Programme - UKENIC26 Annual Conference

The Fraud Panel
Fraud remains one of the most persistent challenges facing international education, but the risks facing institutions are changing rapidly.

As advances in AI and digital technologies reshape both the methods used by fraudsters and the tools available to identify them, admissions and compliance teams are operating in a more complex environment than ever before.

Alongside evolving recruitment patterns and the influence of BCA metrics on institutional decision-making, staying ahead of emerging risks has become increasingly challenging.

Returning to explore the latest developments affecting the sector, this year's fraud panel brings together experts to share practical responses, lessons learnt from the frontline and the latest insights into fraud trends.

In the spirit of previous fraud panels, discussions will be open, honest and collaborative, with a heavy emphasis on group contributions.

What does the IES mean for international students?
The UK's International Education Strategy sets out an ambitious vision for growth, global engagement and the long-term success of international education. But how does this translate into the day-to-day experiences of international students?

This panel brings together international students to share their perspectives on studying and living in the UK, exploring the opportunities, challenges and expectations that shape their educational journey.

From arrival and integration to academic support, wellbeing, employability and life after graduation, panellists will reflect on what has worked well and where further improvements are needed.

Through open discussion and personal insight, the session will examine what constitutes an excellent international student experience and how institutions can ensure that student voices inform policy, practice and internationalisation strategies.

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of international students and hear directly about the priorities that matter most to those the IES ultimately seeks to support.

The Student Voice Panel
This panel tackles a question at the heart of UK higher education: what does it really mean to be an international student today?

International students are frequently celebrated as global talent, cultural ambassadors and vital contributors to the economy. Yet their experiences are shaped by a complex landscape of immigration policy, compliance requirements, recruitment targets, academic expectations and public debate.

Against a backdrop of changing government policy, increasing scrutiny of student outcomes, rapid technological change and often polarised discussions about migration, how welcomed and supported do international students actually feel?

This session will explore the realities of the international student journey, from arrival to graduation. Panellists will examine the impact of compliance measures and sector performance metrics, the challenges of adapting to new academic and cultural environments, and the support institutions provide to help students succeed.

Topics will include English language and academic skills development, culture shock and belonging, the growing role of artificial intelligence in learning, evolving expectations around academic integrity, and the changing digital landscape of higher education.

Beyond the Big Four: what's next for international student mobility?
The international education landscape is changing rapidly. As students consider a growing range of destinations both within and beyond the traditional "Big Four", competition for internationally mobile learners is increasing as more countries expand their offering.

New education hubs, regional study opportunities and transnational education models are creating alternative pathways for students seeking international experience.

This session explores what the UK needs to be aware of and how it can remain an attractive destination in a more competitive market .

Our speakers will speak about emerging destinations, and consider how responsible internationalisation, partnerships and TNE might help to shape the UK's future long-term ambitions.

Education under emergencies: supporting access, resilience, and recovery
Armed conflict, environmental disasters, and other emergencies can severely disrupt access to education, creating significant challenges for learners, educators, and institutions.

As the frequency and complexity of these crises increase, the education sector is exploring ways to support affected populations, maintain learning opportunities, and strengthen institutional resilience.

This panel brings together experts from across the sector to share perspectives on how education systems, institutions, governments, and international partners are responding to emergency and post-emergency contexts.

Drawing on international examples, panellists will highlight initiatives that support refugees, displaced learners, and those whose education has been disrupted by conflict, climate-related events, or other crises.

The session will explore a range of approaches, including transnational education partnerships, flexible and digital learning models, qualifications recognition, learner mobility pathways, and capacity-building initiatives.

Particular attention will be given to the role of qualifications recognition in supporting educational access and progression for displaced learners, as set out in the Global Recognition Convention.

Solutions including the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR) and other innovative approaches that help individuals continue their education when documentation is incomplete or unavailable will be discussed.

So you want to get a degree. Now what?
For generations, it seems that the answer to career progression was simple: go to university and earn a degree.

