The scale of UK higher education transnational education 2024-25

The report explores trends in regional growth, types of provision, and levels of study during the 2024–25 academic year, with insights on the evolution of UK HE TNE across the past five years.

Key findings include:

• There has been significant growth in TNE over the past five years. In 2024–25, UK TNE students totalled 699,660, a +7.0% increase from the previous year and +36.6% increase in five years (since 2020–21).  
• 183 UK higher education providers delivered TNE in 229 countries or territories in 2024–25.  
• The number of UK HE TNE students (699,660) has now exceeded the number of international students studying onshore in the UK (681,430), highlighting the UK’s dual strength in educating students both at home and overseas.  
• Asia hosted just over half of all UK TNE students (51.0%) in 2024–25. South Asia hosted 124,500 TNE students in 2024–25, a +76.9% increase since 2020–21. This is closely followed by East Asia, hosting 118,270 students (+35.6% increase), then Southeast Asia hosting 99,795 students (+14.3% increase). The remaining 13,885 students are based in Central and Western Asia (+53.2% increase). 
• Despite a drop in student numbers, Europe remained the second largest host region (16.3% of the total), followed by the Middle East (14.8%) and Africa (12.5%). Smaller TNE populations were hosted in North America (4.4%), South America (0.7%) and Australasia (0.4%). 
• Since 2020–21, all types of provision have grown, with the most significant growth seen in partnership provision (+51.4% increase in student numbers). This is followed by overseas campus provision (+30.3% increase) and distance learning (+6.8% increase).  

Read the full report