Soft Power In The UK: An Analysis Of The UK’s Higher Education System As An Instrument Of Soft Power

Since World War II, the United Kingdom has put an emphasis on the importanceof higher education. While realizing the need to expand the system, it has ensuredexcellence through its teachings and facilities for all students and staff. The UnitedKingdom has a reputation for possessing one of the best higher education systems inthe world, attracting students from around the globe whom desire the opportunity tostudy and reside in the United Kingdom as a student; thus the higher education systemhas been a flagship for the United Kingdom’s soft power influence and its long termeconomic impact. However, over the years many changes were made in lieu of thesystem to ensure that it is great; while the changes may have had positive outcomes;there have also been changes that have had a staggering negative impact on thesystem. These negative impacts have resulted from political objectives such asimposing stricter visa policies and eradicating post-study work opportunities thatultimately result in the universities becoming less attractive. As the world is becomingmore globalized, competition is emerging from the east, such as China in the respectof higher education systems. As of late, The United Kingdom has been dipping in theworld rankings of the top40universities to attend. With a mere three universities inthe top ten rankings, the United Kingdom is now being severely overshadowed by theUnited States which can have a sustainable negative effect in the long term. As Nyestated, a country’s soft power influence is measured by its culture, values and politicalaims. As the world is now more open to softer actions, it is important for the UnitedKingdom to maintain their standing in long term influence in diplomacy matters andespecially, cultural institutions such as universities. These institutions are vital inpromoting soft power and instilling the values and norms of the United Kingdomwithin international students and staff. The question now on the minds of many is howdoes the United Kingdom now retain its trust and influence that it once had in the past?As the United Kingdom is known for its history and culture, it is imperative that thelearning institutions are enticing to other states around the world. The enrollment ofinternational students is very important to not only the universities reputation, but to acountry’s overall economy and national competitiveness. With the enrollment ofinternational students, universities welcome diversification on their campus as well aspaid fees which are sometimes doubled that of a local rate. It allows the provision ofsome courses to be made available and promotes internationalization for the institution. Internationalization is something that can enhance the United Kingdom’svalues from that of the rest of the world, by obtaining a higher number of studentmobility, ultimately students can act as ambassadors for the United Kingdom,influencing others that the country is the best place to study and possibly start theirprofessional careers. The exertion of soft power through higher education is aninnovative way that the United Kingdom can promote its influence throughout theworld by utilizing international students as informal ambassadors. Also, due to theintense popularity of the internet and multiple digital platforms to transmitinformation in real time, the positive experiences shared by students would be able tohelp shape and form opinions of many persons around the world. Thus, it is vitallyimportant for the government of the United Kingdom to ensure that it conducts moreresearch into the area of higher education in the realm of soft power. By conductingmore research, potential strategies can be put into place by the government andinstitutions to combat the negating image that is becoming of the United Kingdom.