ISA

Name

ISA

Legal name

ISA - International Studies Academy

Website

https://isaalba.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ISA (International Studies Academy) is a Tirana, Albania-based university admissions and cultural exchange consulting firm that helps Albanian students gain access to degree programs and exchange programs (Work & Travel, T&I, CampUSA, AuPair, High School Exchange) at partner institutions across North America, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Consulting Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Overseas Secondary School Admissions Consulting & Application Support (EDAIAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Agent Network Management & Channel Partnerships (EDAIACAD), Application Support, Matching Platforms & Scholarship Administration Services (EDAIAOAN)

Keywords

• University admissions consulting
• Study abroad programs
• International student advising
• Educational consulting services
• Cultural exchange programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tirana

HQ country

Albania

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Application Services for Partner Universities: For students applying to ISA's partner universities, application services are completely free of charge. This creates a network effect where universities benefit from ISA's recruitment services at no cost to the consulting firm.
2. Application Services for Non-Partner Universities: For universities not currently in partnership with ISA, a service fee applies. The cost is tailored to each client's specific requirements, with deciding factors including the extent of writing and editing assistance and time invested by ISA experts.
3. Recruitment Agent Commission: ISA recruits commission-based field representatives who earn commission for every successful applicant they refer. This creates a distributed sales network where agents are incentivized to recruit students across Albania.
4. English Language Courses: ISA offers customized English lessons with a 20% discount for participants in their exchange programs. Course levels include Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Advanced.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ISA (International Studies Academy) is an educational consulting firm that guides Albanian students through international university admissions (Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD) and cultural exchange programs. The firm provides personalized mentorship, application preparation, essay and recommendation letter support, visa processing, and scholarship assistance, leveraging a partner university network across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, and Spain. Services are delivered via in-person consulting from its Tirana headquarters and a network of commission-based field representatives.

Product overview

ISA (International Studies Academy) is a University Admissions and Professional Consulting Firm offering a comprehensive suite of educational services. The core portfolio includes Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degree admissions consulting for Ivy League and global universities, alongside international exchange programs (Training & Internship, Work & Travel USA, CampUSA, AuPair, and High School Exchange). English language courses are offered as an add-on module to support students' language proficiency for these programs. The services are delivered through personalized mentorship and application support across multiple countries including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, and Spain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor's Degree Admissions Consulting Comprehensive university admissions consulting for undergraduate programs, guiding students through application preparation, essay support, recommendation letter strategies, interview preparation, and scholarship applications to Ivy League and top global universities.
• Master's Degree Admissions Consulting Graduate-level admissions consulting supporting students through program selection, application materials preparation, standardized testing strategies, visa logistics, and thesis mentorship for master's programs across various disciplines.
• Doctoral Studies Consulting PhD admissions and research consulting including dissertation mentorship, research proposal development, faculty identification, interview preparation, and visa application support for doctoral programs worldwide.
• Training & Internship (T&I) Program International training and internship placement program enabling young professionals and students to gain practical work experience in the USA, with support for J-1 visa applications and placement across various occupational categories.
• Work & Travel USA Program Cultural exchange program allowing university students aged 18-30 to work in seasonal US businesses (hotels, restaurants, theme parks) for 3-4 months during summer holidays while improving English language skills.
• CampUSA Program Summer camp employment program in the United States for students, teachers, and youth workers with leadership potential, requiring English proficiency and offering cultural exchange through outdoor and childcare work.
• AuPair Program Cultural exchange initiative enabling young people aged 18-30 to live with host families abroad, providing childcare and light household duties in exchange for room, board, and a stipend.
• High School Exchange Program Study abroad program for students aged 15-18 to attend high school in a foreign country for a semester or academic year while living with a host family, promoting cultural immersion and language skills.
• English Language Courses Customized English language instruction offered at Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Advanced levels, available in-person or online with a 20% discount for exchange program participants.

