International Branch Campuses

A recent report published by the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education states that colleges and universities worldwide have added 49 foreign campus branches, bringing the total to at least 162 overseas branches.

Since 2007, South Koreans can obtain a degree in shipping and transport from the Dutch Shipping and Transport College. This Rotterdam based college operates a foreign campus in the city of Gwangyan. Stenden College has been active overseas for many years now and has overseas branches in Qatar, Thailand and South Africa. In Nigeria one can study at the Business School Netherlands.

The Netherlands plays only a small role in the world of international branch campuses. American universities lead the way with almost 80 overseas campuses such as Webster University located in Leiden. With 14 overseas branches, Australia takes second place, followed by the United Kingdom (13), and France and India both with 11 foreign locations.

The United Arab Emirates play an important role in the world of international branches. The country is host to a quarter of the foreign campuses. The report also notes the fierce competition between educational institutions. Host countries are becoming increasingly more critical as to which universities they’ll allow to set up shop. Singapore for example, hosts twelve international branches and is only interested in offering space to well-known universities.

Countries such as Bahrain, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea are working on “international higher education hubs” and are therefore of interest to universities with plans to locate a branch overseas. The findings by the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education also indicate that colleges and universities around the world have good alternatives to opening up overseas branches. Partnering with likewise institutions offers an opportunity to have a presence overseas, without running the risks in these times of economic uncertainty.