Among the students studying abroad, 27 percent were taught by overseas partner organizations while 25 percent received distance, flexible, or distributed learning.
Among the students studying abroad, 27 percent were taught by overseas partner organizations while 25 percent received distance, flexible, or distributed learning.
One in six students registered at universities and colleges in England is receiving education abroad, according to recent findings from the Office for Students, the higher education watchdog.
The OfS report raised concerns about some overseas partner institutions prioritizing student numbers over quality, and the challenge of overseeing all aspects of teaching due to subcontracting, as per PA Media release via Yahoo News.
The report also revealed that students living overseas make up 16 percent of the total student population enrolled in English institutions.
In the academic year 2021-22, 146 universities and colleges in England provided education to 455,000 students in other countries. China had the highest proportion of transnational education students, accounting for 14 percent or 61,505 students of the total.
Among the students studying abroad, 27 percent were taught by overseas partner organizations while 25 percent received distance, flexible, or distributed learning.
Additionally, 6 percent of students studied at English universities’ branch campuses overseas, while the remaining 42 percent were covered by various arrangements, including collaborative provision.
The OfS report stated that TNE is increasingly significant as an income stream for many English universities.
The report also revealed that in July of the previous year, the watchdog engaged with seven English universities to understand how they ensure the delivery of high-quality education overseas.
The challenges identified by these universities included the preference of overseas partner institutions for prioritizing student numbers over quality and the complications arising from subcontracting arrangements.
In 2021-22, the Open University had the highest number of students with 46,300 living and studying overseas, accounting for 10 percent of the total TNE population. The University of London was responsible for 37,400 students or 8 percent of the total, while Coventry University had 21,400 students or 5 percent.
Jean Arnold, the OfS director of quality, emphasized the importance of maintaining high-quality education for students studying outside the UK. She stated that transnational education is a vital and thriving part of the higher education sector in England, and ensuring robust regulation is crucial for enhancing the reputation of English higher education globally.
Nick Hillman, the director of the Higher Education Policy Institute think tank, expressed enthusiasm regarding the findings, describing transnational education as an opportunity for individuals who prefer to study from their home countries or cannot afford to study abroad.
He also highlighted the environmental benefits, as it allows UK universities to expand their reach without increasing carbon emissions from additional flights.
OfS is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Education.
