Another record-breaking year for UK transnational education as number of UK TNE providers continues to grow

The sixth in UUKi’s annual series, The scale of UK higher education transnational education report provides analysis of where, at what level, and through what type of provision TNE students studied. Regional highlights from the British Council provide context for the data by looking at the operating environment in particular countries. 

In 2020–21, UK TNE was reported in 228 countries and territories, with 510,835 students studying via UK TNE – a 12.7% increase from the previous year. UK TNE numbers have grown across all regions at an overall higher growth rate than ever before.   

The report highlights the importance of collecting better data on TNE students’ characteristics, experiences and outcomes, and welcomes HESA’s relaunch of its review of the Aggregate Offshore record.  

It also notes that the UK’s quality assurance system is complex but targeted information could help strengthen trust in the high quality of UK TNE.  

Key findings include:

• Asia continued to be the top host region for UK TNE students in 2020–21, with 252,845 students, it hosted 49.5% of the total. Asia was followed by the European Union (15.8%), the Middle East (13.8%), Africa (11.1%), North America (5.3%), non-EU Europe (3.4%), Australasia (0.6%), and South America (0.6%).  

• China was the top host country for UK TNE (61,495 students; 12.0% of the total), followed by Malaysia (48,460; 9.5%), Sri Lanka (37,175; 7.3%), Singapore (27,875; 5.5%) and Egypt (23,805; 4.7%).  

• Student numbers increased across all world regions between 2019–20 and 2020–21, with the largest proportional increases taking place in South America (+21.9%), the Middle East (+18.9%) and Africa (+16.7%). Of the top 20 host countries and territories, 16 saw increases in student numbers.  

• Student numbers in the EU increased by 24,825 (+44.7%) between 2016–17 and 2020–21  

• 39.1% of UK HE TNE students were studying through collaborative provision; 30.0% were studying through distance, flexible or distributed learning; 22.6% were studying while registered at an overseas partner organisation; and 7.0% studied at overseas campuses. Students registered at an overseas partner organisation saw the largest proportional increase (+17.6%) from 2019–20.  

• 64.2% were studying at undergraduate level. The number of students studying at postgraduate level increased by 32.9% from 2016–17.  

• The headcount categories for providers in England and Wales show high continuation and completion rates in 2020–21, 68.7% of students were continuing study and 22.2% of students successfully completed their course, with only 6.0% dormant and 3.2% withdrawing from their course.  

Notes

1. The report can be found on the UUKi website.
2. Universities UK International (UUKi) represents UK higher education institutions (HEIs) globally and helps them flourish internationally. To do this we actively promote UK HEIs abroad, provide trusted information for and about them, and create new opportunities through our unique ability to act at sector level. We draw on UK university expertise to influence policy in the UK and overseas, delivering information, advice and guidance to facilitate mutually beneficial collaboration between UK HEIs and a broad range of international partners. 
3. The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. They support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. They work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2020–21 they connected with 67 million people directly and with 745 million people overall.