How to choose the right TNE programme

Transnational education (TNE) is education delivered in a country other than the country in which the awarding institution is based. So for example you can get a qualification from the University of Huddersfield while residing in a different country. Particularly popular with international students.

Advantages of undertaking a TNE programme

TNE offers you the opportunity to experience the teaching approach of another country whilst remaining in your home country. It can result in a higher quality educational experience for a lower cost than studying overseas.

It can you make you stand out from your peers by giving you an international qualification from an overseas institution that may improve your employment prospects locally and internationally. It also gives you the chance to study in another language thus improving your proficiency in that language.

Finally, you might choose to study a TNE programme to familiarise yourself with an overseas country’s culture and educational system as a precursor to further study in that overseas country.

Factors to consider when choosing a TNE Programme

There are many factors to consider when choosing a TNE programme. Some of these factors are the same as choosing a local university degree programme, e.g. tuition fees, location, living costs, quality of institution, quality of facilities. However, there are other factors to consider which are specific to choosing a TNE programme. 

Different forms of TNE

TNE can take many different forms:

1. An overseas university may have branch campus in your home country.
2. There may be a joint venture between an institution in your home country and an overseas university.
3. An institution in your home country may offer degrees that are approved by an overseas university, commonly referred to as a franchise.
4. Finally, you could do online distance learning.

The advantage of online distance learning is that the cost is normally lower and you have more flexibility in when you need to study. 

This means you can balance your studying alongside a job or caring responsibilities. However, you do need to be more self-motivated and more of an independent learner to do this as it won’t have the structure of an in-person course and you won’t be able to physically interact with class mates.

Often the courses will have been designed by the overseas university, although in form 3 it could be the case that the course has been designed by the local institution and approved by the overseas university.

Approach to teaching and assessment on TNE programme

In all the different forms of TNE, the programme will normally adopt a teaching approach based on the practice in the overseas university. This may be more attractive than the local approach to teaching.

The School of Computing and Engineering at University of Huddersfield has a Joint Venture with Fujian National University (FNU) in China. Three bachelor’s degrees in electronic engineering and computing are taught at FNU and the content of these courses mirror the same degree titles taught at the University of Huddersfield in the UK.

The University of Huddersfield courses have a practical emphasis in their teaching and assessments with a mixture of examinations and coursework. The courses teach the relevant theory but are focussed on the students being able to apply their knowledge to solve problems using relevant software and equipment. Students experience working on open-ended problems where there isn’t a single correct answer and indeed there could be many different good solutions. The courses also place an emphasis on problem solving and teamwork, which are important skills for future employment. This approach to teaching may differ significantly to the way teaching and assessment is conducted in a students home country.

Check what degrees will be awarded for a TNE programme

Students will always be awarded a degree by the overseas university. In some cases, they may also be awarded a degree by the home country institution, this is known a dual or joint degree. For example, the students on the FNU TNE programme are awarded two Bachelor’s degrees, one from FNU and one from the University of Huddersfield. If having both is important to you, you should check this.

Check the reputation of the overseas institution

As well as checking the academic reputation of the home institution you should also check the reputation of the overseas institution. Numerous league tables are available for you to assess this, including the well-known QS Rankings.

For UK universities, you should also consider the overseas university’s Teaching Excellence Framework ratings which will tell you about quality of teaching at the overseas institution. These ratings are produced by the Office for Students on behalf of the UK government. Each university has an overall rating and two underpinning ratings with each being awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze. For example, the University of Huddersfield has the Gold rating in all three ratings putting it amongst the top universities in the UK for student experience and student outcomes.

Check whether the TNE programme includes teaching by “Flying Faculty”

“Flying Faculty” is used to refer to lecturers travelling from the overseas institution to undertake teaching at your home country institution. Being taught by lecturers who are normally based at the overseas institution may provide you with a more authentic version of the teaching and assessment experience because these lecturers teach students in their home country. Arguably visits by these overseas lecturers will also enhance your cultural and language experience. If this is of interest, then check whether your TNE programme includes this and what proportion of the teaching and assessment is by “Flying Faculty”.

Roughly 50% of the teaching on the FNU TNE programme is undertaken by “Flying Faculty” from the University of Huddersfield.

Check whether the TNE programme offers the chance to do part of the course overseas

It may be possible to do part of your TNE programme at the overseas institution. For example, students on the FNU TNE programmes mentioned above can opt to come to the UK to do their second year and/or final year in the UK at the University of Huddersfield. This is possible because the course at FNU mirrors the courses at the University of Huddersfield and gives you flexibility in where you study each year of the degree.

Check progression opportunities from your TNE programme

After studying your TNE programme you may be interested in undertaking further studies overseas. In this case, you may like to check out what Master's degrees or research degrees the overseas institution can offer. The overseas institution may offer special scholarships to students who have undertaken one of their TNE programmes. If you think you may be interested in undertaking research after your TNE programme, you should check out the research that happens at the overseas institutions.

In the areas computing and engineering, the University of Huddersfield has large research groups in Precision Technology and Railway Research as well as research in Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security plus lots more.

Check the entry requirements for the TNE programme

In the same way as for a local programme, you will need to check that you meet the TNE programme’s entry requirements. TNE programme’s are often taught in the language of the overseas institution. If the course is being taught in another language, e.g. English, you will need to also meet any language requirements in addition to the academic requirements. Courses typically offer language support to students, but you need to consider your proficiency in the language when starting the course.

Finally good luck with choosing your TNE programme!