De Montfort University (DMU) Leicester has the largest number of transnational education (TNE) students in the East Midlands and is in the top 10 nationally, according to the latest figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
TNE enables students from around the world to study for a British degree without physically having to move to the UK. These courses are delivered through the university’s global partner institutions, which span as far as Sri Lanka, Vietnam and China, using DMU’s curriculum.
The Global Partnership Unit team. From left to right: Ben Grocott, Paul Overton, Kerry Harrison, Neil Hart, Anna Rog, Aamena Meidell, Inderjit Mann and Duncan Hepworth.
The data from HESA shows that in the 2024/25 academic year, 18,135 students were studying for a DMU qualification in while living overseas. The figure makes DMU the eighth largest provider for TNE students in the country.
In the last five academic years, the university has climbed 56 places, and in that time has opened campuses in Dubai, Kazakhstan and Cambodia.
Each year, DMU also runs a summer school on its Leicester campus, inviting students around the world from different TNE partner institutions to Leicester to take part in a programme of workshops, sessions and field trips.
Dr Neil Hart, Associate Director of Transnational Education at DMU, said: “In the last five years, the Global Partnership Unit (GPU) has played an integral role in delivering significant progress, including the launch of multiple campuses and partnerships.
“ The UK Government’s International Education Strategy highlights the strategic importance of transnational education (TNE) to the UK economy and its role in driving the growth of UK higher education exports. At the student level, TNE broadens access to UK higher education for those who may not have the financial means to study in the UK.
“I would like to thank my colleagues in the GPU for their continued commitment and hard work, which have contributed enormously to this success."
Of the 18,135 students that are studying for a DMU degree overseas, 15,750 are studying for an undergraduate degree – the sixth highest in the UK – with the remaining 2,385 students on postgraduate research and postgraduate taught qualifications.
It takes DMU’s total student population, studying both in Leicester and overseas, to more than 41,000.
Faith Ison, 23, and 22-year-old Carah Marcelle were among the TNE students to study for a DMU undergraduate degree, graduating in January 2026.
The pair studied for their Business Management and Accounting and Business Management degrees at Southville International School Affiliated with Foreign Universities (SISFU) in Las Piñas, located on the outskirts of the Philippine capital of Manila.
Faith and Carah both received a fully-accredited British degree, courtesy of a decade-long partnership between DMU and SISFU.
The opportunity to study for an international degree was one of the key reasons why both students decided to study at SISFU.
Faith said: “By looking at what doors might open for an international degree, not only am I taking a course that applies across a lot of fields of work, an international degree will help my chances in the job market.”
DMU has a campus or global partner institution in 10 countries around the world, excluding the UK.
Posted on Friday 27 February 2026