QAA launches new TNE scheme

Originally commissioned by Universities UK and GuildHE, QAA's Quality Evaluation and Enhancement of UK Transnational Education (QE-TNE) was launched in 2021, and has involved more than 70 UK providers which offer transnational education (TNE) provision.

On 26 February QAA launched the new iteration of that initiative, the UK TNE Quality Scheme, which will come into operation in August 2026.

Developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders across the higher education sector, the new iteration of the Scheme has been commissioned by Universities UK, GuildHE and Independent HE, and is supported by University Alliance and MillionPlus.

The Department for Education England also officially support the scheme, and the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland and Medr are endorsing the scheme.

The Scheme has been developed to respond to the increased significance and profile of UK TNE, as highlighted by the recent publication of the UK Government's new International Education Strategy (IES), in order 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 new iteration of the Scheme will support its participants in enhancing the quality of their TNE provision and TNE student experience, navigating country contexts, and developing sustainable high-quality global partnerships.

It will offer partnership insights to identify areas of effective practice and areas for enhancement, provide a wide range of resources and guidance materials, and deliver training programmes for staff at different experience levels to support the management of international partnerships.

Shannon Stowers, QAA's Director of International Policy & Engagement, said: "The sustainability of UK TNE is dependent upon its reputation, and that reputation is founded upon its quality. This refreshed version of the Scheme has been designed to maintain and enhance that quality as our sector meets the opportunities and challenges of a rapidly changing global environment. Alongside our work with the British Council and the Department for Business and Trade, it is designed to strengthen the quality of UK provision and support and sustain the vision set out in the International Education Strategy, reflecting the shared ambitions of providers based across all four nations of the UK."