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What We Do


The UK Higher Education International Unit works to support the development and sustainability of the UK higher education sector's influence and competitiveness in a global environment and to represent the sector's distinctive strengths within Europe and internationally. We do this through four key areas:

Provide market intelligence to identify opportunities:

Bulid capacity of the UK HE sector to capture international opportunities

  • events programme - conference, seminars and workshops
  • communities of practice - expert advice on key countries and policies 
  • support transnational education through HEGlobal Integrated Advisory Service

Represent the UK HE sector internationally

  • promote the sector to the international media
  • organising delegations both incoming and outgoing
  • presenting on UK sector to international HEIs 

Shape international and European policy

  • representing UK sector in country to country agreements
  • EU education and research policy
  • member of International Education Advisory Forum
  • representing sector response to Bologna Process policy

In representing the sector as a whole, the IU works closely with higher education institutions and organisations, including the British Council, UK Department for Business, Innovation  and Skills, Department for Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland), UKTI, Universities Scotland, the Scottish Government, Higher Education Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Universities UK registered Charity No. 1001127
A Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales Company No. 2517018
Registered Office: Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9HQ