Position Paper 1 - International Student Recruitment

 The University of Central Arkansas vs. 

The University of Manchester 


No matter what university you attend, there will be students from other areas of the world. It is always a pleasure to talk to international students and discuss where they are from and why they chose to attend a college so far from their home. Whether it be sports, an interest in the area, scholarship, or an opportunity to further their interest in their prospective fields, international students are targeted or recruited to attend a university. Colleges in the United States and abroad have specific strategies for recruiting students from other countries. As someone who attends college in the United States, I wonder how international colleges recruit students from different countries and how their recruitment strategy compares to that of an American college. Two colleges that I found comparable are The University of Central Arkansas and The University of Manchester. 

University of Central Arkansas 

The University of Central Arkansas, UCA, is a public college located in Conway Arkansas and one of the state's oldest colleges. I have friends who attend UCA, and I have visited the campus before. I chose UCA due to its reputation and ability to recruit international students. 


UCA has students from about 80 countries as of the 2021-2022 school year. The international students are guided through the admissions process via The Center for Global Learning and Engagement. The center also ensures that international students have the "best possible learning and living experience" at UCA through their program called "Global Welcome." UCA gives international students a "Global Welcome" by:

  • Hosting families
  • New Student Check-In and Move-In
  • Introducing the campus and student services
  • Academic advising
  • Class registration 
  • Providing international students with airport transportation
  • Providing additional shopping shuttles and activities 

Click Image for Brochure Options
UCA wants international students to know what they can offer them on campus. It can be difficult for them to be far away from home, and they want to make the transition easier for them. One way UCA does this is through its brochures. The brochure mentions UCA's top programs and information about Conway and why they should choose UCA. The booklet also highlights the university's campus life. Multiple brochures highlight different programs for graduates and undergraduates. 

There are scholarships available specifically for international students, including the International Student Merit Scholarship, Out of State Tuition Scholarship, and the Global Citizen Scholarship. Each brochure highlights information on each scholarship and how much it will cost to attend the university.  




The Center for Global Learning and Engagement also has social media accounts on several platforms. These platforms include Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. UCA Global's social media contains information and announcements for all international students on their campus. For example, on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, they post about upcoming events and opportunities for students. 


The center's YouTube page shares UCA's clubs and organizations along with interviews from international students. The page has not had an upload in a while; however, this does not make the content less effective in recruiting students worldwide. 



University of Manchester 

The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, England. The University of Manchester recruits international students through the International Development Division. 



According to the International Development Division website, it is responsible for the "delivery of the university’s Global Influence Strategy including the recruitment of international students, the development of international partnerships and relationships which enhance the university’s global reputation and increase the quality and impact of our research." 

There are two teams under the International Development Division. These teams include The International Office and International Relations. The International Office is responsible for planning recruitment events overseas. According to the website: 
"The team supports academic schools by sharing knowledge and providing information about the international market and manages the University’s international agent portfolio and relationships with key international government sponsors."

The International Relations team is responsible for the arrival of international students, equity and merit scholarships, and sponsor engagement. Within the International Relations team is the International Programmes office. The office is in charge of promoting the valuable and positive experience of studying abroad. According to the website, they: 

"provide information, advice and guidance on the various programmes available and handle the administration of the Exchange, Erasmus and Study Abroad programmes."

The University offers much information for international students regarding scholarships, accommodation, support, finances, and more. 

Click Image to View the International Student Website

The University of Manchester has students from 160 countries. Under the "why study in the UK?" tab on the university's website, they give several bullet points about why studying abroad can be beneficial. These bullet points include: 

  • Learn Valuable Skills
  • Range and Choice
  • Quality and Teaching 
  • Student Life 
  • English Language Learning 
The University of Manchester is very detailed when recruiting students from other parts of the world. They share every detail possible to understand precisely what they are getting into by leaving their country to study abroad. For example, they shed light on the British education system and the Manchester experience. There are also international student profiles where international students tell others about their experiences. 


The University of Central Arkansas and the University of Manchester both have excellent international recruitment strategies. Their ability to recruit students is evident in the number of students they recruit worldwide. Although both universities are different in size and location, their recruiting strategies are effective. 

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