IDP Education is a global company offering
student placement and English language testing services. It is the
world's largest student placement firm with a network of over 70
student offices in more than 24 countries. IDP Education has over
40 years experience working with universities and government
organisations and has placed more than 300,000 students in
educational institutions around the world.
We believe that students choose international
education to fulfil study, career and life goals, and IDP is
committed to working with students to help them make the right
educational choices to achieve these goals. An international
education experience will improve the skills and self-confidence of
the individual, and ultimately enable students to become better
global citizens. Our work in the U.S. higher education system
builds on our successful Australian student placement service
model.
IDP Education is a major sponsor of research
in international education and pioneered the forecasting of
international student trends and growth. IDP also sponsors the
Database of Research in International Education – a searchable
database which houses material on international education published
from 1990 onwards.
In 1987, IDP established the Australian
International Education Conference (AIEC) which today is one of the
most recognised international education conferences in the
world.
IDP Education is part owner of IELTS, the
world's leading English language proficiency test, in conjunction
with the British Council and University of Cambridge ESOL
Examinations. More than 1.4 million people from 130 countries take
the IELTS each year. Today, IELTS is recognised by 6,000
organisations globally, including over 2,000 U.S. universities,
colleges, and professional associations.
Andrew Thompson was appointed IDP Education
Chief Executive Office on 1 July 2011. Andrew Thompson joined the
company as Chief Operating Officer in June 2007, managing the
operation of IDP’s global businesses in student placement, English
language testing and English language training.
In this period Andrew oversaw the
restructuring of the business and led the development of IDP’s
successful growth strategy. He consolidated IDP’s business in
Australia while establishing student placement operations in new
destination countries. IDP Education is now jointly owned by 38
Australian universities and SEEK Limited, Australia's leading
online employment and training company.
Since IDP's establishment, there has been a
five-fold increase in the number of international students in
higher education around the world. This has resulted in a sharing
of knowledge and expertise between developed and developing
countries, which is unprecedented in history. International
education plays a major role in breaking down cultural barriers and
promoting international understanding, and millions of students
have now spent a formative part of their lives studying in another
country. IDP is proud to have built its business in international
education and to have been a part of these historic
developments.