Today, learners have more options than ever before. As people seek greater flexibility, choice and opportunities to develop new skills throughout their careers, what might a more personalised future for higher education look like?

This session explores how education is evolving to offer a wider range of learning pathways alongside traditional degree programmes, and how institutions are responding to changing learner expectations.

The Data Panel
Making sense of the numbers. Discussing the data seems very much a central pillar of conversation in international education.

From looking at student demand, application volumes and enrolments, to determining the effects of compliance, assessing graduate outcomes and access to the jobs market, student and study related data is very much at the centre of planning .

Yet making sense of that data is not always straightforward. Headline figures can tell one story, while the explanations that lie behind them may tell another.

To kick off the conversation at UK ENIC 26, we're bringing together a panel of sector experts to take a look at the data from their day-to-day work.

We'll take a look through some of the trends, speculate as to the underlying causes and pick out trends and patterns that most stand out.

Our esteemed panellist will talk about what they are currently seeing, what the sector needs to be aware of and where they think international education is heading!

TNE without borders, not without equity
Transnational education (TNE) has expanded significantly over the past two decades, creating new opportunities for international collaboration, capacity building and access to globally recognised qualifications.

Yet its growth has also attracted increasing scrutiny for reproducing colonial patterns of knowledge exchange, power imbalances and educational dependency.

When TNE is conceived primarily as the export of curricula, standards and institutional models, it risks reinforcing historical inequalities rather than addressing them. This session explores how TNE can move beyond models of educational export towards approaches grounded in equity, reciprocity and shared ownership.

Challenging assumptions that internationalisation flows predominantly from the Global North to the Global South, it will examine what genuinely equitable partnerships look like in practice and how institutions can create collaborations that deliver long-term value for all partners.

The discussion will consider how clarity of purpose, shared definitions of success and respect for local contexts can strengthen partnership design and implementation. These factors are increasingly important as institutions seek to position TNE not simply as a mechanism for growth, but as a strategic enabler of educational, societal and institutional goals.

The session argues that equitable partnerships are both an ethical imperative and a strategic necessity. Sustainable TNE depends on mutual trust, effective governance, institutional commitment and a willingness to learn in both directions.

By defining success beyond enrolment numbers to include educational outcomes, innovation, capacity strengthening and societal impact, institutions can build partnerships that are more resilient, inclusive and sustainable.

Ultimately, the session invites participants to reimagine TNE as a collaborative endeavour rooted in shared purpose and mutual benefit.

Making it count: recognition and TNE
As transnational education (TNE) continues to grow, institutions must consider whether graduates' qualifications will be recognised for employment and further study.

Failure to address recognition can limit graduate opportunities and create financial, reputational and regulatory risks for providers, while weakening confidence in the UK TNE offer.

This session argues that recognition should be central to TNE due diligence. Panellists will share practical approaches to identifying and mitigating recognition risks during programme development, drawing on real-world examples to demonstrate how qualifications can be designed for recognition and portability across jurisdictions.

Discussion will cover host-country recognition requirements, quality assurance arrangements, regulated professions, lessons from other TNE providers, and the role of UK ENIC and other stakeholders in supporting recognition outcomes.

Not my problem? Collaboration from set-up to closure in TNE partnerships
Issues in transnational education partnerships rarely start where they show up.

After a brief introduction to TNE and its main types, how the UK Quality Code for Higher Education frames partnership work and the stages of the partnership journey, participants will work through scenarios drawn from the sector.

The scenarios will be considered through the lens of different university roles, such as admissions, recruitment, registry and others.

Together we will explore what went wrong, where the issues began and how teams across the university can work together to prevent or remedy them.

We will also look in more detail at what to consider when a partnership closes and reflect on lessons learnt in managing partnerships.

The UK ENIC Quiz: a year in numbers
How well do you know the latest trends in international education?

Join UK ENIC for an interactive, quiz-style session that puts your knowledge to the test through live polls, data challenges and a healthy dose of friendly competition.

Through audience participation, delegates will be invited to predict the trends behind a year of UK ENIC data.

