UK higher education institutions are international organisations with growing numbers of international staff and students and links with higher education institutions around the world, overseas governments and international agencies. In particular, international students make an increasingly important contribution to UK higher education, forming 14% of the full-time student population in the UK.

At the postgraduate level international students make a vital contribution to the UK's research base, as around 40% of postgraduate research students in the UK are international students.

Universities UK works to ensure that the good reputation of UK universities internationally is sustained and developed and also maintains strong links and influence with key external partners and stakeholders in international higher education.

International visitors

Universities UK welcomes a number of international visitors every year and provides information on UK higher education and the work of Universities UK.

Europe

In January 2004 a UK sector-wide Europe Unit was launched in response to the burgeoning body of European legislation currently affecting higher education. The Europe Unit is a sector-wide body working in the interests of the UK higher education sector.

For more information please visit the Europe Unit's website

International Unit

The UK Higher Education International Unit has been established to coordinate, promote and undertake activities designed to support UK HEIs in a globally competitive world.

For more information please visit the International Unit's website

Talent Wars

Universities UK has undertaken work to investigate issues around international academic staff in UK HEIs. An analysis of the position was published in July 2007 as ‘Talent Wars: the market for international academic staff’. Universities UK is liaising with relevant sector bodies to take this work forward. 

Immigration

Universities UK has been active in working with the Home Office on a range of immigration issues. In particular there has been considerable activity around the development of the new immigration system and this will continue as the new system is implemented.

Specific activities include: 

• Attendance at the Joint Education Taskforce, this group by established by the Home Office to bring the education sector and Government together to discuss immigration issues. 
• Regular high-level contact with the Home Office through meetings with the Immigration Minister and senior officials. 
• Provision of information to HEIs through information notes and other briefings.
• Events for HEIs to learn about the new system and question Home Office officials. 
• Presentations to different sector groups and at a number of HEIs. 
• Universities UK response to the Border and Immigration Agency Visitors Consultation March 2008. 
• Universities UK response to the Migration Advisory Committee consultation on changes to Tier 1, Tier 2 and dependents June 2009. 

Universities UK publications

Borderless education

• The business of borderless education: UK perspectives - analysis and recommendations (July 2000)
• The business of borderless education: UK perspectives - case studies and annexes (July 2000)
• The business of borderless education: UK perspectives - summary report (March 2000)

Submissions

• Universities UK response to the Migration Advisory Committee consultation on changes to Tier 1, Tier 2 and dependents (June 2009) 
• Universities UK submission to the Border and Immigration Agency Visitors Consultation (March 2008) 
• Universities UK submission to the Home Office consultation on fees for the new points-based immigration system (2007)
• Universities UK submission to the Home Office consultation on charging (December 2006)
• Universities UK submission to the Home Office consultation on selective admission (2005)