What is Transnational Education (TNE)?
What is TNE?
UNESCO and the Council of Europe define Transnational Education (TNE) as:
“All types of higher education study programmes, or sets of courses of study, or educational services (including those of distance education) in which the learners are located in a country different from the one where the awarding institution is based”
Council of Europe, Code of Good Practice in the Provision of Transnational Education, January 2002
Delivered through partnerships, branch campuses, distance and blended learning, or joint and dual awards, TNE enables students to access internationally recognised education without relocating, while supporting institutions in extending their international reach and impact.
Defining the scope of TNE
As part of their move towards internationalisation, universities often look beyond their own borders to offer degrees to their student cohort in collaboration with universities abroad. So, for example, a student studying in Japan can study for a UK degree while remaining in their home country. This can take many forms of delivery, including:
- International Branch Campuses: A physical presence of the awarding institution in a host country.
- Partnerships: Local providers delivering the curriculum of an international university.
- Joint, Dual, or Twin Degrees: Collaborative programmes where two or more institutions award the qualification(s).
- Distance and Blended Learning: Online or hybrid delivery supported by local tutors.
A growing global phenomenon
TNE is growing rapidly all around the world. The number of students enrolled in TNE programmes now exceeds those traveling abroad for international study in many jurisdictions, and this trend looks set to continue. In China alone, the number of TNE students is set to exceed 8 million by 2035 (according to ICEF Monitor). As universities seek to increase their global footprint and impact, TNE has become an essential internationalisation strategy.
There has been an impressive increase in the amount of research conducted over the last few years into the quality, student experience, and pedagogical challenges of TNE. At Oxford EMI, we help lecturers navigate this evolving landscape.
Advantages and challenges
Initially, TNE was seen primarily as a business model for student recruitment. However, it has expanded to become a vital tool for capacity building and global knowledge exchange.
The advantages
If a university can offer TNE programmes, it can reach a wider diversity of students who may not have the means to travel. It allows for the sharing of best practices, enhances the institution’s global reputation, and fosters long-term international research and teaching partnerships. For the student, it provides an internationally recognised qualification and improved employability prospects in a globalised job market.
The challenges
The following challenges are significant and require careful management:
- Ensuring that the quality of teaching and learning is equivalent across different locations.
- Supporting local and visiting (known as ‘flying’) faculty members in adapting to different pedagogical contexts.
- Putting support systems in place for students who are navigating an international curriculum in a local context.
- Balancing the “global” nature of the degree with the “local” needs of the students.
The role of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
The success of any TNE programme depends on the people designing and delivering it. Academics and managers involved in TNE need specific skills to ensure “equivalence” of the student experience while respecting local cultural contexts.
At Oxford EMI, we provide consultancy and training for institutions involved in TNE. We help lecturers and academic managers develop the pedagogical skills and quality assurance frameworks necessary to successfully deliver high-quality TNE across borders.