The UK government has dropped its target of recruiting 600,000 international students annually and replaced it with a strategy to grow global 'education exports' to £40 billion a year by 2030. Ministers will encourage universities to open overseas teaching hubs to reach students 'on their own doorsteps' rather than prioritizing onshore recruitment. University leaders say the pivot will require new business models, regulatory frameworks for offshore campuses and changes to recruitment and quality‑assurance practices. International student fees remain a major revenue source for many institutions, and the policy signals a significant recalibration of the UK’s international education strategy. Experts warn that building successful overseas hubs demands investment and governance safeguards to protect academic standards and reputational risk.