Implementing the International Education Strategy

International Education Council meeting25 September 2013

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International Education – Global Growth and Prosperity

The context: Why we need to act

1. No return to the old growth modelA stable macro business environment is key to enabling growth•Previous growth model based on government spending, consumption and property speculation.

•Contribution to GDP from Govt activity grew from 0.3% between 1990-99 to 0.7% between 1999-2008 – becoming 2nd most important driver of growth.

•Deficit means Government spending cannot contribute to growth to the same degree.

2. UK’s relative position is being challenged

If the UK stands still there is a danger we will be left behind• Globalisation and rise of BRICS economies changing UK’s relative position in global economy.

• Developing countries competing higher up the value chain, challenging UK’s comparative advantage.

CONCLUSION: The UK Growth Strategy – strong, sustainable & balanced growth

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International Education – Global Growth and Prosperity

Industrial Strategy: government and industry in partnership

Industrial Strategy: Long term; Partnership with business; Whole of Government approach; and Giving businesses the confidence to invest.

Five principles of Industrial strategy:

1. spectrum of support for all sectors

2. Supporting emerging technologies including the “8 Great”;

3. Working with business to help develop skills that businesses will need;

4. Working to improve access to finance for businesses;

5. Giving confidence to business by publishing a forward look of government contracts.

International Education – Global Growth and Prosperity

The Education Sector

•This is one of 11 key sector strategies

•The International Education Strategy sets out how Government will work with all parts of the UK’s world-leading education sector to take advantage of new opportunities around the globe.

•Launched on 29th July 2013

International Education – the facts (1)

International Education – the facts (2)

Major Trends and Challenges

• International brands from Oxbridge to the Royal College of Music• World-class qualifications• A sector of independent, autonomous institutions with the confidence and expertise to

take decisions and develop strategies for themselves.• Science and research working closely with business to innovate and commercialise

ideas.

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• Lack of coordination between agencies and actors• Not structured for growth• Visas• Competition from new types of provider• Stronger country-to-country competition

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Summary of UK strengths and challenges

The Policies

• 1. A warm welcome for international studentsE.g. clear communication of ‘no cap on number of students’ policy; protection for

overseas students coming to the UK; brokerage for government scholarship schemes

• 2. Supporting Transnational Education (TNE)E.g. voluntary scheme for quality assurance of British schools and colleges overseas,

‘end-to’end’ offer on English language training; HE TNE quality assurance consultation

3. Leading the world in education technologyE.g. encourage developments in MOOCs; Technology Strategy Board design call to

exploit modern edtech; expert advice group to improve learning across skills sector

• 4. Building a new relationship with emerging powersE.g. Focus on China, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, Turkey, Mexico, Indonesia

and the Gulf; DFID to double investment in development HE partnerships; FCO expanding number of Chevening scholars; outward mobility strategy for HE

• 5. Building the UK brand and seizing opportunities• E.g. New ‘Education is GREAT’ campaign; refresh of ‘Education UK’ recruitment

service; new UKTI Education team to take advantage of high value opportunities

Summary of key policy strands

Implementation

• A wide range of issues to be progressed in the next six months, • including:

• Building the UK brand• UKTI Education’s work• HE outward mobility strategy• Mutual recognition of qualifications• DFID Higher Education Taskforce• English Language Training offer

• Measuring success:• Based on the average rate of international student number growth over the last

three years for which data is available (3.7%), the Government estimates that the number of international higher education students at publicly-funded HEIs in the UK could increase by 15-20% over the next 5 years.

• The UKTI Education team will help build UK consortia to take advantage of high value opportunities overseas. By 2015 the Unit aims to secure contracts worth £1 billion, with a longer term goal of securing £3 billion by 2020.

Possible priorities

Implementation

• In order to drive implementation, the Council may wish to consider the following questions at its future meetings. Members areinvited to suggest other suitable topics.

• Does the Education Sector have access to all the skills it needs? 

• Education Technology: chasing the USA ?

• What support do schools and colleges need to expand overseas?

• How can we make the most of our strengths in different sectors to develop a stronger UK offer?

• Marketing and branding -  collectively promoting the UK?

• London: the world’s premier education city? 

• Access to finance - growing the international education sector;

• Development education - driving growth and prosperity;

• SMEs: their role in the sector and the support available.

The International Education Council Work Programme