UK higher education has had a strong international reputation for many years. However, increasing competition for international students and recent reputational challenges may hinder UK institutions’ ability to support global higher education growth, and the growing need for upskilling and reskilling.
Whilst there are challenges, UK higher education remains in a strong position to take advantage of these opportunities. The expansion of transnational education (TNE) via online learning, and partnerships with industry-connected providers offers one promising route to meeting global higher education and skills needs.
Demand for higher education has grown significantly over the past few decades, and enrolments are projected to reach nearly 600 million by 2040. However, the global share of enrolments is set to shift, with regions like Western Europe declining, while other regions are expected to grow. For example, the number of enrolments in the Arab states region is predicted to double, driven by factors such as demographic and geopolitical shifts.
There is also a widely acknowledged need for upskilling and reskilling globally, largely due to technological changes. The OECD has estimated that 1.1 billion jobs are likely to be transformed by these changes over the next decade. Consequently, the need for access to high-quality education, aligned with the evolving needs of industries, is becoming increasingly acute.
