In January, the UK Government announced a new International Education Strategy with education as a key driver of economic growth and global influence.
The strategy sets out a clear ambition to increase the value of UK education exports to £40 billion annually by 2030, building on a sector that already contributes around £32 billion each year to the UK economy.
Education as a Major Export Sector
Education is one of the UK’s most significant export industries, encompassing:
The new strategy highlights the growing global demand for high-quality education and the UK’s strong position in meeting that demand.
A key shift from the previous 2019 strategy is a stronger focus on expanding UK education provision overseas, rather than setting targets for international student recruitment in the UK. Providers are encouraged to build international partnerships, enter new markets and deliver UK education on a global scale.
To support this, the Government plans to reduce barriers to international delivery, identify priority markets and establish an Education Sector Action Group to help address challenges to growth.
The strategy also highlights the role of digital learning, AI and skills-based education in driving future export growth, alongside the importance of maintaining quality and strengthening compliance requirements.
In addition to economic benefits, the strategy aims to enhance the UK’s global influence through education partnerships, while continuing to support outward mobility for UK students through initiatives such as the Turing Scheme and participation in Erasmus+ from 2027.
Read more here: www.gov.uk/government/news/strategy-to-boost-uk-education-abroad-in-major-40bn-growth-drive
Download the strategy here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/696a6164448fedc1eb4248ef/international-education-strategy-2026.pdf
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