Why student wellbeing has become one of higher education’s most important strategic investments

“How do I see a doctor?”

It’s one of the most common questions we hear from international students.

So far this year, Bupa’s on-campus teams have answered more than 11,000 questions from international students across Australia. Most aren’t complicated, but each one is a moment where a student either finds their footing or doesn’t. That is where the real story of student wellbeing starts.

And that’s the shift underway in how universities think about wellbeing. For much of the past decade it sat in a support-services box next to the university experience. Today, many institutions see it as a driver of engagement, retention and success in its own right.

The student experience has become a competitive advantage

Universities are competing on more than academic reputation alone. While course rankings and graduate outcomes remain important, students are increasingly evaluating the broader experience an institution provides, including whether they feel supported, connected and able to thrive.

Research shows that students with a stronger sense of belonging tend to have higher engagement, motivation and wellbeing, alongside better academic outcomes. Conversely, lower belonging is associated with greater intentions to leave university.

For international students, these questions can be even more important.

Studying in a new country means figuring out unfamiliar systems, adapting to a different culture and living away from home. Universities that create supportive environments can help students settle into university life and build stronger campus connections.

Support only works if students use it

Students are more likely to seek support when it is visible, easy to understand and integrated into their everyday experience.

We’ve seen this firsthand through our university partnerships. Often, the questions are surprisingly simple: “Where do I go if I need mental health support?”, “How does the Australian healthcare system actually work?” or “Who can help me with this?”

Having someone available to answer those questions can be the difference between a student confidently accessing support or not seeking help at all

They’re not complex issues, but for a student navigating a new country, they’re critical moments. Having someone available to answer those questions can be the difference between a student confidently accessing support or not seeking help at all.

That’s what accessibility looks like day to day: consistent, unglamorous, and available before a small question turns into a bigger problem.

The future is integrated wellbeing

The universities leading in this space are taking a more integrated approach to wellbeing.

We’re seeing partnerships designed around this principle, too. One recent example is Mindplace, a mental health clinic opened through a long-term partnership with the University of Sydney. I still remember the early conversations in 2023, when the discussion wasn’t about a clinic, but a shared ambition to make mental health support easier for students to access. Three years later, that ambition became a reality with the opening of Mindplace on campus. It’s a reminder that the most effective wellbeing investments aren’t always new programs. They’re often long-term partnerships that remove barriers and make support part of everyday student life.

A strategic investment in the future of higher education

The benefits also extend beyond individual students, supporting broader objectives such as student satisfaction and retention. That’s why student wellbeing is increasingly being viewed not as a cost to manage, but as one of higher education’s most important strategic investments.

Institutions that recognise this are helping shape a stronger future for higher education.

About the author: Mark Kopec is general manager, corporate & international partnerships at Bupa. Before Bupa, Mark built and launched insurance propositions from the ground up in Japan, China and New Zealand, experience that shapes how he thinks about what it actually takes to support someone settling into a new country. He works closely with universities across Australia to help international students access the health and wellbeing support they need.

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