Excellence in Education
The UK’s International Education Strategy (published January 2026) is an ambitious statement by the government to place the UK’s education system, from early years to schools, colleges and higher education, at the heart of the UK’s global engagement.
It identifies education as one of the UK’s most important global assets. The aim is to:
- grow education exports,
- champion the UK as a trusted global partner in research, science and technology and
- expand global recognition of UK academic and professional qualifications.
The strategy promotes quality education as a central pillar of UK diplomacy, economic policy, and international engagement.
The European Accessibility Act (EAA)
The UK is recognised worldwide for its world‑leading research and innovation and the EAA presents the opportunity to continue to drive excellence in the design and delivery of education content and systems requiring conformance with the Harmonised European Standard (EN 301 549).
The EAA came into force on 28 June 2025, and it applies to all UK education providers that sell into EU markets or run EU-based partnerships and enterprises. This EU law takes aim at commercial products and services and requires them to be accessible for persons with disabilities.
For UK education providers targeting EU education consumers the EAA places renewed scrutiny on their admissions and assessment processes, for example, as well as websites, digital learning environments and educational tools such as e-books and e-journals.
Many of those who campaign for accessibility will say that if it doesn’t meet accessibility standards it is not high quality. No accessibility no excellence!
Accessibility as a benchmark of quality
The UK legislative framework has already played a significant role in advancing accessibility and inclusion in education.
The Equality Act 2010, and more recently The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 have combined to increase awareness and drive change in how digital content is used and experienced.
Conforming with accessibility standards including the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is increasingly seen as a measure of quality and essential to designing and delivering a high quality digital experience for all users.
Accountability
The International Education Strategy provides renewed impetus for leaders in UK education to make sure that conformance with accessibility standards is integrated into the design and build of all of their products and services.
Clarifying and attributing ownership of accessibility within an organisation is essential in terms of delivering high quality education as demanded by legislation.
Embedding it as a marker of institutional excellence across teaching and research now also aligns with the government’s ambition for education internationally.
Conclusion
Conforming with EAA recommended accessibility standards is clearly an important benchmark of quality for international education providers.
The UK is already recognised globally for its diversity and excellence in education and is a leader in inclusive education, with decades of experience in supporting learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), for example.
As a direct effect of the EAA, providers/producers can ‘quality assure’ their commercial digital products and services (including education products and services) in terms of accessibility standards when selling and distributing them in the EU.
The incentive is increased excellence in UK international education. The risks are reputational damage and penalties, as well as restrictions on the ability to operate in the EU market.
There is a lot to celebrate, and it is clear that accessible education technologies, products and services in addition to being demanded by legislation are essential in terms of delivering excellence in education.
What next
- Check your institution’s international offer. What products and services does your institution market/promote overseas?
- Join the Jisc International community for discussions, advice and sharing experiences about international issues with other Jisc members.
- Make sure that the products and services that you procure have accessibility designed and built in. Jisc Procurement and supplier management.
- The Jisc Accessibility Community Connect with peers to learn more about accessibility in a supportive space working together to crowdsource useful resources and information.
- Contact your Jisc relationship manager
Acknowledgements
- The UK’s International Education Strategy (published January 2026)
- The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018
- EN 301 549 is the primary European standard for digital accessibility
- European Accessibility Act (EAA)
- Accessible Digital Futures: Opportunities for digital and AI transformation in Higher Education
- Sleepwalking into criminal liability? Accessibility and the future of universities
- Why digital accessibility is now a leadership issue for universities
