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

Ambassadors including scholarship alumni 
Personal stories from certain Chevening and Commonwealth scholarship alumni were 
prominent and amongst the most memorable. There was strong evidence that the aims of 
these schemes are being fulfilled by many of their alumni, and that the scholarships are 
appreciated and highly regarded. However, the ‘emotional bond’ with the UK articulated by 
alumni was not unique to those who had benefited from UK-funded scholarships. Similar 
emotional connections with the UK were also held by other alumni, at a wide range of 
institutions, as well as personal commitments to societal or capacity development at home.
The combination of factors underlying positive experiences of HE study in the UK 
engendered strong feelings of trust in the UK, its institutions and products. In conjunction 
with the influencing power of soft diplomacy, this creates support for the UK and its 
products, culture and language, resulting in brand loyalty for UK goods, travel to the UK 
and Europe as preferred tourist and holiday destinations, the promulgation of UK 
pedagogic style on return home, recommendations to family, friends and employees over 
whom alumni have influence to study or train in the UK, and in the choice of UK partners 
when national businesses and networks expand into international partnerships. 
Sustaining positivity 
The strikingly positive perceptions held raise interesting questions about what more might 
be done to build on these individual experiences and the warmth of feeling for the UK that 
international alumni exhibit. Over 2 million international alumni have graduated from UK 
universities in the last 10 years, and if trends continue there could be a further 3 million 
over the next decade. The vast majority return to their home countries or move elsewhere. 
While many UK universities have alumni associations operating internationally, alongside 
those of the main UK-funded scholarship schemes, most of the contact between alumni 
occurs informally.