Prestige worldwide
Either through the legacy of its global empire, its thriving entertainment industry, or just its unique position in Europe, the UK continues to punch above its weight in exporting its culture globally. And, in recent years, British private schools have become the latest institutions to cash in on that soft power — establishing hundreds of satellite campuses around the world.
Indeed, data from the Private Education Policy Forum (via Bloomberg) reveals that 38 elite institutions have now established over 120 satellite campuses around the world, with China initially being the largest base, although India's burgeoning middle class has also proven to be fertile ground for British school exports.
For local residents, the appeal is a more cost-effective path to attending a UK-branded school. Boarding at renowned schools like Eton College, with a list of alumni that includes Princes William and Harry, as well as 20 prime ministers — an unbelievable 35% of all British prime ministers ever — doesn’t come cheap, with total costs typically in excess of $60k a year. By contrast, the average cost for a UK-branded boarding school in India hovers just above $10k per year.
Of course, these campuses aren't motivated solely by educational or altruistic reasons. Between 2011 and 2021, 40 prominent British private schools collectively generated a profit of £98 million ($119 million) from overseas satellite campuses.
