With 2024/25 marking a period of restructuring and reorganisation in global student mobility, the landscape of international education is evolving.
This shift is being driven by a combination of policy changes in study destinations, economic downturns in source markets, persistent gaps in domestic higher education systems across many developing markets, and changing student profiles and preferences.
Affordability now ranks first when deciding to study abroad, with proximity to home and faster pathways to employment also ranking highly. At the same time, students continue to seek high-quality academic programmes and outcomes.
As a result, traditional student mobility patterns are shifting, creating new opportunities for alternative delivery models, including Transnational Education (TNE).
Short on time? Key takeaways:
TNE is becoming a core growth lever. As visa policies tighten and onshore capacity becomes constrained, transnational education is moving from a complementary activity to a central pillar of internationalisation strategy.
Student demand is rebalancing, not declining. Global intent to study abroad remains strong, but students are increasingly prioritising affordability, proximity, and lower-risk pathways, making TNE a more attractive option.
There is no single TNE model. Institutions need to align delivery models with their risk appetite, operational capacity, and strategic goals.
Growth is shifting to new host markets. Countries such as India, China, and Bangladesh are actively enabling TNE expansion through regulatory changes and investment in domestic capacity.
Partnerships determine success. Strong local partners are critical for delivery quality, regulatory navigation, and long-term sustainability.
Execution will differentiate winners. Institutions that act early, select TNE destinations carefully, and align programmes with local demand can capture the growing opportunities in transnational education.
The evolving TNE landscape
It is fair to say that the UK pioneered the modern TNE model with the launch of the External Programme by the University of London in 1858. This initiative allowed students around the world to study locally and earn a University of London degree without travelling to the UK.
Many contemporary TNE formats, including franchise arrangements, validation partnerships, and offshore programmes, can trace their origins to this early model.
According to BONARD Education’s estimates, close to 1 million international students in 2024/25 were enrolled outside the study destination while studying for an international qualification through TNE arrangements.
1 Million International students enrolled via TNE in 2024/25
This represents approximately 5% growth compared to 2023/24.
Looking ahead, demand for TNE is expected to continue growing, driven by increasing interest from traditionally strong source markets such as China and India, which are expanding domestic access to international education through TNE.
Based on current trends, we expect the global TNE market to grow by up to 10% annually in enrolments in the coming years.
10% Expected annual enrolment growth in the global TNE market
Figure: Global TNE enrolment forecast and growth trajectory.
Global approaches to TNE
While the UK remains the global leader in exporting academic programmes, this position is supported by a long-standing national strategy to internationalise higher education.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
UK universities have built large-scale international delivery networks, relying on several key models:
Franchise programs, currently the largest TNE format used by UK institutions, allow partner institutions abroad to deliver UK degrees locally. These arrangements are highly scalable and cost-efficient.
Validation partnerships, another distinctive UK model, where a UK university validates programs delivered by a partner institution, enables rapid international expansion with somewhat less direct operational control.
International branch campuses, which provide strong institutional visibility and often enrol large student populations, although they require significant investment and operational oversight.
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia has taken a slightly different approach, building a strong Asia–Pacific TNE footprint through a mix of branch campuses, offshore partner delivery, and franchise arrangements.
Australian universities also make extensive use of twinning and transfer programs, allowing international students to complete part of their studies locally before continuing their degrees in Australia.
🇺🇸 United States
In contrast, US universities typically use fewer standardised TNE formats; they emphasise high-control partnerships, including joint universities, dual-degree programs, and international branch campuses.
Beyond the traditional exporters, several countries are expanding their presence in transnational education.
🇨🇦 Canada
Canada tends to avoid large-scale franchise models, instead focusing on joint programs, exchange partnerships, and online delivery models. Interest in international collaboration is growing rapidly: during a recent Canadian higher-education delegation visit to India involving 20 leading institutions, 13 new memoranda of understanding were signed, covering joint academic programming, dual credentials, and potential TNE arrangements.
🇰🇷 South Korea
South Korea has also been expanding international education partnerships, particularly through global campuses and joint universities. Korean institutions are increasingly exploring overseas programs, especially in Vietnam and Central Asia.
