Interest in branch campuses declines in Europe

With the U.K. having dominated in its number of branch campuses, it appears now to be leading the exodus from branch campuses among European universities. A recent survey conducted by the European Association of International Education indicated that establishing branch campuses was the lowest ranked strategy for internationalization among its members. Citing the high cost and reputational risks of branch campuses, the trend appears to have shifted to joint and dual degrees as the preferred approach to increasing the internationalization of their institutions.

The survey also assessed the reasons institution leaders pursuing internationalization. Improving the quality of learning (56%) and more adequately preparing graduates for the global world (45%) in which they will live were the most often endorsed purposes.