Which countries have seen the biggest growth and biggest decline in enquiries? Which country generated the most views on our database? Which qualification level generated the most requests?

And most importantly, what do these trends tell us about the changing international landscape?

With live voting and the chance to climb the leaderboard and win prizes, each question will be followed by analysis, insight and discussion as we explore the stories behind the statistics.

The rest is recognition…insights from the UK ENIC team
Drawing on the expertise from UK ENIC's Research, Data and Insights team, this session will explore some of the key challenges and misconceptions confronting the recognition of international qualifications.

What do we mean by 'substantial differences'? And why exactly is that qualification comparable to a level 6 in the UK?

Using examples drawn from questions regularly raised by members, the session will explain the key terminology and principles underpinning UK ENIC's recognition and comparability work, and highlight major updates in UK ENIC's methodology that may affect stakeholders.

Middle East and North Africa
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is characterised by rapid educational development, increasing internationalisation and a diverse range of qualification systems.

For admissions, recognition and international education professionals, keeping pace with change can be both essential and challenging.

This regional spotlight brings together expertise from UK ENIC and the British Council to provide an accessible overview of current developments affecting student recruitment, qualification recognition and transnational education (TNE) across MENA.

Drawing on regional intelligence, qualification expertise and practical case studies, speakers will explore trends in UK-bound student mobility, significant developments in education systems and qualifications, evolving TNE activity and key considerations when assessing applications from across the region.

Attendees will gain insight into recent changes, emerging opportunities and common challenges, while developing greater confidence in navigating applications and qualifications from one of the world's most diverse and dynamic education regions.

English-speaking Africa
English-speaking African countries are playing an increasingly significant role in global higher education, driven by demographic growth, expanding access to education, growing international engagement, and evolving qualification frameworks.

As student mobility patterns shift and educational systems continue to develop, admissions and recognition professionals need a nuanced understanding of this diverse and rapidly changing region.

This regional spotlight brings together expertise from UK ENIC and AfaraEd to explore key developments shaping higher education across Anglophone Africa.

Drawing on regional knowledge, qualification expertise and sector experience, speakers will examine trends in student mobility, developments in education systems and qualifications, growing international partnerships and the changing landscape for higher education institutions across the region.

Through practical examples and regional insights, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of common admissions and recognition considerations, emerging opportunities for engagement and the factors influencing educational development across some of the world's most dynamic education markets.

How secure is your English test? Understanding threats, the layered response and the practical role of recognising organisations

Delivered by IELTS

Organised examination fraud, identity impersonation and technology enabled cheating continues to evolve, creating risks for institutions that rely on English language results for admissions and high consequence decisions.

This session will outline the main threats facing high stakes testing today and explain how IELTS addresses them through a layered, defence in depth approach.

It will cover end-to-end security, identity verification and test day controls, post-test scrutiny, intelligence and data analysis, and the specialist capability that supports continuous improvement.

Attendees will leave with practical tips on how recognising organisations can play a crucial role in protecting the integrity of the scores they accept.

The session will draw on real (annonymised) patterns, and will reinforce that robust security protects genuine candidates and the institutions that depend on reliable results.

Beyond trust: finding the evidence behind English language tests

Delivered by Cambridge

How confident are you in the English language tests your institution accepts?

In a changing admissions landscape, where compliance requirements and scrutiny continue to grow, admissions professionals are under greater pressure to justify their decisions.

This session will examine the factors that matter when evaluating English language tests and offer practical guidance to support evidence-based decision-making.

The session will reference the BUILA-BALEAP English Language Good Practice Guide and the newly launched Cambridge English Evidence Base.

You'll leave with useful insights, questions to consider and ideas you can share with colleagues as part of your institution's review processes.

AI in Action: A responsible playbook for international admission

Delivered by Acumen, part of Sannam S4 group

Is your international admissions strategy keeping pace with technology without compromising compliance?

As universities weigh AI adoption against security concerns, moving from evaluation to execution requires a proven playbook.

