The UK international education strategy is set for a major overhaul as
ministers move away from fixed targets for recruiting overseas students and
instead prioritise expanding British education abroad. Under the new approach,
universities and education providers will be encouraged to open international
hubs and partnerships, bringing UK education to students “on their own
doorsteps”.
The government confirmed that it will scrap the previous goal of
attracting 600,000 international students a year to study in the UK, a target
first set in 2019. In its place, the revised UK international education
strategy will aim to boost global “education exports” to £40 billion annually
by 2030, reflecting a broader shift towards transnational education and
offshore delivery.
The policy move, according to the Department for Education, shows a
desire to maintain the UK's global prominence in education while rebalancing
growth. Ministers think British universities can reach millions more students
while easing the burden on local migration statistics by concentrating on
foreign delivery.
According to a statement from the government, "this approach
removes targets on the number of international students in the UK and shifts
the focus towards growing education exports overseas by backing UK providers to
expand internationally, build partnerships abroad, and deliver UK education in
new markets."
The action represents a major shift in the UK's approach to foreign
education, indicating that the success of UK degrees will be determined more by
their global reach than by the number of students who enroll on British
campuses.
The government announced that it would implement "toughened
compliance standards" for educational institutions that recruit students
to study in the UK in conjunction with the strategy change. The goal of these
steps is to guarantee that those coming into the nation on study visas are
actually students.
Universities may be subject to recruitment caps or possibly have their
permission to sponsor overseas students revoked if they don't comply with the
new requirements. According to officials, the goal of the compliance crackdown
is to preserve the system's integrity while bolstering the UK's international
education strategy's long-term credibility.
Despite removing numerical targets, ministers insisted the UK remains
open to international students. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said
overseas expansion would allow institutions to diversify income streams and
strengthen global ties while still benefiting the domestic economy.
“By expanding overseas, our universities, colleges and education
providers can diversify income, strengthen global partnerships and give
millions more access to a world-class UK education on their doorstep, all
whilst boosting growth at home,” Phillipson said.
The government also pointed to its commitment to rejoining Erasmus+ in
2027 as evidence that international collaboration remains a priority under the
revised UK international education strategy.
Student Leaders Raise Concerns Over Campus Experience
Student leaders, however, voiced worry that studying with peers from
around the world could become less valuable due to offshore hubs. International
students are essential to the UK's academic standing, according to AmiraCampbell, president of NUS UK.
Instead of being on other countries, she stated, "Students want to
learn alongside our peers." "International students on our campuses
are integral to this reputation."
Campbell added that while exporting education has economic value, the
government must ensure that students studying at overseas campuses receive the
same quality of teaching and student experience as those based in the UK. She
warned that the success of the UK international education strategy depends on
maintaining high standards regardless of location.
The policy shift comes amid declining international student visa
numbers. In last year’s autumn budget, the government announced a new levy of
£925 per international student per year of study, adding to the overall cost of
studying in the UK.
In the year ending June 2025, 431,725 sponsored study visas were
granted, an 18% drop from the previous year and a 34% decline from the peak of
652,072 recorded in the year ending June 2023. These figures have fuelled
debate over whether the UK international education strategy should focus more
on stabilising domestic recruitment.
Data from UCAS suggests a more nuanced trend. The number of
international students applying for undergraduate courses rose by 2.2% to
138,460 in 2025, with a record 10% increase in applicants from China.
This mixed picture highlights the challenge facing policymakers as they
reshape the UK international education strategy: balancing global expansion
with the continued appeal of UK campuses, while ensuring quality, compliance,
and long-term sustainability for one of the country’s most valuable export
sectors.
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