Consultation on UK transnational education launched

Ensuring the quality and reputation of UK higher education as a high-value export is the subject of a consultation launched today and running until 3 January 2020. Four out of five universities offer overseas higher education programmes in 225 locations worldwide, delivering UK higher education to around 750,000 students and contributing more than £600 million to the UK economy.

The popularity of transnational education (TNE) is directly connected to the reputation of UK higher education. Universities UK, GuildHE and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) now want to hear from universities about how UK TNE can be delivered most effectively.

Rowena Pelik, QAA's Director of Nations and International, said: "The quality and excellence of the UK’s higher education sector underlie the demand for UK transnational education. This joint consultation will help ensure that the way in which we support and enhance that reputation is developed in collaboration, delivering for higher education providers in the UK and internationally."

Vivienne Stern, UUKi's Director, said: "The success of the UK's transnational education provision is testament to the high quality of the degrees delivered overseas by UK universities. For the UK to strengthen its global position as the TNE partner of choice, we must seek to continuously enhance our offer by responding to the needs of students and partners overseas."

David Llewellyn, Chair of GuildHE and Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University, said: "UK higher education is delivered across the globe and has an international reputation for excellence. We must constantly reflect on how we safeguard and develop this reputation and we are therefore pleased to consult the sector on the quality enhancement arrangements for transnational education."

How to respond

The consultation document is published below and responses should be submitted via our online survey.

A MS Word version of the consultation questions is also provided for those who would like to prepare their answers before submitting the online survey.

The closing date for responses is Friday 3 January 2020.