Global Surveys on Internationalization
Global Surveys are the flagship research activity of the IAU strategic priority on Internationalization. The IAU has produced six Global Surveys to date (2003, 2005, 2010, 2014, 2019, 2024). The six editions of the Global Survey serve as foundational documents of internationalization research, providing insights into the trends, challenges, and opportunities related to internationalization.
When conducting Global Surveys, the IAU draws on the expertise of an Advisory Committee.
The reports generated from these surveys act as a catalyst for dialogue and hold seminal importance in the field of international higher education. They serve as reference points for policymakers, educators, and institutions worldwide. Researchers and experts frequently cite these reports when discussing matters related to global academic collaboration, student mobility, curriculum internationalization, and cross-cultural engagement.
Internationalization of Higher Education: Current Trends and Future Scenarios
The 6th IAU Global Survey on Internationalization
The years between publication of the 5th and 6th editions of the Global Survey on Internationalization witnessed a pandemic, an important shift in geopolitical relations, and a worsening of some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity (climate change and sustainable development, a resurgence of war, and forced displacement of populations, just to mention a few). At the same time, scientific and technological development have continued to make great advances, especially in the field of communication technologies, with the improvement of virtual communication tools and the progression of artificial intelligence. All these changes are reflected in higher education and its internationalization.
In line with previous surveys, the 6th edition aims to understand the current state of play of internationalization, its recent changes, and its possible future development from an institutional point of view. The 6th IAU Global Survey on the Internationalization of Higher Education, conducted in 2023, received responses from 722 higher education institutions (HEIs) in 110 countries and territories. The resulting survey report analyses the findings in order to present both global and regional trends. Furthermore, the report compares current findings with data from the IAU’s previous Global Surveys on Internationalization in order to explore long-term changes occurring in the internationalization field.
The study highlights interesting comparisons between private and public HEIs across different regions and looks for common understandings of the potential benefits, risks, and challenges facing internationalization at the global level. The report further provides insights into intersectional aspects of internationalization in teaching and learning, research and society/community engagement, and links between internationalization and societal priorities such as sustainable development, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In doing so, the 6th IAU Global Survey paints a picture of the current state of internationalization around the world, its recent transformations, and its possible evolutions moving forward.
Additional Resources
French Translation
La 6ème Enquête mondiale de l’AIU sur l’internationalisation de l’enseignement supérieur est maintenant disponible en français. Téléchargez une copie ici ou lisez le résumé ici.
Spanish Translation
Se espera que la traducción al español del informe se publique en otoño de 2025.
Interactive Dashboard:
Victor J. Fuentes Fuentes, Universidad Católica del Maule, Chile developed a dynamic and interactive dashboard which allows users to explore data from the 6th IAU Global Survey on Internationalization in an engaging and accessible way. Access the dashboard here.
Facts in Figures
Graphic booklets presenting the findings of the survey are available here.
Sponsors and partners
The IAU extends our gratitude to the following sponsorsing partners:
And to the following organizational partners:
Previous Editions of the Survey
IAU 1st Global Survey (2003) - Internationalization of Higher Education: Practices and Priorities.
Learn more.IAU 2nd Global Survey (2005) - Internationalization of Higher Education - New Directions, New Challenges.
Learn more.IAU 3rd Global Survey (2010) - Internationalization of Higher Education: Global Trends, Regional Perspectives.
Learn more.IAU 4th Global Survey (2014) - Internationalization of Higher Education: Growing Expectations, Fundamental Values
Learn more.IAU 5th Global Survey (2019) - Internationalization of Higher Education: An Evolving Landscape, Locally and Globally
Learn more.
All Global Surveys
The IAU regularly conducts surveys and produces reports on three of its priority areas: Internationalization, Sustainable Development, and Digital Transformation. In addition, the Association occasionally produces situation specific surveys and reports.
Covid-19 Surveys
From 2020-2021, the IAU monitored the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Higher Education. Two global surveys were conducted in order to track changes in higher education institutions behavior in response to the pandemic and its effects. In particular, these surveys and their corresponding reports focused on the impact of the pandemic on universities digital transformation and internationalization policies and practices.
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Almost all responding HEIs declared that they have been impacted one way or another by the COVID-19 crisis. The report presents a general assessment of the situation in universities globally and explores different aspects of the impact of COVID-19, such as: teaching & learning, research, community engagement and other key challenges and opportunities.
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2nd IAU Global Survey (March 2022)
In 2021, the IAU conducted the Second Global Survey to monitor the impact of the pandemic on higher education. The Survey Report offers a comprehensive picture of how higher education institutions have been affected by the difficult conditions under which they were operating during the pandemic. The report covers a broad institutional perspective, looking at governance, teaching and learning, research and community and societal engagement. 496 higher education institutions from 112 countries and territories responded to the survey. The report presents the results at the global level as well as by region. It also compares trends among public and private higher education institutions. It uncovers worrisome tendencies both in terms of funding and research, but it also reveals several transformations and opportunities that may have positive effects beyond the pandemic.