EduNewsAsia, London — The UK government has unveiled its latest International Education Strategy, setting an ambitious goal to make education a key driver of national economic growth. Through this strategy, the value of the UK’s education exports is targeted to reach £40 billion per year by 2030. Based on the current mid-market exchange rate, with £1 equivalent to around Rp 22,730, £40 billion is equal to approximately Rp 909.2 trillion.
This target represents a significant increase from around £32 billion in 2025. The policy underscores education’s position as one of the UK’s most valuable export sectors, surpassing both the automotive and food and beverage industries.
The strategy encourages UK schools, colleges, and universities to expand their presence overseas, including through the establishment of international campuses, transnational education programmes, global partnerships, and the development of digital learning. The government has pledged to cut red tape to give education providers greater flexibility to enter emerging markets, in line with rising global demand for high-quality education.
Unlike the previous strategy released in 2019, the new approach no longer sets targets for the number of international students studying in the UK. While international students continue to be welcomed, the policy focus has shifted towards strengthening education exports overseas. This move is expected to help universities diversify their income streams while broadening access to UK qualifications around the world.
UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized that education is one of the country’s most important assets. International expansion, she said, will strengthen global partnerships, enable millions of learners to access a world-class UK education in their own countries, and continue to deliver positive economic benefits at home. The government views the strategy as aligned with its national renewal agenda and efforts to enhance the UK’s global competitiveness.
Beyond economic gains, the strategy also aims to reinforce the UK’s soft power internationally. More than 50 current world leaders are alumni of UK universities, highlighting the long-term impact of education on international relations. The role of the UK’s diplomatic network, including ambassadors and the British Council, will be strengthened to open up new opportunities for cooperation and education markets.
At present, around 620,000 students are enrolled in UK university programmes overseas, spread across nearly 200 countries and territories. At the same time, the government has stressed tighter compliance standards for education providers to safeguard the integrity of the education and immigration systems. Through this new strategy, the UK hopes to expand its global educational reach while maintaining the reputation of its universities as benchmarks of world-class education.
