Cross-border relationships

Few British universities operate in other countries of the EU. But they could be missing a trick, writes Glynne Stanfield.

British higher education is seen as a premium product in the international market. Alas it is expensive to provide and a tightening of immigration controls makes expansion risky. Yet elsewhere in the EU, operating costs are lower and regulation is less stringent. It might thus be time for British universities to look afresh at Europe.

Surprisingly few restrictions exist on operating a campus or venture elsewhere in the EU. Education remains the responsibility of each member country and, although most have strict regulations governing higher education that leads to their own state-approved qualifications, restrictions on organisations that offer foreign awards are normally slight.