From the early 2010s to 2020, international students have consistently represented a significant proportion (typically exceeding 20%) of the civil engineering student cohort at Unitec Institute of Technology, New Zealand's largest polytechnic. However, their numbers and proportion within the cohort experienced a decline in the aftermath of Covid-19, with recovery only now underway.

This paper examines international enrollment trends in comparison with domestic trends, including an analysis of the nationalities represented. Additionally, the paper provides an initial exploration of the academic performance of these students, revealing that, overall, they perform well academically—often surpassing their domestic counterparts. Nonetheless, anecdotal evidence highlights challenges related to English language proficiency, especially in courses requiring more descriptive communication and less focus on engineering calculations. The research investigates whether these language-related challenges impact the overall success rates of international students. Where issues are identified, the study proposes strategies to better support these students and enhance their academic outcomes.

Keywords: Education, engineering, international students.