WHAT WE DO

Services for education suppliers

Develop your marketing and business development strategy with reliable and trusted market data and intelligence on international schools to increase your reach and inform your strategy. 

THE MARKET TODAY

International schools market growth

10 year comparison

SCHOOLS

%

9,402 in January 2014
14,010 in January 2024

STUDENTS

%

4.5m in January 2014
6.9m in January 2024

STAFF

%

423,269 in January 2014
664,645 in January 2024

FEE INCOME

%

$35.5bn in January 2014
$60.9bn in January 2024

LIVE DATA PORTAL

Increase your reach

ISC Outreach is the easiest way to stay abreast of the latest international schools market updates. Our live data portal provides the data and intelligence you need to support your lead generation activities, grow your network, or refine your market segmentation and strategy. 

The portal features an analysis tool and a dynamic dashboard which displays key data points and a regional breakdown of international schools. ISC Outreach also provides access to a searchable database which includes data on over 14,000 international schools, contact details of 70,000 school staff across all functions and seniority levels, information on more than 500 school groups, and details of school associations and accreditations, including their member schools. 

Find out more about ISC Outreach.

Already an ISC Outreach user? Click the button below to access the portal.

INTELLIGENCE

International schools market reports

Whether you need global intelligence to inform your strategy, country-specific commercial intelligence to adjust your plans, or specialist intelligence to learn more about practices and market needs, we offer a broad range of off-the-shelf reports based on in-depth research. 

Age range and demographics 2023 report

TitleFEBRUARY 2024

This report aims to provide insight into the age range and demographics of international schools worldwide. Understanding these aspects is crucial as they not only reflect the current state of the market but also hint at potential opportunities ... Read more

What data tells us about the international schools market

TitleFEBRUARY 2024

The international school market is growing. In the last 5 years, the number of schools has increased by 8% and the number of students attending by 10%. This equates to a rise in fee income of over $9 billion globally. Read more

Edruptors 2023: international education influencers of the year

TitleJANUARY 2024

Find out who's been recognised as an Edruptor of 2023. Our white paper includes a list of international education influencers who share good practice and social media advice for their peers. Read more

Thailand Market Intelligence Summary

TitleJANUARY 2024

Access must-know data and intelligence to inform your marketing and development strategy. Our commercial intelligence report provides condensed, yet essential research into the international school market in Thailand. Read more

International teacher recruitment and retention 2023

TitleNOVEMBER 2023

This specialist report analyses conversations with international school leaders and teachers over the past two years, on the shifts in teacher recruitment and retention patterns. Read more

International online schools

TitleOCTOBER 2023

In recent years, many brick and mortar schools are making the leap from traditional in-person classrooms to blended learning. Learn more about the unprecedented growth of the online schools market. Read more

International Schools Global Market Overview 2023

TitleAUGUST 2023

This report aims to equip you with valuable insights into the shifting market landscape that influences the development and growth of international schools. Read more

Europe Market Intelligence Summary

TitleJULY 2023

Access must-know data and intelligence to inform your marketing and development strategy. Our commercial intelligence report provides condensed, yet essential research into the international school market in Europe. Read more

China Market Intelligence Summary

TitleJUNE 2023

Access must-know data and intelligence to inform your marketing and development strategy. Our commercial intelligence report provides condensed, yet essential research into the international school market in China. Read more

UAE Market Intelligence Summary

TitleJUNE 2023

Access must-know data and intelligence to inform your marketing and development strategy. Our commercial intelligence report provides condensed, yet essential research into the international school market in the UAE. Read more

Listening to international student voices

TitleAPRIL 2023

International schools are recognised for the globally minded thinking they develop within students, but are they valuing the student voice to inform change within their community? Explore the outcomes of our research in this specialist report. Read more

Why more international schools keep opening

TitleFEBRUARY 2023

As new international schools keep opening year on year, we've explored the macro and micro-environmental factors influencing growth in the international schools market. Read more

Where is the international schools market growing?

TitleFEBRUARY 2023

This exclusive white paper explores where growth is occurring within today’s international schools market. Read more

South Korea Market Intelligence Summary

TitleJANUARY 2023

Access must-know data and intelligence to inform your marketing and development strategy. Our commercial intelligence report provides condensed, yet essential research into the international school market in South Korea. Read more

Edruptors 2022: international education influencers of the year

TitleJANUARY 2023

Find out who's been recognised as Edruptors of 2022. Our white paper includes a list of international education influencers who share good practice and social media advice for their peers. Read more

International school governance practices

TitleOCTOBER 2022

This specialist report highlights changes in governance practices in international schools in 2022, but also calls for further support of the school community. Read more

What makes the international schools market different?

