Systematic Review of the Global Patterns and Determinants of International Student Mobility

Date

2026-10-01

Author

Sin, Cristina
Zayim Kurtay, Merve
Kéri, Anita
Kaya Kaşıkcı, Sevgi
Kondakçı, Yaşar
Bryla, Pawel
Bulut-Sahin, Betül
Lam, Queenie
Marinoni, Giorgio
Nilsson, Per A.
Ovchinnikova, Elena
Perez-Encinas, Adriana

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This systematic literature review synthesizes and analyses a corpus of 140 studies on the size and flows of international student mobility (ISM), as well as its determinants. The review confirms a consistent global increase in international students, albeit experienced differently in terms of magnitude by certain regions and countries. However, it also shows how ISM is decentralizing and diversifying, diluting the traditional East–West flows against the acceleration of regional mobility and the emergence of hubs. While criticizing the incomplete theorisation of ISM research, the review combines the push-pull factor approach with an examination of individual factors to analyse determinants. Findings show that individual factors and push factors have been under-researched compared to pull factors. Individual factors foreground students' agency, as these are not simply reactive to external conditions when making decisions. Despite limitations, such as sampling methods or data availability and comparability, the review captures state-of-the-art knowledge on ISM and suggests future research avenues. Its findings have direct implications for institutional strategy and national policymaking.

Subject Keywords

determinants, direction, international student mobility, pattern, push-pull factors, size

URI

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=105049491913&origin=inward
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/120749

Collections

Department of Educational Sciences, Article