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Export support
Advice and support
BESA advises and supports UK education suppliers at every stage of their export journey, whether you are just starting to explore overseas markets or looking to grow your international presence.
We provide practical guidance informed by our long‑standing international work, including trade shows, trade missions and ongoing engagement with policymakers, embassies, school groups and partners around the world. This allows us to help members understand where opportunities are developing and how to approach new or existing markets with confidence.
Our dedicated events team supports members before, during and after international activity, helping them make the most of trade shows, trade missions and market‑entry opportunities.
Our international objectives
- Increasing the number of UK education suppliers exporting overseas
- Introducing existing exporters to new and emerging market opportunities
- Raising awareness of British education products and services internationally
- Providing practical advice and trusted connections to support export decisions
- Creating opportunities to meet buyers, investors and potential distributors at international events
- Working with partners in the UK and overseas to improve access to on‑the‑ground support
Our latest export insights
We also share regular insight from our international work, including emerging opportunities, new schools opening and what we are seeing and hearing in key territories. This insight is drawn from our ongoing engagement with partners, policymakers, events and education leaders overseas, helping members stay informed about developments that may shape their export decisions. This includes:
- Emerging international markets and growth opportunities
- New international schools and wider system developments
- Insight from trade shows, trade missions and overseas events
- Policy signals and conversations shaping international education
- Practical observations from partners, embassies and education leaders
- Case studies and examples from members active in export markets
Recent research:
The weekly BESA Export Update is your roundup of news and overseas insights to help support your exporting activities.
BESA International Update: 16/04/2026
16 April 2026
Welcome to the first international update from BESA, your weekly roundup of news and overseas insights to help you support your exporting activities. Firstly…
BESA Export Support
Advice and training
Practical advice and information for exporters or companies looking to start exporting. We also run a number of webinars and training events aimed at developing export readiness, understanding overseas markets and making the most of international events.
International Tradeshows
BESA develops and steers international events in the sector working alongside partners such as Gess Dubai, Bett Asia and EduTech Australia. We provide pre-event briefings to help members get the most out of the event, and often run fringe activities such as networking events, school visits or meetings with the in-country Department for Business team. BESA is often asked to represent the industry on panels or as a speaker, or to meet with officials to discuss future opportunities. Our role is to help open the market for our members, and we facilitate connections for members wherever possible. A full listing of international events can be found here.
Trade Missions
Each year BESA takes a small number of suppliers to early-stage markets to explore opportunities and growth areas. Often these missions are run in conjunction with the Department for Business and Trade, and typically include school visits, teacher engagement and MOE or embassy involvement. Ideal for scoping out new markets, developing B2G contracts and long-term strategic planning in emerging markets. Recent missions have included Cambodia, Egypt and Morocco.
Monthly Updates
BESA members can sign up to receive our monthly international updates detailing events and opportunities directly relevant to export.
Governmental Links
BESA has close links with Government departments such as the Department for Business and Trade, Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office and British Council to promote the sector, and to secure funding and opportunities that will increase members’ business overseas.
Market Reports
Market Reports on various countries and regions are available to BESA members. BESA members area also able to access ISC Research data at discounted rates.
Code of Practice
BESA members sign up to our Code of Practice and use the BESA logo to ensure that customers worldwide know they value safety, reliability and value for money.
Export Special Interest Group
The Export Special Interest Group meets three times a year and enables BESA members to develop relationships within the industry and with fellow exporters. We invite expert speakers to share their knowledge and expertise with the group, with each meeting having a different market focus. The group also provides feedback to BESA on the barriers to export and challenges that they face, which informs our lobbying work and helps us plan the support and training we put in place in the future.
Partners
ISC Research
ISC Research is the leading specialist provider of data, insight, and market intelligence on the global international schools sector. Through an exclusive offer for BESA members, you can access trusted intelligence that supports confident decision-making and commercial growth. BESA members benefit from a 20% exclusive discount on the ISC-iQ library.
- Book a demo to see how ISC can support your international growth strategy, or visit the ISC Research website to learn more.
Council of British International Schools (COBIS)
Our partnership with COBIS provides BESA members with enhanced opportunities to engage with British international schools worldwide, and gain access to speakers and insights from school leaders operating in key international markets, drawn from the extensive COBIS network. There are also additional benefits for COBIS Supporting Associates who are BESA members, and opportunities for collaboration on events and conferences.
- 44th COBIS Annual Conference – up to £599 savings on Exhibitor Packages
International trade shows
Export support webinars
On-demand exporting insights
Location information
America
North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Islands form the third largest region in the world.
Languages spoken in the region are English, Spanish and Portuguese with French and Dutch spoken in some areas.
The total population of the Americas is about 859,000,000 people (501 million in North and Central America including the Caribbean and 357 million in South America).
For opportunities in this region, please see upcoming events.
Asia
This region consists of 48 countries and is the largest and most populous continent.
India, Indonesia and Vietnam are priority countries of focus under the Department for Business and Trade’s International Education Strategy.
Languages spoken in this region include English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Mandarin, Hindi and Punjabi. The total population of Asia is about 4.14 billion, accounting for nearly 60% of the world’s population.
BESA has major events in India and Malaysia. For opportunities in this region, please see upcoming events.
Europe
This region comprises 47 countries. It is the second smallest continent but the third most populous. Languages spoken in the region include English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Polish. The total population of Europe is about 740 million. The most populous country is Russia and the least populous is Vatican City.
For opportunities in this region, please see upcoming events.
Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
This is a region comprising 21 countries. Saudi Arabia is a key areas of focus under the Department for Business and Trade’s International Education Strategy.
The main language spoken in the region is Arabic. The total population of MENA is about 300 million. The Gulf States have the highest concentration of British International Schools and with numbers continuing to grow year on year. BESA’s key event in the Region is Gess Dubai which particularly serves the Gulf Region, but we also support several other events and associations in the region.
For opportunities in this region, please see upcoming events.
Sub-Saharan Africa
This region is the area of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. It is different to North Africa which includes the Arabic speaking countries and is part of the MENA area. Sub-Saharan Africa consists of 47 countries and includes Nigeria which is a key area of focus under the Department for Business and Trade’s International Education Strategy. Languages spoken in the region include English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili and Afrikaans. The total population of Sub-Saharan Africa is about 835 million.
For opportunities in this region, please see upcoming events.
Australia and New Zealand
Despite its physical size, Australia and New Zealand is a relatively small overseas market. However there is strong appetite for UK resources, and schools are very open to using EdTech. There is much common ground with our curricula meaning minimal adaptations may be required in order to sell to the region. In recent years BESA has attended the Edutech Australia event and forged strong relationships with trade associations and Department for Business and Trade representatives in region.
For opportunities in this region, please see upcoming events.
Join the community
Whether you’re joining us as a Full Member or subscribing to the Launchpad programme, your business will need to meet our membership criteria and sign up to our Code of Practice. Take the next step and see what is involved in this commitment.