TitleAUGUST 2022

How do English-medium international schools differ from domestic K-12 educational offerings and what does that mean for school admissions and education suppliers? Read more

International Schools Annual Market Report

TitleAUGUST 2022

A trusted reference for data, trends and intelligence on the global international schools market in 2022. Read more

Future of Assessment in International Schools

TitleMARCH 2022

This exclusive specialist report highlights the latest trends in K-12 international schools assessment and includes advice from experts and case studies highlighting opportunities and challenges. Read more

Edruptors 2021: the top international education influencers of the past year

TitleJANUARY 2022

Who are the opinion shapers within international education today? ISC Research has explored this question for the first time, identifying the key education influencers followed on social media platforms by people around the world. Read more

Purchasing plans: the decisions international schools make and how

TitleNOVEMBER 2021

This white paper summarises the outcomes of our research into the ways international schools make purchasing decisions, and provides education suppliers with insights to develop a strategic approach. Read more

The International School Student Profile

TitleNOVEMBER 2021

Based on research conducted with international school students, alumni and staff over the summer, this report explores the profile of students that international schools attract and how this has resulted in market shifts. Read more

Recruitment and CPD in international schools

TitleOCTOBER 2021

ISC Research explored international school staff recruitment and continuous professional development through research conducted with international schools, recruiters and providers. Learn the outcomes in our exclusive specialist report. Read more

International school college counsellors share views on student pathways to higher education

TitleSEPTEMBER 2021

This white paper complements our latest research report on the pathway from international schools to higher education by sharing the views of international school college counsellors on the research results. Read more

The Pathway from International School to Higher Education

TitleSEPTEMBER 2021

Research on the impact of recent macro-environmental factors on the international school student pathway to higher education, exploring changes institutions have made to their undergraduate admissions processes. Read more

Teaching and learning in international schools

TitleJULY 2021

ISC Research has conducted research into teaching and learning practice within international schools to identify if it will experience noticeable shifts within the next two years due to the impact of COVID or other factors. Read more

The growing demand for international schools within a mid-market fee point

TitleMAY 2021

Our team has done further research to help you better understand this growing segment of the global international schools market.  Read more

Wellbeing in international schools

TitleMARCH 2021

A report highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of students and staff in international schools. Read more

Why parents select an international school and the impact of COVID-19 on school choice

TitleFEBRUARY 2021

This white paper explores the common reasons why parents select an international school for their child and the impact of COVID-19 on their selection. Read more

Why and how independent schools open sister schools overseas and what next for this education sector?

TitleNOVEMBER 2020

Independent schools in the UK and United States are looking at diversification for alternative sources of income, one of which is foreign development. Read more

Inclusion in International Schools

TitleAUGUST 2020

This report uncovers research into inclusion in international schools over a period of 4 years. It sheds light on current inclusion practices, and provides understanding of how the international schools market has been adapting to the needs of ... Read more

Analysis of the historic response of the international schools market to local and global crises

TitleAPRIL 2020

In the light of COVID-19, this white paper highlights how the international schools market responded in times of crisis. Read more

Governance in international schools

TitleNOVEMBER 2019

ISC Research collaborated with the Principals Training Center to produce this first research published in 2019 into governance practices within international schools. Read more

SPONSORSHIP

Raise further awareness of your brand

ISC Research offers sponsorship opportunities for education suppliers wishing to improve the recognition of your brand within the international schools market. These may include advertising in International School Leader Magazine, sponsoring International School Awards or other ISC Research events, or supporting the production of specialist reports.

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OUR EXPERTISE

Market experts for 25+ years

ISC Research is the leading provider of English-medium K-12 international school data, trends and intelligence. We have been collecting market intelligence and data on international schools throughout the world since 1994.

We identify international schools using these criteria:

  • a privately operated school that has chosen to deliver a curriculum wholly or partly in English to some or all of its students between 3 and 18, in a country where English is not an official language; or
  • a privately operated school that delivers a curriculum other than the host country’s national curriculum wholly or partly in English to some or all of students between 3 and 18, in a country where English is an official language.

Regional breakdown of international schools
January 2024

  • Asia 57% 57%
  • Europe 14% 14%
  • Americas 15% 15%
  • Africa 12% 12%
  • Oceania 2% 2%

CASE STUDIES

Our support for education suppliers

EducatorsAbroad

EducatorsAbroad

Since 1978, a global network of professional educators at EducatorsAbroad have provided professional development for pre and in-service educators in over 1,650 national and international English medium schools in 95 countries. Read more

Schrole

Schrole

Schrole was developed by educators and is dedicated to international schools. Schrole makes the process of hiring and retaining staff simple, from finding and effortlessly onboarding quality candidates, to offering professional development ... Read more

GET IN TOUCH

Let's discuss your needs

We are dedicated and committed to supporting the broader international schools community by providing data, trends and intelligence. Since 1994, we have guided schools with their growth plans, informed investors on new school development, helped universities to engage with international schools, and advised education suppliers that are supporting the market.