UK Strategy 2013–2017 for outward mobility

Outward mobility is essential if UK higher education is to develop graduates who are equipped to compete on the global labour market, and can promote UK business and diplomatic interests worldwide. It also enhances the international profile of UK higher education, as students on overseas placements are excellent ambassadors for the UK.

The need for a UK Strategy was the principal recommendation of the 2012 Riordan Review, led by Professor Colin Riordan, Chair of the UK Higher Education International Unit (IU), and informed by a sector-wide consultation on the barriers to UK outward mobility. As a result, the Minister for Universities and Science, the Rt Hon David Willetts MP, asked Professor Riordan and the IU to lead the development of a sector-led Strategy for outward mobility.

Vision

The UK Strategy for Outward Mobility will facilitate an increase in the proportion of UK domiciled students who undertake international placements as part of their undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes, and help to address institutional barriers to participation in outward mobility in UK higher education.

Strategic objectives

In order to achieve its strategic vision of increasing the proportion of UK domiciled students accessing international opportunities, and contribute to the European Higher Education Area’s mobility target of 20% of graduating students with an international mobility experience as part of their studies by 2020, the UK Strategy for Outward Mobility has the following seven objectives:

1. Promote the benefits of study and work abroad
2. Monitor trends in student mobility
3. Build capacity in UK higher education to facilitate outward mobility
4. Address financial and institutional barriers to outward mobility
5. Create a flexible definition of outward mobility 
6. Share best practice in UK higher education
7. Provide a collective voice for UK higher education