MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The British Council has opened opportunities for the younger generation of Filipinos to pursue higher education and attain global credentials to better their personal and professional advancements. Filipinos can face obstacles and challenges through the British Council’s efforts for transnational education (TNE), including academic pressure, time commitment, and economic bias.
What is transnational education?
An alternative to the traditional studying abroad route, TNE is typically a partnership between a foreign university and a local institution in the student’s home country. This means you don’t need to spend your time entirely abroad to finish the program. For example, students can study in the Philippines and obtain two qualifications: one from the Philippines and the other from a UK university.
The British Council connects universities from the United Kingdom and the Philippines, allowing them to collaborate to develop TNE programs in specialized disciplines that are either unavailable or limited in the Philippines, such as MSc in Robotics Engineering (offered by De La Salle University and Liverpool Hope University) and MRes Tropical Biological Oceanography (offered by Silliman University and Newcastle University).
These niche areas allow Filipino students to specialize in disciplines that are not yet widely available, gaining a competitive edge in their chosen fields while providing them with a global perspective. Moreover, these partnerships provide local universities with more capacities and resources to build the knowledge pool centered on these niche disciplines over a longer term, allowing them to contribute to national sustainable development.
Why choose the UK: Real success stories from TNE graduates
Having a degree from the UK instantly opens doors wherever you are in the world. Known for its prestigious universities and high-quality education system, four of the top ten universities in the world are located in the UK (according to the QS World University Rankings 2024).
Studying in the UK isn’t just about receiving an exemplary education. It creates access to valuable work placements and internships, bridging the gap between theory and applied expertise. UK graduates are amongst the most employable in the world because they not only emerge with impressive credentials but also bring real-world experience that resonates with employers worldwide. Just take it from these Filipino TNE graduates who have found success after completing their UK education:
“The TNE program allowed me to learn more about various cultures,” said Brian James Chiu, an architect and professor at the University of Santo Tomas. “It helped foster a deeper appreciation for different points of view, which is particularly true in education and the academic environment.”
Brian was part of the first cohort of the dual Ph.D. in the architecture program, a joint effort of the University of Reading and the University of Santo Tomas. “Studying at the University of Reading provided a unique opportunity to gain international exposure, meet brilliant people, and build lasting relationships,” he said.
Sarina Arciga, a professor at Bicol University Tabaco Campus, agreed with Brian. Sarina’s program, MSc in Advanced Biological Sciences, specializing in Sustainable Food Systems, was a joint initiative of the University of Liverpool and Bicol University.
Apart from providing Sarina with a wider understanding of how science could be used to address sustainability issues, the program also broadened her horizons. “Getting this scholarship introduced me to experiences that are beyond the academic realm,” she said. “I consider myself blessed to be given a life-changing opportunity like this.”
Explore TNE opportunities through British Council Philippines
Borders don’t need to limit anyone’s potential — the graduates of the TNE program have already proven this. The British Council readily supports Philippine higher education institutions by increasing their accessibility and bridging the gap in local expertise.
With the British Council continuously working on developing and improving TNE, there are many opportunities to further academic expertise, gain international exposure, and attain global credentials for anyone who wants to broaden their perspectives.
