A new report reveals that almost 600,000 students are earning UK degrees without ever setting foot in the country.
The number of students enrolled in British universities overseas has increased significantly in recent years, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi).
The Telegraph reported that in 2023, 576,705 students were enrolled “offshore” in UK degrees, up from 432,500 in 2019-20. This means that around 16% of all UK higher education students are now studying abroad.
The trend of UK degrees being obtained overseas has grown by a third over the past three years. A notable portion of these students, about a quarter, were categorized as “distance learners,” meaning they were officially enrolled at British universities but were studying from abroad.
The increase in offshore students is linked to the expansion of “transnational education,” which involves UK universities offering degrees through their overseas branches or partnerships with foreign institutions.
While the increase in offshore UK students is seen as beneficial in terms of broadening access to British education, Hepi raised concerns about the quality of these degrees.
Director of strategy and delivery at the OfS, Josh Fleming, expressed support for transnational education, highlighting the global benefits of UK higher education.