Transnational education (TNE), the delivery of educational programmes outside the country of the awarding body, is becoming more common. In the 2023-24 academic year, more than 611,000 undergraduate and postgraduate taught students were enrolled in UK TNE programmes, representing 18 per cent of the total undergraduate and postgraduate population.
While TNE is expanding, its success hinges on something often overlooked: the digital experience. From recruitment to graduation, technology underpins every interaction. Yet delivering consistent, high-quality digital provision across different countries presents unique challenges. Drawing on recent Jisc research with 21 UK universities, here are five practical ways to strengthen an institution’s digital delivery for TNE.
Make TNE a core part of institutional strategy
TNE should not be treated as an add-on or a convenient income stream; it needs to be embedded in institutional planning. At some universities, TNE cohorts already outnumber on-campus students, affecting everything from IT procurement to assessment design.
To ensure the digital needs of TNE students are met, universities should involve TNE leaders in strategic planning and budget allocation. Mapping the whole digital journey for TNE students, from graduation to application, helps identify where their needs differ from in-country learners. Including TNE-specific metrics such as digital engagement rates and access to learning resources abroad in performance dashboards ensures that senior decision-makers can track and address challenges promptly.
Build partnerships with purpose
Most TNE growth is driven by collaborative models that rely on strong, trusted relationships. Without a shared understanding of legal, technical and cultural contexts, even well-designed digital systems can falter.
Agreeing early on a shared digital infrastructure plan is critical. This should cover internet provision, hardware standards and access to licensed software. Joint training programmes for staff in both countries help align understanding of virtual learning environments and digital assessment tools. Partnership agreements should also set out clear responsibilities for maintaining access during outages, platform changes or regulatory shifts.
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Actively gather and act on feedback
Listening to students and staff is the most reliable way to identify strengths and weaknesses in digital delivery. Yet Jisc’s research found that feedback mechanisms are often inconsistent and rarely focus on the digital experience for students.
Running targeted digital experience surveys for students and teaching staff twice a year can provide actionable insights. Focus groups on host countries can capture the nuanced cultural and infrastructure issues that surveys might miss. Sharing results openly with partners and agreeing on clear timelines for change helps build trust and drive improvement.
Internationalise curriculum and pedagogy
With nearly 40 per cent of all undergraduate and postgraduate students in UK higher education either international or studying via TNE, diversity should be reflected in course content, teaching methods and digital platforms.
Auditing modules to ensure cultural relevance and accessibility across delivery contexts can improve student engagement. Staff should be supported to adapt UK teaching styles to local contexts, particularly around participation, group work and the use of AI tools. In locations with restricted or unreliable internet access, providing offline or low-bandwidth versions of key resources ensures learning continuity.
Prioritise digital equity over equality
Providing the same tools to all students might seem fair but it can disadvantage those in challenging contexts. Digital equity means ensuring each learner has what they need to succeed.
This can involve offering device loan schemes or subsidies, creating alternative access routes when licensing or censorship blocks resources and including tailored digital skills training during induction. These measures not only support TNE learners but improve provision for other students with limited access or lower digital confidence.
Why action matters now
The challenges facing TNE are not abstract; they shape daily learning experiences. Power cuts in one country can delay assignment submissions, while internet censorship in another can block access to lecture recordings. Students invest time, trust and significant fees in their education, and institutions that act proactively can deliver richer, more equitable learning.
By planning strategically, investing in purposeful partnerships, listening actively, designing globally and delivering equitably, universities can strengthen their global provision and ensure that all students have the tools they need to succeed.
The digital terrain of TNE is complex but with deliberate action, UK universities can ensure that location is no barrier to high-quality, globally relevant education.
Patrice Seuwou is associate professor (learning and teaching) and director of the Centre for the Advancement of Racial Equality at the University of Northampton.
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