Transnational education (TNE), the delivery of education outside the home country of the awarding institution, is rapidly gaining momentum in the MENA region, with notable presence in Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE.
The British Council commissioned a report examining the sustainability of Transnational education in Egypt, Qatar and the UAE, and a framework to support UK universities and their local counterparts develop robust sustainable partnerships with lasting impact.
The five pillars
- The British Council’s Sustainable TNE framework outlines five key pillars essential for fostering successful and long-lasting transnational education partnerships.
- Mutual benefits: Success is not just about academic outcomes, it’s about creating value for students, institutions, and the wider community. Partnerships should deliver opportunities for all stakeholders.
- Leadership and people development: Strong leadership and continuous development of talent are essential to turn strategies into tangible results.
- Financial sustainability: For TNE partnerships to endure, they need robust financial models that balance access, quality, and long-term viability.
- Trust and communication: Building trust takes time and transparency. Open communication is the foundation for meaningful and impactful collaborations.
- Breadth and depth: Expanding access is vital, but so is creating deeper, transformative experiences that go beyond numbers.
TNE in Egypt
Egypt’s greatest strength lies in its youthful population, with over half of its citizens under 25, creating a large pool of potential university-age students. However, with a lower per capita income of $3,513 and the impact of currency devaluation, UK education has become less accessible, driving more students to pursue transnational education within Egypt. As a result, Egypt is leading the MENA region with over 27,000 TNE enrolments in both undergraduate (88%) and postgraduate degrees in 2022-2023. With close to 19,000 enrolments in 2017-2018, this upward trend over the past five years highlights a growing and significant financial contribution to the country’s higher education sector.
TNE in the UAE
As a major global trading hub with a diversified economy and strategic investments boosting private-sector Emirati employment, the UAE has become a key center for TNE, hosting nine UK International Branch Campuses (IBCs). Over the past five years, TNE enrolments in the UAE have grown significantly, particularly in social sciences and humanities, with an equal balance of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees offered. In 2022-2023, the UAE led the MENA region in postgraduate TNE enrolments, with more than 10,000 students pursuing advanced degrees, highlighting strong potential for expanding partnerships and research collaborations.
TNE in Qatar
While Qatar’s key strength is its high per capita income ($87,480), among its challenges is its relatively small population. However, UK TNE in Qatar is steadily increasing, with an impressive 73% increase in five years between 2018 and 2023, including a 100% increase in undergraduate students. In 2022-2023, there was also a high concentration of postgraduate enrolments at 54%, reflecting further capacity for future research and advanced education.
Continuing support towards TNE
The question is: How can we, as educators, policymakers, and leaders, continue to grow and sustain this momentum? The answers lie in collaboration, working together to ensure that TNE evolves to meet the needs of students, institutions, and communities in an ever-changing world.
If we get this right, the possibilities are endless: more inclusive education systems, stronger research outputs, and a generation of leaders equipped to tackle the global challenges of tomorrow.
Let’s keep the conversation going.