18 April 2024

Universities Wales has received funding for a new project that will support a future approach to international tertiary education in Wales.

The project will examine the key factors supporting the future success of Welsh institutions’ international activity – across both further and higher institutions – and will bring together a network of experts from Wales, the wider UK and beyond to produce a series of recommendations.

The project will be funded by HEFCW, and later the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER) when it becomes fully operational later this year. CTER has as one of its strategic duties the promotion of a global outlook.

Gwen Williams, Assistant Director International for Universities Wales said:

“The promotion of a global outlook has never been more important. With international student recruitment set in an extremely challenging and competitive external context, Wales and its institutions need to become better equipped to compete globally. The consequences of not doing so are immense – directly impacting on the financial sustainability of the sector.

“Furthermore, Wales’ institutions have a significant network of international partners in research and innovation, learning and teaching and mobility. The ability to develop and grow international partnerships strategically will be central to their ability to thrive in an increasingly competitive global market. 

“For Wales to become truly competitive and to retain and grow its reputation internationally, it will be essential for CTER to take on this strategic duty and to consider how best to ensure that Wales’ institutions can deliver globally”.