Keystone Education Group responds to the UK International Education Strategy

Keystone Education Group welcomes the UK government’s renewed commitment to international education, as outlined in the International Education Strategy published in February, and supports its ambition to strengthen the UK’s global higher education partnerships.

The strategy’s focus on global collaboration and connections through higher education aligns closely with Keystone’s mission to empower students worldwide to make informed study choices. Its recognition of the UK’s enduring international appeal is reflected in feedback received from Keystone’s global student audiences and university partners.

The renewed focus on innovation and expansion in UK transnational education (TNE) is particularly timely. As international education continues to evolve, prospective student behaviour is shifting in response to cost, accessibility, and flexibility considerations. Keystone's own research already indicates that latent interest in study via TNE, particularly through branch campuses, is significantly higher than the current sector assumptions suggest.

At the same time, it will be important for the strategy to align with the realities of student expectations. International audiences continue to place high value on traditional, in-person study in the UK. Ensuring that institutions remain supported in delivering high-quality, on-campus international experiences will be essential to sustaining the UK’s competitive position.

Mark Bennett, VP of Research & Insight at Keystone Education Group, says:

“The best outcome of the UK’s strategy will be one that opens doors for students who otherwise wouldn’t have access to UK higher education, while also providing a supportive and rewarding experience for traditional international study in the UK.”

Keystone will continue to support all forms of opportunity offered by its UK university partners and work closely with organisations such as Universities UK International to ensure global student audiences understand, access, and value these.

About Keystone Education Group

More than 100 million students trust Keystone to help them pursue higher education every year. In turn, Keystone helps over 5,000 education institutions reach, recruit, and enroll prospective students in more than 190 countries. Keystone also operates a range of global student recruitment services including UniQuest, Beyond Abroad (made of up SONOR, Blueberry and Asia Exchange), Edunation, and Keystone Sports.

Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Keystone is backed by Viking Growth and Verdane, two leading Nordic venture firms. Keystone has more than 850+ employees worldwide, with offices across the Nordics, Germany, Spain, and the UK.