Policy Threads

International Education Strategy Update

The International Education Strategy Update, coordinated across the Department for Business and Trade, Department for Education, and Department for International Trade, positions UK education as a strategic export sector and tool for soft power and economic growth. The 2026 strategy update emphasises education's role in Asia-Pacific trade relationships, alignment with industrial strategy, and cross-government coordination through embassies and trade missions. Current focus includes deepening partnerships with Japan, integrating education into broader economic security dialogues, and maximising UK higher education and digital education exports.

26 Jun 2023 | Committee report Department for Education Department for the Economy (Northern Ireland) Department of Health (Northern Ireland) Scottish Government Welsh Government linked

UK Education Ministers Council Communiqué: 8 June 2023

In response to: Communiqués from the Interministerial Group for Education: January 2022 to June 2023

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15 Jun 2022 | Written evidence linked

We received written evidence from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), which told us that it also projected growth in recruitment of both domestic 18-year-olds and international students between now and 2026. UCAS projected that the 2026 admissions cycle would have one million applicants compared with just over 700,000 in 2021. About 40% of this increase would be attributable to growth in demand from UK 18- year-olds (driven by increases in both application rates and the p...

We received written evidence from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), which told us that it also projected growth in recruitment of both domestic 18-year-olds and international students between now and 2026. UCAS projected that the 2026 admissions cycle …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

15 Jun 2022 | Written evidence linked

In 2019–20, more than 340,000 overseas students came from 204 countries worldwide (excluding the EU and UK): 35% of those came from China and 14% from India.30 We received written evidence from Universities UK that this income stream may be subject to pressure from wider concerns, with overreliance on certain countries that may leave UK universities vulnerable to competition and concerns about global affairs.31 The Department told us that it was seeking to encourage providers to diversify the...

In 2019–20, more than 340,000 overseas students came from 204 countries worldwide (excluding the EU and UK): 35% of those came from China and 14% from India.30 We received written evidence from Universities UK that this income stream may be …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK