Recruitment

How to maximize your international recruitment budget in 2026

October 9, 2025
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In today's competitive academic landscape, universities must adopt innovative recruitment strategies to attract international students. This blog explores how to maximize recruitment budgets using flexible models like UnivAssist's full tours, add-ons, and Hop-Ons.

The growing importance of international student recruitment

As the global landscape of higher education continues to evolve, international student recruitment has become more critical than ever. Universities around the world are increasingly seeking to diversify their student populations, enhance cultural exchange, and boost their global rankings. In 2026, the competition for international students is expected to intensify, necessitating innovative and cost-effective recruitment strategies.

Attracting students from abroad not only enriches the academic environment but also contributes significantly to the financial health of universities. With the right strategies in place, institutions can maximize their recruitment budget and ensure a strong return on investment. This is where UnivAssist's flexible and comprehensive recruitment models come into play.

Understanding UnivAssist’s flexible recruitment models

UnivAssist offers a suite of tailored recruitment solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of universities. Their approach is built on three main components: Full Tours, Add-Ons, and the Hop-On model. Each of these components are designed to be customized to fit the specific requirements and budgets of institutions, ensuring a more strategic and effective recruitment process.

Unlike traditional recruitment models that often require a significant upfront investment and commitment to a fixed itinerary, UnivAssist's flexible structure allows universities to choose how and where they spend their resources. This adaptability is particularly beneficial for institutions with limited budgets or those looking to target specific regions more intensively.

Core tours: the foundation of effective recruitment

Tours form the backbone of UnivAssist's recruitment offerings. These are meticulously planned programs that involve scheduled visits to multiple high schools across a region (expecting about 3 school visits per day). Universities have the opportunity to meet directly with students and counselors, participate in welcome events, and benefit from comprehensive logistical support, including transportation and orientation.

The tours are designed to provide maximum exposure and engagement in key markets. By participating in these tours, universities can build strong relationships with high schools and create a lasting impression on potential students. This foundational approach ensures that institutions can effectively reach a large audience with a well-organized and impactful presence.

Enhancing recruitment with add-ons

To further enhance the effectiveness of recruitment efforts, UnivAssist offers a range of optional Add-Ons that can be integrated with Full Tours. These Add-Ons include:

1. Marketing & Data add-on: This provides a printed handout distributed to students and counselors and gives universities access to student engagement data for follow-up. This data-driven approach enables institutions to track leads and measure the success of their recruitment activities.

2. Travel add-on: Covering flights and local travel between cities on the tour, this Add-On simplifies logistics and ensures that university representatives can focus on their recruitment efforts without worrying about travel arrangements.

3. Accommodation add-on: This includes pre-booked hotel accommodations during the tour, providing convenience and comfort for university representatives.

These Add-Ons allow universities to tailor their recruitment efforts to their specific needs, ensuring a more efficient and cost-effective process.

The Hop-On model: tailored recruitment solutions

For institutions with limited time or budget, UnivAssist's Hop-On model offers a highly flexible and targeted solution. This model allows universities to join a tour in specific cities only, paying only for the segments they participate in. Despite the limited scope, universities still receive full logistical support during these segments.

The Hop-On model is ideal for universities looking to make a strategic impact in key markets without the commitment of a full tour. It provides a cost-effective way to maintain a presence in important regions and connect with potential students and counselors. By leveraging this model, institutions can optimize their recruitment budget and achieve their international enrollment goals.

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To further incentivize participation, UnivAssist offers a promotion: Register for any recruitment tour and receive a 50% discount on WebiFairs, their virtual student recruitment platform. This allows universities to complement their in-person efforts with digital outreach, expanding their global reach even further.

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