Event Summary

With the UK’s International Education Strategy targeting £40 billion in education exports by 2030, universities, colleges, schools, and TNE providers need to rethink how they recruit, partner, and expand internationally.

This timely inaugural one-day conference brings together senior leaders from across higher education, skills, policy and global partnerships to explore new opportunities in international education and address barriers to sustainable growth and expansion.

Westminster Insight’s UK International Education Strategy Conference brings together senior experts from the Education Sector Action Group (ESAG), British Council, Department for Business and Trade, Association of Colleges, UK Skills Partnership, Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), and more.

With plans to expand education exports through mutually beneficial partnerships, senior leaders and decision-makers responsible for international strategy, global engagement, student recruitment, transnational education, skills development and international partnerships from universities, colleges, independent schools and international partners should all plan to attend.

The Education Sector Action Group was relaunched in April with a 100-day action plan. Hear directly from members about how they are supporting implementation of the UK’s International Education Strategy. What are their recommendations for removing barriers to growth and leveraging new opportunities? How will Sector Action Plans act as the primary delivery mechanism for achieving the Strategy’s ambitions?

Immigration rules are shifting. New Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) thresholds, an updated Agent Quality Framework, and a proposed International Student Levy are all incoming. Legal experts and sector leaders will discuss these changes and share best practice for the sustainable and compliant recruitment of high-quality international students. Hear from leading institutions about how they are maintaining a competitive offer and navigating an increasingly complex policy landscape.

Hear from leading universities and schools on how they are modelling international enrolment and forecasting the reach and revenue potential of global partnerships. Transnational Education (TNE) is becoming increasingly central to sustainable export growth, and we will hear from the British Council about its newly launched TNE Strategy and the support available to enter new markets, including the role of diplomatic networks and local education champions.

Real-world examples of branch campuses and expansion partnership models will provide an honest assessment of the risks and rewards of different approaches. We will also examine what robust due diligence looks like before entering a new market, covering workforce considerations, regulatory requirements, and geopolitical risks.

With a focus on outward international mobility and global engagement, we will also explore Erasmus+ and the Turing Scheme, and discuss how institutions can align systems, partnerships and strategy to maximise the opportunities these programmes present.

Don’t miss this opportunity to review and rethink your international strategy, gain the latest updates from leading experts, and learn from best practice across the sector to inform your next steps for international growth and expansion.

Key Points

  • Maximising opportunities for growth through the UK’s International Education Strategy
  • The Education Sector Action Group (ESAG) Action Plan: recommendations from key members to support expansion and growth
  • Latest updates on the Sector Action Plans and their implementation
  • Diversifying your international growth strategy: reviewing different business models for expansion
  • Responding to new immigration rules, 2026 Student Sponsor Guidance updates, revised Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) requirements, and the proposed International Student Levy
  • Enhanced oversight of education agents and the updated Agent Quality Framework (AQF)
  • Creating opportunities for young people through Erasmus+ and the Turing Scheme
  • Expanding education exports through mutually beneficial partnerships and cross-sector collaboration
  • Positioning UK education as a driver of shared prosperity, economic transformation and global influence

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Group discounts

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