Abstract
Designing effective programmes to support international student transitions into higher education requires coordinated, research informed approaches that extend across recruitment, admissions, academic, and student support services. This interactive pre conference workshop explores how institutions can strengthen transition support through intentional programme design and a whole-institution approach, drawing on the Council of International Schools’ (CIS) Educational Transitions Framework, current research and practice. CIS is a global membership community of over 1600 schools and universities, working together to strengthen international education and support internationally mobile students.
The workshop begins with a concise overview of key findings on international student transition needs and the programme level elements that shape student transition experiences. Participants will then dive deeper, considering how their institution’s existing programmes and practices support student transitions, and where greater alignment or enhancement may be required. Focusing on building from established strengths, the workshop will offer opportunities to explore developing transition programmes in areas such as wellbeing and support, connection and belonging, or digital and institutional systems.
Through guided reflection, peer exchange, and practical examples, participants will translate research insights into actionable programme design strategies relevant to their institutional context. The session supports participants to move beyond isolated initiatives and towards coherently designed, connected, and sustained transitions programmes across institutions. Participants will leave with a draft action plan to inform programme development and decision-making in their context.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify key transition related needs for international students that have implications for programme design in higher education
- Examine how existing recruitment, admissions, academic, and student support programmes contribute to international student transitions
- Apply the CIS Educational Transitions Framework to review and strengthen programme level transition support
- Recognise opportunities to improve alignment and coherence across institutional departments and systems
- Develop a practical, strengths based action plan to inform programme development and leadership decision making within their institutional context
Target Audience
Higher education leadership, recruitment, admissions, student support services, faculty
