Four out of five transnational education institutions looking to expand

A recent survey has found that four out of five higher education institutions in the UK that offer transnational education are looking to expand their operations in the next three years. These are institutions that offer joint programmes, online programmes, have international branch campuses, and also offer dual-degree programmes.

The survey conducted by HE Global, which is a collaboration between the International Unit and the British Council, has found that several universities have made transnational education a part of their international or overall strategy with the aim of attracting more students. Also, this strategy comes as these universities see an increase in their income and also garner more of a name for themselves overseas.

Partnerships

Out of the 134 UK universities, 99 have taken part in some type of transnational education in 2014-15. They were able to reach a total of 381,610 students, which is a 13 per cent increase compared to 2012-13.

TNE Hub Founder, Vangelis Tsiligiris, stated that although universities in the UK are partnering with overseas universities, the growth in the world of transnational education comes from a growing demand in the market, as well as certain external factors such as the laws prevailing in the foreign education provider’s country.

Growth strategy

Tsiligiris said that transnational education is a part of the bigger growth strategy that educational institutions have adopted. The kind of transnational education that the institution wants to offer depends on its resources, strategy and the market it would like to focus on. 

Since 2010, there has been an increase of 25 per cent in programmes that offer a stay in the UK. Tsiligiris believes that current regulations in the UK pertaining to international students may push UK higher education institutions to offer programmes with international partners.