UK institutions need to compete more strongly than ever for international students: they also need to produce graduates with the skills and confidence to enter the global job market. These require a wider, more visionary approach to internationalisation.

Compete on the world stage - develop a future-proof internationalisation strategy

Why is this important?

UK institutions need to compete more strongly than ever for international students: they also need to produce graduates with the skills and confidence to enter the global job market. These require a wider, more visionary approach to internationalisation.

In a nutshell

The benefits of a robust, agile and comprehensive internationalisation strategy go beyond inward recruitment. The student experience is enriched and opportunities open up for new partnerships, networks and collaborations in teaching and research.

Our thinking

Our resources can help your institution use digital technologies to develop and implement your internationalisation strategy. Easier access to online services and resources, virtual research and learning environments, and even social media are all playing an increasingly significant role in greater mobility and education across borders.

  • JISC’s guide to internationalisation includes links to planning tools that will help you develop your strategy, taking into account political, economic and other factors that will determine the future global landscape.   
  • There’s more to mobility than going somewhere else to study. Web, email and social media can facilitate ‘virtual’ mobility by providing students with remote access to staff, resources and other learners. We’ve published an introduction to mobility, including ‘virtual’ mobility (or place-independent learning). See also how each of Cardiff, Northumbria and Bristol universities uses Twitter and Facebook to support international students.
  • e-portfolios, digital, transportable collections of a student’s lifelong learning, can also help students apply to study abroad by providing a convenient way of demonstrating their previous experience.
  • The Bologna Process simplifies comparisons between different national higher education qualifications – initially in Europe but increasingly further afield. We provide an overview of the Bologna Process: the creation of a European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
  • International research collaboration is important to the UK. Virtual Research Environments (VREs) enable distributed research groups or teams to collaborate online. Similarly, online learning has clear global potential, particularly if considered reciprocally.   
  • Remote learners and international collaborators need safe, secure access to your institution’s services and resources. Go to our interactive brochure to find out how federated access management and single sign-on can help.
  • Digital technologies are also helping institutions work with global businesses. Our infoKit, online collaborative tools for business and community engagement, can help you get started. Projects at Northumbria University and the University of the Arts showcase the possibilities for international teaching and learning.
See also Improve all aspects of your business – get your identity management systems in shape and Increase your research competitiveness: collaborate.

What does the future hold?

JISC understands the challenges to institutions of competing in the 21st century higher education sector and will continue to provide institutions with insight, resources and tools that will help them to gain and maintain their advantage.

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Ask our experts

Janette Hillicks is JISC's expert on internationalisation strategy

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