The Evolution of Internationalisation Strategies in UK Universities

This study explores the development of internationalisation strategies in higher education institutions. A number of
previous studies have addressed ‘internationalisation’ in the HE sector in terms of its context, benefits and
implications. However, the subject has not been addressed from a strategic point of view. In particular, there is a
research gap in relation to the link between the internationalisation of HE and universities’ strategic management.
This research aims to fill in this gap in knowledge and to link the relatively new concept of the internationalisation
of HE to the strategic management literature.

A Grounded Theory methodology was employed using four English universities as case studies. Data was collected
via semi‐structured in‐depth interviews and document review, which were analysed using the constant comparative
method. This provides a basis for understanding the nature of the internationalisation strategies in HEIs.