foster more inclusive and diverse learning environments?
By asking these questions, we can uncover opportunities to drive greater representation across all fields of study.
9th of December: Single vs. multi-source funding
According to our September ‘24 Intake data data reveals that 90% of students rely on a single funding source to support their education. Meanwhile, 7.5% of students utilise two funding sources, and just 1% depend on three or more.
Does relying on a single source make students more financially vulnerable, or does it reflect streamlined access to funding?
Exploring these patterns can help institutions better understand students' financial landscapes and develop strategies to support those who may need more diverse or robust funding options.
For more interesting financial data check our our full blog - The September 2024 Intake Financial Trends: Leveraging Financial Data for Strategic Gains in Higher Education.
10th of December: Your participation in our webinar series
This year, we’ve been blown-away by the incredible turnout for our webinar series, with so many of you joining to dive into the latest trends and insights our data brings.
Your engagement, feedback and support has encouraged us to push even further ahead with these events, and we’re excited to continue bringing them to you next year, from our new CrowdCast platform.
You can register for our twice-per-intake Snapshot events via our events page, as well as watching them streamed LIVE via our LinkedIn.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended this year’s sessions. We can’t wait to bring you even more insights, events, and data in 2025!
11th of December: South Asia driving 75% of the January intake
With South Asia driving 75% of the January intake, deposits have risen 11.06% year-on-year, showing strong interest in international education. However, CAS issuance has only increased by 1%, highlighting a critical gap that could impact enrolments if not addressed
What steps can institutions take to close this gap? Are delays in CAS issuance affecting recruitment goals? It’s a key time to focus on streamlining processes to ensure South Asia’s potential translates into successful enrolments.
12th of December: Kenya is ranked 12th worldwide for CAS issued
Our September ‘24 intake data revealed Kenya’s growing impact in international student recruitment, with the country ranking 12th globally for CAS issued. This remarkable growth, including a 43.04% year-on-year increase in enrolments, highlights the potential of East Africa as an emerging recruitment region.
We’ve talked a lot about Kenya recently, and written a blog diving into what we’re seeing from this market
- Kenya’s dominance in East Africa, now accounting for 80% of universities on our platform recruiting from the region
- The diversity of recruitment channels: 80% of Kenyan students apply through agents, supported by over 40 agents on our platform
- The standout growth at some institutions, with one university reporting a 700% year-on-year increase in Kenyan enrollments
Read the full blog on Kenya here.
13th of December: January'25 Intake India’s International Student Numbers
As of December 6th, deposits in India are down year-over-year by 9.06%, and CAS issuance has dropped by 20.79%. This marks a significant contrast to the growth trends we’re observing in other South Asian regions like Bangladesh and Nepal, which are showing promising increases.
These shifts highlight the dynamic nature of international student recruitment and the need for tailored strategies to address challenges and opportunities across different markets.
14th of December: 37 countries boast a 100% deposit-to-CAS issued conversion rate
Our January’25 intake data reveals some fascinating insights about the diversity of this intake. Currently, 37 countries boast a 100% deposit-to-CAS issued conversion rate.
This figure highlights not only the dedication from applicants in these regions, but also the efficiency of admissions teams in managing the process as a whole. Could automation tools like CAS Shield be one of the keys to this efficiency?
Speaking of efficiency, have you read our blog about the unsung heroes of international student recruitment? Read it here!
15th of December: Deposits are coming from 700 different agents
Our January’25 intake data highlights the crucial role agents play in international student recruitment. With deposits coming from about 700 different agents, this shows the crucial role they play in the recruitment process.
Interestingly, the top 15 agents account for a significant 61.19% of all deposits, showcasing their influence in shaping the intake.
16th of December: 17% of deposits and 25% of CAS were issued in the final three weeks before the average intake close date
Our September 2024 intake data showed that 17% of deposits and 25% of CAS were issued in the final three weeks before the average intake close date. What does this tell us about student behaviour as deadlines approach?
Does this trend suggest that deadline extensions play a key role in supporting students and maximising enrolments? Or do they add unnecessary pressure to already busy admissions teams? With late-stage decisions becoming such a key factor, how can institutions better manage the final weeks of the intake cycle?
Our blog post explores this in detail. Read it here!
17th of December: Postgraduate Research (PGR) 45% yoy growth
Our latest data reveals a 45% year-over-year increase in international students choosing Postgraduate Research (PGR) studies in the UK.
What’s contributing to this growth?
A key factor could be the UK Graduate Route visa:
- PGR graduates can stay for 3 years post-study to work, compared to 2 years for Undergraduate (UG) and Taught Postgraduate (PGT) students
- PGR students are also the only group eligible to bring dependents
This extended post-study work period, combined with the ability to bring family, makes the UK a particularly attractive choice for international students pursuing research opportunities.
Policy stability has likely played a role, too. In May 2024, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) reaffirmed that the Graduate Route has not been widely abused and recommended no changes. This consistency helps build confidence in the UK as a destination for higher education and long-term career opportunities.
But it does raise a question:
Are we doing enough to market the UK’s world-class research opportunities to international students?
18th of December: January’25 deposits are up 24.92% & CAS Issuances are up by 12.43% YOY, does this mean the January Intake is growing overall?
