A quarter of those were classed as “distance learners”, meaning they were registered at British campuses but studying from another country. Seven per cent were enrolled at British universities’ overseas branch campuses.
It follows an increase in the number of UK universities opening international campuses, with about 30 British institutions now offering degrees through their foreign branches.
The UK University Overseas Campus Network includes institutions such as the University of Westminster’s branch in Uzbekistan, the University of Salford’s campus in Bahrain, and De Montford University’s outposts in Dubai and Kazakhstan.
Many UK universities have also set up partnerships with foreign institutions, allowing them to “validate” degrees based on local curricula as long as they meet British standards.
Experts have suggested “transnational education” will likely become more popular in the coming years as UK universities grapple with a drop in lucrative international students enrolling in Britain.
Although often cheaper than degrees offered to foreign students who study on UK soil, “transnational” degrees still contributed around £2.4 billion to the UK economy in 2021, according to Government estimates.
Hepi found that UK degrees obtained in other countries are also more accessible for overseas students, while boosting “British influence abroad”.
However, the think tank warned that there is currently sparse data available about the quality of such degrees, meaning “we know very little about these students”.
It called on the Office for Students (OfS), the higher education watchdog, to publish more information about the subjects studied by “transnational” students, how many of them finish their degrees, and whether they go on to successful careers.
China, Sri Lanka and Malaysia had the highest numbers of “transnational education” students studying for UK qualifications last year, according to data from the Higher Education Statistics Authority.
The three countries accounted for more than 30 per cent of “offshore” students enrolled at British universities between them in 2022/23. Meanwhile, students living in EU countries accounted for just 16 per cent of the total.
‘Reputation for excellence’
Nick Hillman, director of Hepi, said: “Over half a million people study for UK higher education qualifications abroad. That is a huge vote of confidence in our education system.
“It is vitally important both for the students and for our wider reputation that qualifications delivered overseas are of a similar quality to those delivered here in the UK, with robust feedback loops and trustworthy regulation.”
Josh Fleming, director of strategy and delivery at the OfS, said: “The English higher education sector has a deserved reputation for excellence, and transnational education allows students around the world to benefit.
“The OfS regulates on behalf of all students at registered English universities and colleges, wherever they study. These students, in England and abroad, deserve to enjoy the fantastic experience that English higher education has to offer.
“We are planning to make substantial improvements to the data we collect on transnational education. We’re looking forward to working with the sector to ensure this results in effective regulation that protects students and minimises burden for institutions.”
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