Information about the UK TNE Quality Scheme
Publication date: 20 Apr 2026
Connecting quality across borders
As the current Quality Evaluation and Enhancement of UK Transnational Education (QE-TNE) Scheme comes to an end in July 2026, QAA is taking the opportunity to evolve it to ensure maximum value to UK universities, address the rapid growth and emerging risks of TNE, and strengthen trust in the quality of UK transnational education both at home and abroad. The refreshed scheme, known as the UK TNE Quality Scheme will continue directly on from the current scheme from the start of the new academic year in August 2026. It will draw on live TNE partnerships and arrangements to provide sector-led peer learning alongside tailored QAA training and guidance.
Through reports, insights, resources, and training, the UK TNE Quality Scheme supports UK providers to:
- Enhance the quality of their TNE provision and TNE student experience
- Navigate country contexts
- Develop sustainable high-quality global partnerships.
The new Scheme will be structured around three main pillars:
Enhance: Improve your practice
Enhancement-focused visits at partnership level identifying areas of effective practice and areas for enhancement to help you reflect and continuously improve your provision.
Develop: Upskill your staff
Training programmes for staff at different experience levels to support with managing international partnerships.
Advise: Support your delivery
A wide range of resources and guidance to help you understand in-country regulations and enhance the TNE student experience.
Supported across all four UK nations
The continued success of UK TNE, and the sustainability of its growth, is underpinned by its reputation for quality. This reputation is recognised by students and their families, and by overseas regulators and agencies, and is what makes UK higher education institutions the partners of choice internationally. That is why visible, UK-wide, and sector-led action to safeguard and enhance the quality of UK TNE has never been more important, especially in light of the Government’s refreshed International Education Strategy which sets out an ambitious vision for TNE growth. We endorse the scheme to our members as an important and valuable way to demonstrate the UK sector’s commitment to high quality TNE, and encourage them to partake in it.
Commissioning bodies for the UK TNE Quality Scheme: Universities UK, GuildHE and Independent HE
The Department for Education England supports QAA’s UK TNE Quality Scheme as a way to strengthen the quality of transnational education delivered by English providers, reflecting the priorities of the UK Government’s International Education Strategy. It encourages higher education providers in England involved in TNE to engage with the scheme.
Department for Education, England
Medr endorses QAA’s UK TNE Quality Scheme as an important mechanism supporting the delivery of high-quality transnational education by Welsh providers. As part of this, Welsh higher education will continue to take part in the scheme, building on the previous QE-TNE initiative.
Medr, Wales
The Department for the Economy endorses QAA’s refreshed UK TNE Quality Scheme as an important mechanism supporting the delivery of high-quality transnational education by our local higher education providers. The Department encourages its providers with transnational education activity to engage with the scheme.
Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland
We recognise that there have been significant changes in, and expansion of, TNE provision in the UK over the lifespan of the previous scheme, alongside changes to higher education policy and practice, all of which have had to be considered in designing the new scheme. We welcome the enhancement-led focus of the new scheme and acknowledge the benefit to universities of this approach.
Scottish Funding Council, Scotland
MillionPlus are pleased to be supporters of the QAA TNE scheme. This scheme will play an important role in enhancing the quality of UK transnational education and help to reinforce the sector's international reputation as trusted higher education partners.
MillionPlus
University Alliance welcomes QAA’s UK TNE Quality Scheme as an important step in strengthening global confidence in UK transnational education. Our members’ strong track record in high quality, professionally focused transnational education will be supported by a clear framework that recognises excellence and assures students and partners.
University Alliance
Joining the new Scheme
Existing QE-TNE Scheme members
Renewing your membership for the Scheme is simple. You’ll receive an email in April with a link to your renewal form. Find out what's included in the new Scheme for 2026-27.
Becoming a new member
The UK TNE Quality Scheme is open to all UK higher education institutions. You don’t need to be a member of QAA. Complete our application form to join the Scheme. If you’re interested in finding out more about the Scheme but not yet ready to become a member, fill in the form below and our team will get in touch.