The UK international education strategy is set for a major overhaul as ministers move away from fixed targets for recruiting overseas students and instead prioritise expanding British education abroad. Under the new approach, universities and education providers will be encouraged to open international hubs and partnerships, bringing UK education to students “on their own doorsteps”.
The government confirmed that it will scrap the previous goal of attracting 600,000 international students a year to study in the UK, a target first set in 2019. In its place, the revised UK international education strategy will aim to boost global “education exports” to £40 billion annually by 2030, reflecting a broader shift towards transnational education and offshore delivery.
New Export-Driven Targets Replace Student Number Goals
The policy move, according to the Department for Education, shows a desire to maintain the UK's global prominence in education while rebalancing growth. Ministers think British universities can reach millions more students while easing the burden on local migration statistics by concentrating on foreign delivery.
According to a statement from the government, "this approach removes targets on the number of international students in the UK and shifts the focus towards growing education exports overseas by backing UK providers to expand internationally, build partnerships abroad, and deliver UK education in new markets."
The action represents a major shift in the UK's approach to foreign education, indicating that the success of UK degrees will be determined more by their global reach than by the number of students who enroll on British campuses.
Tougher Compliance Rules For UK-Based Study Visas
The government announced that it would implement "toughened compliance standards" for educational institutions that recruit students to study in the UK in conjunction with the strategy change. The goal of these steps is to guarantee that those coming into the nation on study visas are actually students.
Universities may be subject to recruitment caps or possibly have their permission to sponsor overseas students revoked if they don't comply with the new requirements. According to officials, the goal of the compliance crackdown is to preserve the system's integrity while bolstering the UK's international education strategy's long-term credibility.
Ministers Stress Continued Welcome For International Students
Despite removing numerical targets, ministers insisted the UK remains open to international students. Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said overseas expansion would allow institutions to diversify income streams and strengthen global ties while still benefiting the domestic economy.
“By expanding overseas, our universities, colleges and education providers can diversify income, strengthen global partnerships and give millions more access to a world-class UK education on their doorstep, all whilst boosting growth at home,” Phillipson said.
The government also pointed to its commitment to rejoining Erasmus+ in 2027 as evidence that international collaboration remains a priority under the revised UK international education strategy.
Student Leaders Raise Concerns Over Campus Experience
Student leaders, however, voiced worry that studying with peers from around the world could become less valuable due to offshore hubs. International students are essential to the UK's academic standing, according to AmiraCampbell, president of NUS UK.
Instead of being on other countries, she stated, "Students want to learn alongside our peers." "International students on our campuses are integral to this reputation."
Campbell added that while exporting education has economic value, the government must ensure that students studying at overseas campuses receive the same quality of teaching and student experience as those based in the UK. She warned that the success of the UK international education strategy depends on maintaining high standards regardless of location.
Visa Numbers Fall As Costs Rise
The policy shift comes amid declining international student visa numbers. In last year’s autumn budget, the government announced a new levy of £925 per international student per year of study, adding to the overall cost of studying in the UK.
In the year ending June 2025, 431,725 sponsored study visas were granted, an 18% drop from the previous year and a 34% decline from the peak of 652,072 recorded in the year ending June 2023. These figures have fuelled debate over whether the UK international education strategy should focus more on stabilising domestic recruitment.
Applications Show Mixed Picture
Data from UCAS suggests a more nuanced trend. The number of international students applying for undergraduate courses rose by 2.2% to 138,460 in 2025, with a record 10% increase in applicants from China.
This mixed picture highlights the challenge facing policymakers as they reshape the UK international education strategy: balancing global expansion with the continued appeal of UK campuses, while ensuring quality, compliance, and long-term sustainability for one of the country’s most valuable export sectors.
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