Opinion: Why international learning experiences matter more now than ever before

As Global Education Week acknowledges the importance of global solidarity and shared responsibility in learning, Professor Richard Wells, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) at Coventry University Group, explores the far-reaching impacts of international learning on students, universities and the wider world.

Preparing students for a successful career in a connected world

For students today, preparing for a successful career requires more than earning a degree. It’s about exposure to different cultures, technologies and ways of working that will equip them to chart a course through a world that is becoming progressively more connected, complex and unpredictable.

At Coventry University Group, we’ve long recognised the immense value of international learning experiences. They provide students with far more than academic knowledge, cultivating adaptability, cultural insight and problem-solving acumen that are essential for excelling in multinational teams, responding to technological disruption and confronting urgent global issues.

Global learning experiences are also highly appealing to students, whose digitally native mindsets make them naturally curious and attuned to learning that is immediate, interactive and experiential. Immersing themselves in new environments exposes them to unfamiliar perspectives and builds their confidence to think critically and contribute effectively across cultures and communities.

Redefining how students learn

The growing demand for diverse learning experiences shows that a one-size-fits-all approach to learning no longer works. Students want the flexibility and freedom to study wherever and however it suits them - and with the rise of new technologies, easier travel and a wider range of study options, they can tailor their learning in ways that were never possible before.

We’ve reimagined the university experience to meet these preferences and expectations. Our overseas campuses allow international students to pursue UK-standard degrees with the same curriculum, teaching standards and global recognition as studying on campus in the UK. We’re also widening access to UK education by supporting students financially, as demonstrated by our campus in Kazakhstan, which has grown rapidly after offering 200 scholarships in Business and Computer Science.

Our UK and international students can also transfer between our global campuses to study abroad, combining local learning with international opportunities. For example, through our partnership with the National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) in Sri Lanka, learners on NIBM diploma courses or selected Coventry University programmes can complete their studies locally or transfer to our campuses in Coventry or London to finish their degree.

Through each of these opportunities, students develop valuable skills and build professional networks, enhancing their international competitiveness while enjoying the flexibility to integrate new and novel experiences into their learning journeys. 

Cultivating cultural insight and global perspective

We are making every effort to reach and educate international students, particularly in light of policy changes that have made studying in the UK more challenging, because they are a vital part of Coventry University Group’s lifeblood. The benefits are endless: they enrich our communities with new perspectives, sustain the multicultural character of our campuses, contribute millions to our local economy and help maintain the UK’s influence globally at a time when our economic power is waning.

Just as we recognise the impact international students have on our communities, we are equally committed to giving UK students the chance to gain global experiences, recognising that learning goes both ways. Through the Turing Scheme, our UK students are given the opportunity to live and study abroad, exposing them to different cultures, education systems and helping them understand how their field operates internationally.

When our students return home, they apply what they’ve learned – approaching challenges in ways that may be less familiar in their regions, sharing knowledge with those around them and creating a ripple effect as that knowledge spreads.

Generating institutional and economic growth

But the impacts don’t end with students, as international learning benefits universities just as much. Partnering with institutions around the world raises educational standards locally and globally, creating even more opportunities. These collaborations stimulate local economies by developing skills and expertise in key sectors. In India, for example, our collaboration with Cochin University of Science and Technology and the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati is helping to accelerate hydrogen fuel technologies through digitally delivered learning and virtual labs, building the technical and industry-ready skills needed to support the transition to clean energy.

We are also supporting countries where education systems are under strain, such as Ukraine, where joint degrees and online summer schools with Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture are helping students continue to learn, sustaining academic activity despite the ongoing conflict.

By investing in universities worldwide and giving students the flexibility to study in ways that suit them, we’re building a stronger global education system that spreads knowledge and prepares the next generation of innovators to take on our most urgent collective challenges.