We speak globally about the value of Australia’s flexible pathways enabling international students to progress through schools, ELICOS and VET into Australian universities. More research is needed to understand how education pathways contribute to the success of graduating international higher education students. In particular, limited research exists on the comparative academic performance of international students who enter directly into universities compared to those who enter through other education pathways.

This project will examine cohorts of international students entering Australia’s higher education system, and identify the differing pathways facilitating entry (whether schools, ELICOS, VET or foundation). It will analyse the academic outcomes of international pathway students compared with international direct entry students.

The project will help determine whether additional assistance is needed to ensure pathway students have comparable academic outcomes. It will identify good practice examples of supporting pathway students to achieve.