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Arizona State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with Arizona State University to facilitate student admissions. ASU is a leading public research institution known for innovation and academic excellence, offering programs across engineering, business, social sciences, and the arts.
• Pace UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to Pace University, a private institution renowned for its strong business and law programs through the Lubin School of Business and Elisabeth Haub School of Law, located in New York City.
• Simmons UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, known for its programs in liberal arts, social sciences, and health sciences with a focus on social justice.
• University of ConnecticutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with University of Connecticut (UConn), a prominent public research university known for strong programs in business, engineering, and sciences, located in Storrs, Connecticut.
• Colorado State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to Colorado State University, a leading public research university renowned for programs in engineering, agricultural sciences, and environmental science.
• Drew UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, a private liberal arts institution known for strong undergraduate education and personalized learning.
• George Mason UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with George Mason University in Virginia, a dynamic public research institution recognized for practical applications of knowledge and robust research initiatives near Washington, D.C.
• University of AlabamacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, a prominent public research university established in 1831 with strong programs in business, law, and engineering.
• University of ArizonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with the University of Arizona in Tucson, a leading public research university established in 1885, known for programs in astronomy, engineering, and business with cutting-edge research initiatives.
• Suffolk UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to Suffolk University in Boston, a private institution founded in 1906 with notable strengths in law, business, and public affairs, and strong connections to Boston's business and legal communities.
• Bournemouth UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with Bournemouth University in England, known for its industry-focused education and modern facilities with programs in media, business, and health sciences.
• Queen Mary University of LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to QMUL, a prestigious public research university in East London established in 1887, offering programs across humanities, law, social sciences, and sciences.
• University of BrightoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with the University of Brighton on England's South Coast, established in 1859, known for practical experience and industry links across arts, business, and health sciences.
• University of GlasgowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to the University of Glasgow, founded in 1451, one of Scotland's oldest and most prestigious universities offering programs across humanities, sciences, engineering, and social sciences.
• University of LiverpoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with the University of Liverpool, a leading public research university founded in 1881, offering programs in science, engineering, humanities, and social sciences with strong industry connections.
• University of BirminghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to the University of Birmingham, established in 1900, a prestigious public research university in England's second-largest city with diverse programs across disciplines.
• University of EssexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with the University of Essex, founded in 1964, a dynamic public research university in Colchester known for research excellence and diverse, inclusive community.
• University of YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to the University of York, established in 1963, a prominent public research university known for research excellence and supportive learning environment in historic York.
• University of VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, a leading research-intensive institution established in 1963, known for strengths in computer science, engineering, and mathematics with over 22,000 students.
• University of AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to the University of Alberta in Edmonton, a leading public research university founded in 1908, consistently ranking among top institutions in Canada and globally.
• Murdoch UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, a public university known for diverse student body, research commitment, and programs in business, health, science, and arts.
• University of AdelaidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions through the University of Adelaide College, offering pathway programs including Foundation Studies, Degree Transfer, Pre-Master's, and English language courses in collaboration with Kaplan Higher Education.
• University of Newcastle College of International EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with UNCIE, the official pathway provider for the University of Newcastle in Australia, offering foundation studies, degree transfer, and pre-master's programs.
• University of Western AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to the University of Western Australia (UWA), a leading research institution consistently ranked in the world's top 100 universities with programs in health, engineering, arts, and law.
• University of EdinburghcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with the University of Edinburgh, established in 1582, one of Scotland's oldest and most prestigious universities renowned for research excellence and strong academic tradition.
• University of AberdeencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to the University of Aberdeen, founded in 1495, one of Scotland's oldest universities known for strong research output and commitment to academic excellence.
• Abertay UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland, known for applied and vocational education with programs in computer games technology, digital media, and business, and strong industry connections.
• University of DundeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to the University of Dundee, established in 1881, offering programs across humanities, sciences, engineering, and health sciences with strong research profile and modern campus.
• University of StirlingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with the University of Stirling, founded in 1967, offering diverse programs across business, health sciences, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences with beautiful campus setting.
• University of the West of ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA facilitates admissions to the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), established in 2007, focusing on practical, career-oriented education with strong links to industry.
• Geneva Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISA partners with Geneva Business School, which has campuses in Barcelona, Madrid, and Geneva, offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in Business Administration, International Relations, and Digital Marketing.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Edwise International: India-focused overseas education consultant with services covering admissions, visas, and test prep for study-abroad destinations. Operates in a different geography from ISA but follows a very similar professional-services model targeting outbound students.
• Manya Education (The Princeton Review India): India-based test prep and admissions consultancy affiliated with The Princeton Review. Similar consulting-led international admissions offering as ISA, focused on a different region but addressing the same outbound-student use case.
• Global Tree Overseas Education: Overseas education consultancy serving primarily South Asian students seeking international admissions and visas. Comparable business model and service mix to ISA, but India-centric.

Emerging players

• Adventus.io: International student recruitment platform partnering with institutions and agents to streamline applications from source markets. Comparable to ISA in serving the international recruitment value chain, though via a SaaS/marketplace model rather than direct consulting.
• Going Merry: Scholarship discovery and application-support platform for students seeking financial aid for college. Partially overlapping with ISA's scholarship-application assistance and essay-support services, though platform-based rather than consultative.

Broad incumbents

• ApplyBoard: Large-scale platform connecting international students with educational institutions across multiple countries. Functions as a broader incumbent in the same international student recruitment space that ISA operates in, but at much greater scale and with a technology-led model.
• IDP Education: Global education services company offering international student placement, English-language testing (IELTS), and university representation. Operates broadly in the same international education space as ISA but as a publicly listed incumbent.

Others

• Into Education (UK): Provider of pathway and foundation-year programs partnering with universities (e.g., in UK, US, Australia) to prepare international students for degree study. Adjacent to ISA's mission of placing Albanian students at international universities, but operates as an institutional pathway provider rather than an admissions consultancy.

Direct peers

• Crimson Education: Premium international admissions and tutoring consultancy operating globally. Highly comparable to ISA — both focus on guiding students through competitive university applications, leveraging mentor networks and personalized consulting for undergraduate and graduate placements.
• Leverage Edu: India-based overseas education consultancy helping students apply to universities abroad with personalized admissions support, test prep, and visa services. Same end-to-end admissions model targeting students in an emerging market seeking international education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/isaalba
• Facebookfacebook.com/isaalba
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isa-international-studies-academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ISA