Safeguarding International Students
The internationalisation of UK higher education has led to a significant rise in the number of international students and overseas programs. In the academic year 2022/23, there were 758,855 overseas students studying at UK universities, comprising 26% of the total student population. While this global engagement offers numerous benefits, it also introduces complex safeguarding challenges that universities must address to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their diverse communities.
International Safeguarding Resources
Safeguarding HE provides links to external websites that offer support and resources for individuals who may be at risk. While we aim to share reliable and helpful information, we do not control the content of these third-party websites. Please use your discretion when accessing external links, and seek professional advice or emergency assistance if needed.
As universities in the UK extend their global reach through international campuses, partnerships, and online learning, the benefits are undeniable—but so are the complexities. Among the most pressing is the question of safeguarding: how can institutions protect students who are no longer within the legal or geographic bounds of the UK? With student support staff often left navigating unfamiliar systems and limited referral options, international safeguarding is emerging as one of the sector’s most urgent and under-addressed challenges.