he British Council has announced a new global strategy to support the continued growth and diversification of UK transnational education (TNE), aiming to bolster international partnerships while ensuring long-term sustainability and shared global benefits.

Revealed by chief executive Scott McDonald during the Going Global 2025 conference, the strategy seeks to reinforce the UK’s leadership in cross-border higher education by promoting mutual benefit, sustainable development, and intercultural understanding.

“This strategy is the result of wide collaboration with UK and international partners and reaffirms our collective ambition: to ensure UK TNE continues to grow, diversify, and deliver impact – locally and globally, to shape connected, resilient, and equitable transnational education,”
— Scott McDonald, British Council CEO

📈 TNE Growth Outpaces Domestic Enrolments

British Council data shows the UK’s TNE footprint continues to expand rapidly. In 2023/24, more than 650,000 students were enrolled in UK degree programmes delivered overseas — a 7.8% year-on-year increase and nearly 10% average annual growth over the past five years.

At the current growth rate, UK universities could soon have more students studying abroad than within the UK, marking a major shift in international education dynamics.

Key markets showing strong growth include:

• Saudi Arabia
• Sri Lanka
• United Arab Emirates

Emerging markets gaining momentum:

• Vietnam
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• India

🌍 Strategic Priorities

The strategy aims to:

• Deepen global academic partnerships
• Support equitable access to quality higher education
• Strengthen local capacity building in partner countries
• Enhance cultural and academic exchange
• Promote research collaboration and sustainable development outcomes