This practical session cuts through the noise, delivering a hands-on, phased implementation framework built specifically for international admissions.

Discover where to start, how to set up non-negotiable risk checkpoints, and how to harness advanced AI to streamline assessments and recruitment - all while keeping your team firmly in control.

Erasmus+ and the student experience
For many students, studying, training or volunteering abroad can be a transformative experience. Yet barriers such as cost, visas and access can limit participation in international mobility.

This panel explores how Erasmus+ helps students gain international experience, demonstrate language competence and develop the skills needed for a globalised world.

Alongside these individual benefits, the discussion will examine the wider value of Erasmus+ to the UK, asking what outward mobility contributes to international partnerships, skills development and global engagement, particularly when the UK receives significantly more participants than it sends.

Discussion hub - the admissions office of 2030
What will admissions look like at the end of this decade?

As technology advances, learner pathways become more diverse, and expectations around speed, transparency and personalised support continue to grow, admissions teams face important questions about how their roles, processes and services will evolve.

This interactive discussion hub invites admissions professionals from higher and further education to explore the future of admissions and identify the innovations that could have the greatest impact by 2030.

Together, participants will consider emerging trends, including artificial intelligence, digital credentials, international student recruitment, widening participation, and changing approaches to qualification recognition and assessment.

Working in groups, delegates will be challenged to design a practical innovation that they believe should be in place by 2030.

Whether focused on technology, policy, process, student experience or professional practice, each idea will contribute to a shared vision of the future admissions office.

Join colleagues from across the sector to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions and help shape what admissions could become over the next five years.

What does the Global Recognition Convention mean for institutions?
International admissions teams navigate an increasingly complex landscape of qualifications, grading systems and applicant pathways from around the world.

But what happens when there is no established recognition agreement, limited information about a qualification or applications arrive from emerging education systems?

This fireside chat discusses the UNESCO Global Recognition Convention, which is the first worldwide treaty on higher education recognition, designed to make the recognition of qualifications fairer, more transparent and more consistent across borders.

While admissions professionals may never encounter it directly, its influence is growing as more countries join the Convention and embed its principles into national policy and practice.

This session offers a practical introduction to the Convention and, more importantly, why it matters for UK universities. We will explore how the Convention supports trusted international mobility, promotes transparent and evidence-based admissions decisions, and encourages a shift from asking why a qualification should be recognised to whether there is a substantial reason not to recognise it.

Participants will discover how the Convention connects to admissions challenges, from assessing unfamiliar qualifications to supporting applicants with complex educational journeys.

This session will help you understand a major global development that is shaping the future of qualification recognition and opening new opportunities for international student mobility.

The BCA balancing act
How do institutions make confident decisions when every option carries risk?

As BCA metrics, recruitment pressures and compliance requirements reshape international education, institutions are increasingly required to balance competing priorities, including growth versus risk, diversification versus familiarity, speed versus due diligence and ambition versus stability.

This session will explore real-world scenarios that require institutions to navigate difficult trade-offs.

Through structured discussion, peer learning and collaborative problem-solving, participants will test different approaches, share experiences from across the sector and explore practical strategies for balancing compliance, sustainability and growth.

Discussion hub - staff wellbeing at times of change and challenge
Admissions, student recruitment and partnerships teams are no strangers to pressure.

From increasing application volumes and changing policy landscapes to evolving technologies, shifting student expectations and peak-cycle demands, the pace of change can place significant demands on staff wellbeing and resilience.

This interactive discussion hub provides a space to step back, reflect and learn from one another.

What are the biggest challenges facing admissions teams today? Which pressures have the greatest impact on staff wellbeing?

What approaches are institutions already using to support colleagues and where are the gaps?

Through facilitated discussion and shared experiences, honest conversation and peer exchange, delegates will explore practical strategies for supporting wellbeing at both individual and team levels.

Together, participants will consider how managers and colleagues can build resilient, connected teams that are better equipped to navigate uncertainty and change.

Join fellow professionals to explore how we can better support ourselves, our teams and each other in a profession that continues to evolve.