🇪🇺 Europe
Across Europe, TNE activity remains relatively fragmented due to national education systems. However, European universities have pioneered cross-border joint institutions and collaborative programs, including partnerships in China, Singapore, and the Middle East.
🇷🇺 Russia
Meanwhile, Russia has historically focused on exporting education within the post-Soviet region, establishing branch campuses and joint institutions in neighbouring countries. More recently, we are also tracking growing collaboration and academic presence in China.
Emerging TNE destinations
As noted earlier, institutions from leading study destinations are increasingly incorporating TNE into their growth strategies, particularly where onshore student enrolments are constrained by policy, capacity, or visa regulations.
At the same time, delivery formats and partnership models continue to evolve. We are likely to see greater competition in the TNE space, as more international award programs, dual degrees, and transfer pathways become available to students.
While some host countries are approaching levels of maturity or saturation, others are opening new expansion opportunities. In many cases, governments are actively encouraging international partnerships through policy reforms, incentives, and bilateral agreements aimed at addressing skills shortages, attracting regional talent, and strengthening the competitiveness of domestic higher-education systems.
🇮🇳 India: Opening the door to foreign campuses
Amid increasingly constrained outbound student mobility, India has recently implemented one of the most significant policy shifts globally toward hosting foreign universities.
Under regulatory changes following the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the government has approved multiple international universities to establish campuses in the country.
By 2025-2026, at least 12 foreign universities had received Letters of Intent to open campuses across India. Among them are Lancaster University and the University of New South Wales, both planning campuses in Bengaluru.
These institutions will be able to operate with full foreign ownership, set tuition fees independently, and award their own degrees, creating a new model for international higher education within India.
🇨🇳 China: Expanding joint universities and TNE partnerships
China has been expanding international higher-education partnerships for more than a decade, and recent policy adjustments continue to support collaboration, strengthen the quality and international competitiveness of its higher education system, while retaining more domestic students who might otherwise study abroad.
China is reportedly targeting an increase in TNE enrolment from about 800,000 to up to 8 million students in the next 10 years, reflecting a significant shift toward scaling international education.
In 2025 alone, 159 new joint institutesor individual joint programs were approved, further strengthening the country’s extensive network of Sino-foreign education partnerships.
Most of these initiatives take the form of joint institutes or dual-degree programs, rather than fully independent foreign campuses, allowing international universities to collaborate closely with Chinese institutions while aligning with national regulatory frameworks.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh: Exploring TNE and international campuses
Bangladesh represents an emerging TNE destination, with policymakers exploring international partnerships to improve higher-education quality and reduce outbound student flows.
Foreign institutions are currently considering branch campuses, dual-degree programs, and broader academic collaborations in the country. Government stakeholders have emphasised the importance of modernising the higher-education sector through international engagement.
A significant milestone was recently reached when Malaysia’s UCSI University received approval to establish Bangladesh’s first international branch campus, with academic activities already underway in Dhaka.
Conclusion
Institutions that approach TNE strategically, aligning delivery models with market demand and regulatory frameworks, will be best positioned to scale effectively in the upcoming years.
However, successful expansion requires careful planning and disciplined execution.
When considering TNE as a growth pathway, institutions should focus on several key priorities:
Select the appropriate delivery format and assess return on investment (ROI). TNE models vary significantly in cost and risk. From capital-intensive branch campuses with longer payback periods to more flexible franchise arrangements or transfer pathways that can scale faster.
Assess host-market demand carefully, taking into account regulatory frameworks, competitive landscape, market saturation, and realistic tuition pricing.
Prioritise academic programs with strong demand, ensuring that the chosen disciplines align with local labour market needs and student interest.
Build partnerships with reliable local institutions, as strong partners are critical for operational success, regulatory navigation, and long-term sustainability.
Continuously monitor market data and global developments, identifying emerging opportunities as well as potential risks, such as geopolitical tensions or policy changes that may disrupt cross-border education operations.
By combining the right delivery models, market intelligence, and strategic partnerships, institutions can capture the growing opportunities in transnational education.
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