Bridging Horizons: Elevating UK Graduate Outcome through Transnational Higher Education Partnerships Under China’s Tnhe Governance—a Case Study of Collaborative Internship Programme

This study investigates how UK's international internship initiatives align with its broader global ambitions, focusing on foreign policy, international partnerships, and regional cooperation in education and industry between China and the UK. The study draws from an empirical project I have managed since 2019, where my role as the programme manager centers on improving UK graduate employability through international mobility in China.

The policies of both the UK and China have a significant impact on graduate outcomes under international student mobility. In the UK, graduate employment rates have declined, exacerbated by reduced support from European exchange programs (EUA Report, 2023). The UK Employment Guide (2023) advises graduates to seek global opportunities due to a sharp 30.2% drop in job vacancies in 2024, emphasizing that highly skilled individuals should engage in global markets. On the other hand, China has introduced policies to attract international talent, offering competitive employment and internship opportunities, while enhancing its talent management system through initiatives like "university-enterprise joint training" (Central Committee of the Communist Party & the State Council, 2022).

The UK has responded by increasing its engagement with China, acknowledging its growing global influence (British Council, 2020). However, China's Transnational Higher Education (TNHE) partnerships present complexities shaped by historical, social, and political factors (Mizzi & Rocco, 2013). This research explores how UK universities can adapt to China's governance model for sustainable TNHE partnerships, with international internship collaborations as a case study. A combination of policy analysis, ethnography, fieldwork, and semi-structured interviews will be employed to uncover insights and best practices for cooperation between China and the UK.