Boost transnational education offerings in India, UK told

Offering more degrees on Indian soil could help UK universities maintain a steady source of income and weather the ups and downs of international student flows, according to new findings.

The researchers behind a study carried out by Times Higher Education’s consultancy arm in collaboration with the online platform Studyportals suggest that transnational education (TNE) – in which institutions offer degree courses abroad – could be a useful way of providing much-wanted stability amid shifting mobility patterns.

“As the global market for Indian students becomes increasingly competitive, increasing TNE provision in India provides a sustainable alternative to ensure a stable future pipeline of students,” say the authors, led by consultancy director Ishan Calder.  

The recommendation comes as British institutions rely more heavily on Indian students for international fees.

This April, India surpassed China as the world’s most populous country; it is responsible for the second-largest cohort of overseas students in the UK, after China, and “arguably the most important market for UK university international recruitment”, according to the researchers.

The number of Indian students in the UK has shot up in recent years, from roughly 12,000 to more than 80,000 by 2022. Meanwhile, China saw a relatively modest increase in that time, from around 70,000 to more than 90,000 students.

But even as leaders in the sector – notably, former UK universities minister Lord Johnson of Marylebone – have promoted India as a welcome addition to the mix, amid political tension and restrictive Covid-19 measures in China, others have warned against the UK’s over-reliance on both Asian countries.

Report authors also express caution. Despite a bumper year in the number of Indian students headed to the UK in 2021-22, a large part of the increase was due to postgraduate students, who pay lower fees.

The researchers also noted a recent decline in Indian students’ interest in studying abroad, with the majority of destination countries – exceptions include Australia and New Zealand – less searched-for online by students. Though the UK remains a top destination for Indian students, here too interest slumped, with an 11 per cent year-on-year decline.

Offering education in India could help “minimise, to a small extent” the effects of the UK’s crackdown on dependants coming into the country, the researchers suggest.

Under new rules set out by the government, from January 2024, international students will be banned from bringing family members to the UK unless they are on postgraduate research courses. To date, UK universities have invested less in TNE in India relative to other Asian countries, something the report authors say relates to “perceived over-regulation and lack of clarity about collaboration requirements” for joint degrees.

But, with recent Indian government changes meant to spur internationalisation of India’s education sector under its 2020 National Education Policy, policymakers have cut red tape, clearing the way for more foreign campuses in the country.

Although it’s an “opportune” time for UK universities looking to get involved in India, said Dr Calder, he urged UK institutions to “pay a bit more attention” to the needs of Indian universities when setting up joint and dual degree programmes.

“The operating model of what TNE should look like is still not 100 per cent there – just saying ‘we’re open for business’ isn’t enough; there needs to be more understanding of the attractiveness of developing a TNE offer in India” he said, referencing many universities’ hesitancy.

“With China, there’s an obvious language barrier, which is embedded into expectations of how business is conducted,” he said.

“With India, there’s a high level of proficiency in English…but, actually, there can still be certain barriers in intercultural communications, particularly over the norms and practices. There are also quite different administrative structures between UK and Indian universities, but it is a real step forward that the NEP recommends Indian universities to set up international offices to deal specifically with issues of internationalisation and TNE.”

pola.lem@timeshighereducation.com