Context
Transnational education (TNE)—the delivery of UK higher education qualifications outside the UK—has become an increasingly significant part of the global higher education landscape. By 2022–23, more than 576,705 students were studying for UK qualifications through TNE partnerships across 228 countries and territories, delivered by 173 UK higher education providers.
Over the past two decades, the British Council has produced an extensive body of research exploring the opportunities, challenges and impact of UK transnational education worldwide. However, much of this knowledge had been generated through individual studies, making it difficult for policymakers, universities and sector stakeholders to access a consolidated understanding of the evidence.
Following the launch of the British Council Transnational Education Strategy 2023–25, there was a need to synthesise this research into accessible, strategic insights that could support decision-making across the UK higher education sector and strengthen the British Council’s role as a global authority on TNE.
TELT was commissioned to analyse and synthesise British Council research on TNE published since 2021 and present the insights in a coherent, accessible format aligned with the four strategic actions of the TNE Strategy.
Implementation
The project began with a comprehensive review of British Council research and insight publications relating to transnational education. The team analysed findings from multiple studies exploring areas such as international higher education partnerships, regulatory environments, student experiences and the evolving global TNE landscape.
Insights from this research were synthesised into a series of six thematic briefs, including four aligned to the key strategic actions in the TNE Strategy:
- Data and Insight – analysing global TNE participation trends and improving understanding of the scale and value of UK TNE.
- Enabling Environment – examining regulatory frameworks, quality assurance systems and institutional conditions that support successful TNE partnerships.
- Local Contexts and Environments – analysing how national policy, education systems and language proficiency influence the development of TNE.
- Local and Global Impact – exploring how TNE contributes to capacity building, economic development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Two additional briefs explored cross-cutting themes:
- The Evolving Landscape of TNE, including emerging delivery models and future scenarios for international higher education collaboration.
- The TNE Student Experience, examining who TNE students are, their motivations for studying UK degrees and their educational and career outcomes.
Alongside the written briefs, the project developed a communications strategy and suite of visual assets, including infographics, presentations and digital media content. These resources were designed to translate complex research findings into accessible formats for use across British Council communications channels and international events.
Impact
The TNE – What We Know project transformed a fragmented body of research into a coherent knowledge framework supporting strategic decision-making across the international education sector.
The research synthesis highlights the scale and continuing growth of UK transnational education, with TNE student numbers rising steadily over recent years and collaborative partnerships emerging as the fastest-growing form of delivery.
The project also demonstrates that the value of TNE extends far beyond export revenue. Research shows that TNE partnerships support capacity building in teaching and research, knowledge transfer, improved quality assurance processes and stronger international collaboration between institutions.
Evidence from stakeholder surveys suggests that TNE can contribute to widening participation in higher education, with 68% of respondents reporting that TNE programmes increase access for students from under-represented socioeconomic groups and 63% identifying improved gender balance as a positive outcome.
The project also highlights the importance of understanding the local context in which TNE partnerships operate. Factors such as national education policy, regulatory frameworks, language proficiency and labour market needs all influence the design and success of international partnerships.
By consolidating these insights into clear thematic briefs and engaging visual content, the project has strengthened the British Council’s ability to share evidence with policymakers, higher education institutions and international partners. The resulting knowledge products support informed dialogue about the future of global higher education and reinforce the British Council’s role as a trusted source of expertise on transnational education.
Key Findings at a Glance
UK TNE operates at global scale
Over 576,000 students study UK qualifications through TNE partnerships in 228 countries, demonstrating the global reach of UK higher education.
Collaborative partnerships are the fastest-growing delivery model
International partnerships between UK institutions and overseas universities are becoming the dominant mode of TNE provision.
TNE generates broad educational value
Host countries value TNE for its contribution to teaching capacity, research collaboration, knowledge transfer and improved quality assurance.
Local contexts strongly influence partnerships
Government policy, regulatory frameworks, institutional capacity and English language proficiency all shape the feasibility of TNE partnerships.
TNE contributes to global development goals
International education partnerships play a significant role in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas such as quality education, gender equality and inclusive economic growth.
3 Big Insights
1. Transnational education is a major global education system
With hundreds of thousands of students worldwide, UK TNE represents a significant and growing component of international higher education.
2. Partnerships are central to sustainable international education
Collaborative models enable institutions to share expertise, build research capacity and develop education systems in partner countries.
3. Knowledge synthesis strengthens policy influence
Transforming fragmented research into clear insights allows organisations to support better decision-making across governments, universities and international education networks.