Bis research paper number 128 The wider benefits of international higher education in the uk

participate, as well as the allied home academic benefits of international HE; 

tangible personal purchasing power from the alumni’s allegiance to British brands, 
including tourism to the UK, and from those they influence; 

enhanced perceptions of the UK, its people and culture, especially increased trust in 
the UK which supports cultural and political ties but also future economic benefits. 
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The Wider Benefits of International Higher Education in the UK 
Individuality 
Few trends were identified based on nationality groups or other characteristics, and the 
absence of systematic variations was noteworthy (although the sample size was modest). 
For example, there was relatively little difference between the perceptions of impact 
amongst those who attended world-renowned research-intensive universities and those at 
HE institutions of other kinds. Although many of those who had studied in the UK for 
several years, for a first or research degree tended to have integrated more deeply 
through activity outside HE, many of those articulating the strongest benefits had studied 
for a 1-year Masters course. 
The individual circumstances of alumni were major factors in the extent and range of 
benefits they perceived, as well as the secondary impact and influence they had on others. 
This individuality contextualised both perceptions of their experiences as students and of 
the subsequent benefits derived. 
Promoting the UK as a host for international HE 
Reflecting on their experiences and study impact, the almost unequivocal positivity of the 
alumni underpinned their recommendation of the UK as an HE destination to others. Their 
positive views were based partly on perceptions that their own motivations had been 
reasonably well founded: a distinctive pedagogy in which challenge, independent thought 
and critical thinking were invited; a safe and welcoming environment; and subsequent 
career enhancement impact for most. Many expressed admiration for the tolerance they 
witnessed in UK society, including the cosmopolitan nature of their HE student body. 
Collectively these factors instilled in the alumni strong bonds to the UK. 
‘Come to the UK and meet the world’ could be a promotional strap line for UK HE, based 
on the intercultural sensitivity many alumni felt they had developed while in the UK, due to 
the global diversity of its international students. Some alumni felt transformed in learning to 
engage with others of different nationality or culture. While such benefits will not be unique 
to the UK in providing international HE, it may be that the impact is more acute than in 
competitor host countries due to the particular composition of UK student bodies.