The student body in many higher education institutions (HEIs) has become more international, although student services are often offered in a generic one-size fits all approach. Traditionally, student services served as a key indicator of student satisfaction and influenced the mobility of international students' choices regarding study programme, HEI, and country of study. However, recent research shows that student services are becoming less important in these regards. Most services offered to international students relate to the student academic experience. In this paper the authors focus on Student Development Theories (SDT) as a way to increase the understanding of how to improve international students' academic success and integration. While there are frameworks in other parts of the world (e.g. students as partners) containing similar elements, the authors contend SDT is substantially different because as a theoretical framework it acknowledges how students develop holistically, as well as what factors and environmental conditions can facilitate their development. The authors argue using SDT as a framework can provide a developmental and holistic approach to international student services. More specifically, they present models viewing student development from the multiple domains, all of which tailor programmes designed for student "success," and "social and academic integration."