Introduction

This chapter concentrates on the international context, illustrating, wherever relevant, the actual or potential impact of developments on the UK higher education sector as a whole or on particular types of institution. It draws on a variety of international research. Within this institutional role, many universities carry out a range of activities that are specifically international. While the international role and the international activities of universities are not new, a more recent concept is the internationalization of universities. The historical roots of internationalization lie largely in political, social and cultural domains. The territory of borderless education illustrates the interplay between globalization and international policy themes. Information and communications technology (ICT) developments including the growth of e-learning are also giving rise to the role of educational broker. Academics need to keep up to date with developments and constantly to review their own practice in the light of the dynamic international scene.