The Government has unveiled a new International Education Strategy, positioning education as a central driver of national renewal and UK economic growth. The strategy aims to increase the value of UK education exports to £40 billion a year by 2030, building on an already strong sector worth £32 billion annually. 'Education exports' include UK schools, colleges and universities delivering British education overseas, international students studying in the UK, and the global provision of UK qualifications, training and digital learning.
The new approach removes targets on international student numbers in the UK. While international students remain welcome, the focus shifts towards growing education exports overseas by supporting UK institutions to build partnerships, open campuses abroad and deliver UK education in new and expanding markets. This will allow top students worldwide to access UK education closer to home.
The strategy also aims to support universities in diversifying and strengthening their business models, widening access to UK qualifications, and sustaining jobs and investment across the UK. Around 620,000 students are already registered with UK universities overseas, across nearly 200 countries and territories.
Professor Malcolm Press CBE, President of Universities UK, said:
"Universities UK warmly welcomes the UK Government's new International Education Strategy.
It signals a renewed commitment to fostering the global reach, reputation and impact of our universities, and recognises the huge benefits this delivers to our global partners and to communities across the whole of the UK.
The new strategy provides a clear framework for growth and partnership that will benefit learners, the economy, and the UK's international standing."
In addition, the Government is tightening compliance for institutions recruiting international students to ensure integrity in the system, with sanctions for providers that fail to meet standards.
The strategy also strengthens skills and technical education exports, backs colleges to expand internationally, and enhances global opportunities for UK students, with a sixth year of the Turing Scheme confirmed to support international placements. It comes as the Government has also announced the UK will join the Erasmus+ programme in 2027.
Last updated: 20 January 2026