Initial Stocktake

Executive summary

1. The Government's Export Education Strategy[1] foreshadowed further work by the Ministry of Education on policy issues surrounding the growth of offshore education programmes offered by New Zealand providers. An initial stocktake of offshore activity by New Zealand's public tertiary education providers has been completed.

2. Responses to the stocktake were received from all public tertiary education providers - a total of 36. An analysis of results shows that:

• 17 of the 36 providers offered offshore programmes alone or in conjunction with offshore partners in 2001.
• A total of 63 programmes were delivered offshore in 2001 - an increase from six in 1997.
• Level of involvement varied greatly - just three institutions accounted for 35 programmes. Many providers offered just one programme offshore.
• The total number of students enrolled in offshore programmes in 2001 can be estimated at 2,200 - an increase from 380 in 1997.
• New Zealand's offshore programmes in 2001 were concentrated in South-East Asia, China/Hong Kong and the Pacific. Malaysia accounted for the largest number - 15 programmes. This parallels existing and historical international education relationships with New Zealand.
• Although data on year of first intake were incomplete, most offshore programmes commenced recently (ie. 2000 or 2001). One programme has been offered offshore since 1986.
• Subject matter also varied - Business and Administration, Commerce, Management and Science courses featured often, but vocational/ professional programmes in the fields of Nursing or Medicine, Teaching and the Trades were also delivered offshore.