Policy

News and analysis on higher education policy, reform, and regulation worldwide.

Sorbonne University, France
France

France redefines international tuition: a strategic shift with global implications

· By H. Yang

France is raising tuition fees for non-EU students to €2,895 (bachelor’s) and €3,941 (master’s). Despite the increase, it remains cheaper than major study destinations like the US and UK. The change supports France’s “Choose France” strategy to attract talent in key fields like AI and engineering.

Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan introduces U10 – Uzbekistan’s World-Class Universities program and national ranking reform

· By H. Yang

Uzbekistan has introduced the “U10 – Uzbekistan’s World-Class Universities” program to support 10 high-potential institutions with significant research funding and industry-linked scientific clusters, alongside a new national ranking system led by the National Quality Assurance Agency for Education that will tie university performance to funding, strengthen global competitiveness, and improve alignment with labor market needs.

India Taj Mahal
India

India’s higher education internationalisation: A new era of opportunities for global institutions

· By H. Yang

India's higher education sector is embracing global collaboration, with top UK universities like Southampton, Liverpool, York, and Aberdeen, alongside Australian institutions like UNSW, Deakin, and Wollongong, setting up campuses. This aligns with NEP 2020, offering Indian students access to world-class education while strengthening international partnerships.

Twin Towers Malaysia
United Kingdom, Malaysia

UK unveils Malaysia handbook to streamline transnational education partnerships

· By H. Yang

The UK launches a new handbook on April 22, 2026, to help universities establish transnational education programs in Malaysia, offering step-by-step guidance on accreditation and regulation as both countries deepen collaboration and position Malaysia as a regional education hub.

Indonesia National Flag
Indonesia

Indonesia deepens US ties to power science-driven growth

· By Eleanor Shaw

Indonesia is strengthening higher education ties with the US following talks on 16 April, focusing on dual degrees, research collaboration and skills development in key sectors such as semiconductors and healthcare, as part of a broader push to boost global competitiveness and drive a technology-led economy.

Study in South Korea Post-study Visa
South Korea

South Korea launches 2030 immigration strategy with new visas for skilled workers and international graduates

· By H. Yang

South Korea has launched a 2030 immigration strategy introducing new visas for skilled workers and international graduates while expanding talent retention and regional settlement policies amid demographic decline.

Sydney Harbour and Sydney Opera House
Australia

Australia ties international student growth to housing and regional priorities

· By Eleanor Shaw

Australia announces its 2026 international student allocations on 14 October 2025, tying growth to housing, regional development and Southeast Asia engagement, as the government moves towards a more controlled and strategically managed international education system.

China Great Wall
China

China signals new phase in transnational education reform

· By Eleanor Shaw

China has unveiled a significant package of reforms to its transnational education (TNE) framework, aiming to streamline approvals, expand institutional flexibility, and deepen global partnerships. The changes suggest a shift from controlled expansion toward more strategic, quality-driven international collaboration.

Forbidden City
China

China’s careful opening: how regulation is reshaping transnational higher education

· By H. Yang

China’s transnational higher education system has evolved from cautious experimentation to a strategically integrated part of its higher education landscape. While the country is gradually opening its education market—allowing more autonomy, for-profit models and even pilot fully foreign-owned institutions—it continues to enforce a tightly controlled regulatory framework. This reflects a deliberate balance: leveraging global education to support national development, while safeguarding educational sovereignty, political oversight and social values.