Following a three-month sector-wide international consultation, Universities UK, GuildHE
and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) have endorsed new findings
that will map out the future of approaches to quality enhancement of UK transnational
education (TNE) provision.
The three organisations will publish a summary of the consultation results and analysis
before the next academic year, after which QAA will be invited to lead on developing a new
method and approach to quality enhancement of UK TNE provision.
The consultation drew responses from 105 organisations worldwide, including 74 universities
across the UK, representative groups, overseas quality bodies, student representation, and
individual responses.
The consultation focused on key aspects UK TNE provision, from its guiding principles to
governance and funding, and found predominant agreement that any enhancement should
continue to follow a UK-wide approach to ensure consistent experience and quality across
UK TNE provision.
Douglas Blackstock, QAA CEO, said: “The findings of this joint consultation provide an
excellent opportunity to help continue to support and enhance this important area for UK
higher education. The responses demonstrated a deep commitment to the development of
TNE, and a strong pride in the international recognition that it already has. We’ll be working
to deliver a new model for quality enhancement, based on the findings – and will consult with
the sector further in the autumn as this is developed.”
Vivienne Stern, UUKi’s Director, said “The UK is a global leader in transnational
education, delivering high-quality degrees in over two-hundred countries and territories
worldwide. To maintain and strengthen that position, it’s vital that we listen to the needs of
students, institutions, and overseas partners, and respond appropriately to an entirely new
global situation. The results of this consultation will ensure we’re well placed to do just that,
enhancing UK TNE provision wherever it is delivered across the world.”
Alex Bols, GuildHE Deputy Chief Executive, said: “UK higher education is delivered
across the globe and has an international reputation for excellence. As global higher
education considers the longer-term implications of the current crisis, it will be important that
we continue to enhance the quality of the student experience wherever UK higher education
is delivered. The extensive feedback to the consultation will enable us to bring forward
proposals that will safeguard and develop this reputation.”
142 providers offer overseas higher education programmes in 226 locations worldwide,
delivering UK higher education to 666,815 students and contributing more than £600 million
to the UK economy. As the COVID-19 challenge continues, more students could choose UK
degrees in country. The development of the new UK TNE enhancement model will also
carefully take this new context into account.