The three institutions – California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, Towson University in Maryland and University of Nebraska at Omaha – will open up “outstanding avenues for students keen to experience America and to benefit from the career opportunities it offers”, according to Study Group’s chief executive officer, Ian Crichton.

“The news of our latest three partnerships in the United States marks the beginning of our strategy to rebalance our global business, by increasing our investment in the US and broadening our US geographic footprint while strengthening our portfolio and diversity of quality institutions,” he added.

“The US has long been a highly-respected study destination for international students.”

Open Doors data released in November showed that the US saw the fastest growth rate in more than 40 years in international enrolments, but has not yet reached the pre-pandemic peak of 1,094,000 in 2018/19.

California State University San Marcos is Study Group’s first direct entry partnership in California.

The partnership with Towson University will also see Study Group recruit and support international students through the admissions process, directly to both undergraduate and graduate programs.

“The US has long been a highly-respected study destination for international students”

For University of Nebraska at Omaha in Nebraska, Study Group will do the same, focusing on countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa, beginning with applications in February 2024 for the fall 2024 intake.

Study Group supports more than 50 university partners around the world, including Florida Atlantic University, University of Hartford, James Madison University some institutions it partners with in the US.

The company’s chief partnerships officer, July Behl, noted the 9% increase of enrolments by international students across the US last year. Overall, overseas students contribute $33.8 billion annually to the US economy.

“This exemplifies the vital role that international education plays in enriching and supporting American institutions in delivering the many and varied benefits they create for their student, city, county, and state communities,” he said.

Study Group will reveal further announcements next year, as it looks to “up [its] game in support of our UK partners to strengthen their international intakes through 2024 while continuing to build out our global footprint”, Crichton continued.

“We will of course continue to develop our work with all our partners on transnational education and new programs for our students.

“Our stated aim is to increase the participation and success of talented students in global education, and I am proud to work with our international team and partners to make this a reality. The benefits of international education have never been more important, not only to students themselves but to the world as young people benefit from a great education and the ability to thrive as confident global citizens.”