Yes, the January intake is showing significant proportional growth, with deposits up 24.92% YoY and CAS issuance increasing 12.43% YoY. While it remains a secondary intake, its rising importance suggests that January is becoming a strategic period for many institutions.
What’s driving:
- Regional agility: markets like Kenya, Nepal, and Nigeria are leveraging the January intake to address previous capacity constraints and visa delays.
- Postgraduate & research expansion: Postgraduate research programs are experiencing renewed interest, with deposits up 130.33% YoY, creating opportunities for enhanced research capacities.
- Student experience: offering students flexibility and a viable alternative to adjust their timelines due to financial or visa challenges improves the student experience
What does this growth mean for the industry?
- Diversification of recruitment strategies: The January intake is allowing institutions to tap into non-traditional markets
- Slight resilience against seasonality: A stronger January intake ensures a more even distribution of enrolment activity across the academic year, providing stability in revenues and operations
The growth of the January intake is a promising trend. Universities can expand recruitment efforts, tailoring student services, and addressing market-specific needs. By doing more to support and optimise this intake, institutions can unlock new opportunities and strengthen their global reputation in an increasingly competitive landscape.
19th of December: Well over 1,950 course titles! Showcasing the creativity of UK institutions.
Our January 2025 intake data reveals students are enrolling in an incredible variety of 1,954 different course titles across institutions. This impressive diversity highlights the creativity and innovation of the UK Higher Education sector, as universities continue to tailor their offerings to attract and inspire student interests.
Such a breadth of choice is a testament to the sector’s ability to evolve and remain a global leader, helping the UK stand out as a top destination for international students.
With so much on offer, universities play a crucial role in guiding students toward courses that align with their goals, providing clarity and confidence in their decisions.
This achievement deserves to be celebrated - it reflects the hard work, agility and creative approach our institutions are applying to international student recruitment.
20th of December: 20+ Pain points, solved in one platform
Behind every seamless international student journey is a university tackling countless obstacles and challenges. From compliance complexities, to finance plans to managing agent and student communications, the pain points probably often feel endless.
Our university partners handle them with ease and grace.
📽️ Today, we’re spotlighting 20 pain points our platform solves for our partners.
Enroly empowers institutions to:
✅ Automate tedious admin tasks
✅ Enhance student and agent experiences
✅ Ensure 100% compliance with UKVI regulations
✅ Simplify workflows
🔗🎬🍿 Watch the video to see how our partners describe the pain-points they are able to tackle with Enroly.
With one platform, you can solve these 20 (+ more) challenges, unlocking time, clarity, and confidence to focus on what really matters: your students.
21st of December: 18,000 students supported and 30,000 interviews assessed
During the September ‘24 Intake the Enroly team supported 18,000 students through interviews, highlighting both the scale of work and the importance of this critical stage in the recruitment process. But with increasing demand, how can institutions ensure efficiency without compromising quality?
Here are a few top tips we’ve identified:
- Automation tools: Simplify scheduling, reminders, and follow-ups.
- Standardised frameworks: Ensure consistent, fair assessments.
- Data Insights: Identify trends and areas for improvement.
- Feedback loops: Use applicant feedback to refine processes.
This growing volume shows the sector’s strength in managing scale, but as demand rises, streamlined processes will be key to maintaining quality and enhancing the student experience.
22nd of December: Are Universities maximising their Intake timelines?
On Day 16, we highlighted how much business happens in the final three weeks of an intake. But what about the beginning? Opening intakes as early as possible can be just as critical for success.
📅 In January 2025, universities using CAS Shield opened their intakes 3.6 months ahead of the course start date.
📅 By comparison, for September 2024, the average was 5.3 months in advance.
With the September 2025 intake just around the corner, there’s a huge opportunity to make the most of the full 6-month CAS issuance window.
Early openings mean smoother processes, more time to manage compliance, and a better experience for students. Are you ready to take full advantage?
23rd of December: 23 Features & Enhancements in 2024
This year, we’ve been busy enhancing Enroly CAS Shield to further transform how universities onboard international students. Here's a glimpse of the 23 ways we’ve enhanced and upgraded:
🚀 Enhanced automation: Automations for stages, tags, and web hooks
✨ Streamlined processes: Student file redesign, interview improvements, and document rejection upgrades
📊 Even smarter Data Insights: Subject trends, package levels, and insights for pathways
🌟 Improved usability: Dark mode, sidebar collapse, and accessibility updates
📥 Operational upgrades: Import manager overhaul, Messenger UI, and Config redesign
📈 Game-Changing Additions: Payment integration
Behind these launches is a commitment to making the complex simple, the challenging achievable, and your workflows seamless.
24th of December: Reflecting on 2024 & looking to 2025
As the year comes to a close, let’s take a moment to reflect on the challenges universities overcame in 2024 and what the future might hold.
📉 The September 2024 intake saw:
- Deposits down 24.14% YoY
- CAS issued down 26.27% YoY
📈 But the January 2025 intake is looking brighter:
- Deposits are up 27.21%
- CAS issued are up 17.01%
Could this be a sign of positive momentum heading into the new year?
Thank you for following along with our Advent Calendar this December—we hope you’ve enjoyed exploring these insights and data points.
Whatever the landscape, Enroly will continue to deliver real-time data insights, helping universities stay informed, agile, and ready to navigate the year ahead.
Here’s to 2025 being full of opportunities and growth!
