Foreign student tribes

Market research firm I-graduate polled 25,000 international students, 80% of whom were at British universities, and asked them what made them choose their university. Five types of student emerged. Photograph: Jason Ford

The kid (left) is most often found wandering aimlessly across campus and lacks focus. Compare this with the gekko (right), who focuses on earning their peers' respect, and more importantly, large amounts of cash. Those studying business, engineering and creative subjects were most likely to be gekkos. Photograph: Jason Ford

The 'surfer' is just looking for fun and is less ambitions than members of the other tribes. Spanish and Japanese students tend towards this type, as well as those on language degree courses. Photograph: Jason Ford

The seekers, on the other hand, are driven by their parents' wishes that they secure a good job, and are less fussed about earning money. Around 24% of the students polled fitted into this category. Photograph: Jason Ford

Idealism is the main feature of the bonos, who are more likely to be postgraduates and influenced by their tutors. I-graduate says that universities "lack clarity" about the motivations and needs of international students. Photograph: Jason Ford