EAIE Glasgow Conference 2026
The Global Leaders Experience will be returning to EAIE in 2026, but this time in Glasgow! Get ready to tune into ‘The Rhythm of Revolution’, a call to question, collaborate and create long lasting change. Join the European Association for International Education in Glasgow for a backstage-pass to their exciting 36TH annual conference!
The Rhythm of Revolution
A call to tune into the momentum of transformation and to help shape its direction with purpose and care! The 2026 theme recognises the urgent need for change in today’s world- and more importantly the role higher education can play driving it! Highlighting the urgent need to challenge the status quo and shape change with purpose, the conference illustrates that like rhythm gives movement direction, higher education can set the pace on transformation through vision, courage and collaboration!
Glasgow
Glasgow is the perfect place to tune into the Rhythm of Revolution as a city that lives and breathes reinvention! A city full of energy, creativity, and a proud history of resilience. Once the heart of the Industrial Revolution, its struggles only sparked powerful movements for workers’ rights, education, and social reform, shaping the forward-looking spirit still alive today.
Now a modern hub of learning and collaboration, Glasgow is the place to drive innovation and international partnerships, an inspiring environment to connect, share ideas, and imagine new futures together. Lets put our ears to the ground and find the rhythm to move forward!
What is EAIE?
The EAIE is the European centre for expertise, networking and resources in the internationalisation of higher education. They are a non-profit, member-led organisation serving individuals actively involved in the internationalisation of their institutions.
Each year, the EAIE visits an exciting city in Europe and organises a large Annual Conference for 7000+ professionals interested in international higher education.
How can you help?
To ensure that our nearly 7000+ international participants enjoy the best conference experience possible in Glasgow, EAIE is looking for several temporary on-site staff members, also known as conference assistants. Conference assistants are a key part of the conference, performing important tasks ranging from answering participant questions, assisting at registration pods, managing queues and information desks, to assisting speakers. Checking badges and gathering data for future conference improvements.
Conference assistants will be divided into three main groups- a registration team, an information team, and a programme team. There will be a supervisor overlooking each team, and this person will b e the first point of contact for the students. More details coming soon.
In 2025, the EAIE conference was held in Gothenburg, press here for more information.
We require assistants from the 5th-12th September 2026. The conference runs from Tuesday 8th to Friday 11th September, with Monday being a registration only day. On Sunday, expect to be briefed and shown around the conference venue, and on Monday expect to provide assistance with some set-up tasks.
Conference assistants can expect to work anytime between 07:30- 18:00 each day (times vary depending on day and which team you’re in).
Lunches will be provided Monday-Friday at the conference venue, as well as water and light snacks throughout the days.
Due to the number of visitors (we expect more than 7,000 participants from all over the world), registration is always a logistical challenge. We will have self-service machines that will give out the conference badge once a participant scans their confirmation letter. Several students in the registration team will be assisting participants using these pods – to create an overall smooth and efficient experience.
Being proactive, helping those who look puzzled is of essence here in order to avoid queues. Your help will also be needed to manage the flow of people overall in the registration area, to point people to the right locations in the building and to answer general questions.
The information team, together with the registration team, is often the participants first point of contact at the conference – so making them feel welcome and well-informed creates that all-important first impression and allows people to continue into the event happy!
The information team is spread throughout the venue, staffing various desks as well as positions where we expect people to have questions. You will be assisting with questions such as: where do I find session x, where is the EAIE stand, where can I get some coffee, what is a good restaurant in town, how do I make an appointment through the EAIE app, etc. Your goal is to become the know-it-all of the EAIE conference.
The desks and roaming info points are located strategically throughout the venue. Some students might be asked to assist at the desk of our exhibition management partner.
A total of 170 sessions and workshops will be taking place over the course of 3,5 days. In order for the sessions to run smoothly, we need an assistant at every session room to perform various tasks, for example: badges at the doors (workshops only) assisting speakers, keeping the room tidy, answer participant questions and assisting with room set-up changes. This means you really have your own territory to look after during the event! You will be provided with a more specific brief on your tasks as a programme student on-site.
The all-around team is in charge of all responsibilities that are not related to the program, information, or registration. You will be assisting all around the venue and every team, with tasks ranging from crowd management, assisting with poster sessions, plenaries, exhibitors, and much more.
Accommodation
We are currently in the process of booking our accommodation. Once a location is confirmed we will update the website accordingly. Please note that you will be room sharing, which will be on the basis of 2 students per room.
Travel
We are currently in the process of looking into travel for this trip. Once this is confirmed we will update the website accordingly.
To be confirmed: Since the conference will be in the UK, we may be offering the opportunity for students to travel independently if they so wish. The details on how this will work are to be confirmed, but students may have the option to decide upon their travel to Glasgow.
Please do note that due to sustainable reasons the university encourages students to use train travel to get to the location.
Eligibility Criteria
- You will be enrolled as an undergraduate student at the time of the programme.
- This programme is open to undergraduate students who meet one or more of the Widening Participation criteria
- There are a small number of places available to international students. There is no need for additional Visas as the programme is taking place within the UK.
- You can travel to and from the UK between the 5th-12th September 2026.
- Not currently on a placement year or study abroad.
- As you are travelling within the UK, a passport is not necessary, however we do recommend bringing a passport or some form of photo identification.
Managing Expectations
- The global travel sector remains impacted by well publicised strikes, cancellation and disruption.
- Please be ready to follow any national or local guidance in relation to travel. If you are an international student, you should be covered for travel within the UK with your current student Visa. Please do however check in advance to avoid later disappointment. Please note that Visa costs are not covered by the university. We will supply any travel documents required for your application.
- You are not currently required to provide proof of Covid-19 Vaccination to enter Scotland, however, please keep this in mind in case of any changes in the lead up to departure.
- Students are expected to travel within UK as part of a group for the trip.
- Students will be sharing accommodation. Please see our FAQs for further information.
- There will be a pre-departure session which you need to attend ahead of the trip.
How do I apply?
Applications for this programme are now open! To apply please press here.
Please note that we do not accept students on a first come first serve basis. We wait until the deadline has passed to shortlist, so please take your time with your application.
Applications will close on Thursday 11th December at 23:59pm.
We are making some changes to our application process. If you are successful following the application form, you are now required to take part in an assessment centre in early 2026. For more information please check out ourGlobal Leaders Experience FAQs
Further information
If you have any further questions, please feel free to email the team at global-leaders@exeter.ac.uk