From Crisis to Classroom: how Transnational Education can close the gap in higher education access for refugees.
Written by Ben Webster, Founder of Mosaik Education
Globally, just 7% of refugees are enrolled in higher education, compared to a global average of 42%. Financial, legal, and logistical challenges prevent many refugees from accessing the education they need to rebuild their lives. UK universities, which host 500,000 international students in overseas locations through Transnational Education (TNE), have a unique opportunity to address these challenges and open new doors for displaced students.
Mismatched Needs and Resources
Refugees face multiple barriers to university, such as lack of documentation, prerequisite skills, information gaps, and limited local institutional capacity. However, the fundamental barrier is a lack of financial resources. Refugees have limited means, and historically, university access has been deprioritised by humanitarian and emergency funders.
In 2019, the UN Refugee Agency set a target to increase refugee access to higher education to 15% by 2030. This initiative has been supported by philanthropic, educational, and humanitarian actors through the Global Refugee Forum. However, higher education is expensive, and meeting this target could require billions of dollars in philanthropic funding. While many actors are committed to reducing inequalities in refugee education, their resources do not match the vast need.
UK TNE: Opportunities for Refugee Students and Universities
UK universities are well-positioned to make a difference through existing and new TNE programmes. The UK higher education sector could become a global leader by making overseas joint degrees, franchise partnerships, and online programmes more inclusive of and accessible to refugee students in major hosting countries.
A prime example is the UK-Ukraine Dual Degree Programme, managed by Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) and Mosaik Education, which has been shortlisted for a PIEoneer Award. 10 partnerships between UK and Ukrainian universities have created affordable, accessible pathways for students in a conflict zone. This model not only makes higher education more accessible for refugee communities, but it also reduces costs by eliminating the need to relocate students to the UK. The Ukraine model reduced per-student tuition costs by 63% compared to equivalent scholarships hosted on UK campuses.
This model also presents significant opportunities for UK universities. Through the UK-Ukraine Dual Degree Programme, universities have enhanced their international and domestic reputations, fulfilled their civic missions, forged new research connections, created development opportunities for academics, identified new international student markets, and generated new fundraising opportunities for future activities.
Closing the gap in higher education access for refugees is not just an altruistic endeavour; it’s an opportunity for universities to build partnerships that are impactful and sustainable.
Where Next?
UK universities could play a significant role in closing the education gap for refugees. Aligning their strategic ambitions and civic missions can inject new purpose into UK TNE.
Mosaik and CCG are collaborating to leverage our expertise in refugee education and TNE to replicate the successful Ukraine model in new contexts. If your university is interested in exploring how partnerships can help close the access gap for refugees, get in touch with us here.
Mosaik and CCG will also be hosting an event at the end of November 2024 to showcase how UK universities have engaged with global crises, share best practices, and explore new and replicable models. Sign up here to register your interest.
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About Mosaik Education: Mosaik’s mission is to close the gap in university access for refugees. Since 2019, our online learning programmes, mentorship, and partnerships with universities have helped over 5,500 displaced and conflict-affected students navigate the barriers to higher education across Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Uganda, Egypt, and Ukraine.
About CCG:Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has been working with universities on the development of their international strategy and activity for over 25 years. Founded in 1999, CCG quickly established its position in the United Kingdom as one of the leading consultancies that supports UK universities looking to develop transnational education. The company founded the highly successful Ukraine Twinning programme, aimed at supporting universities in Ukraine through the Russian invasion.