University Partnership Development

Our core business is to identify, establish, and nurture international university partnerships. We work with an extensive network of public and private universities, government ministries, and industry bodies to develop opportunities that align with our clients’ strategies and needs. Our team works systematically with key institutional stakeholders to understand your priorities before customising a strategic action plan that delivers against those objectives. We take a 2-stage approach:

Stage 1: We undertake a comprehensive consultation to determine institutional strengths, partnership needs, and target regions. We then agree the partnership models and goals (e.g., study abroad, dual degrees, CPD), and develop and agree market entry plans.

Stage 2: We identify potential partners and introduce them to you. CCG facilitates the initial meetings and continues to support the relationship until a formal partnership is secured.

Our partnership models are designed to build profile and diversify revenue streams. Example models include:

Micro Hub

The MicroHub model allows your university to deliver select programmes remotely on a partner institution’s campus. The host university provides the physical space for the MicroHub, which is a branded centre with infrastructure for online delivery. The host ensures the agreed “student experience” metrics are met (e.g., pastoral support, academic support, accommodation, library), and supports local marketing and student recruitment.

Equitable Transnational Education (ETNE)

CCG has developed a new TNE model that builds onshore international student recruitment while supporting source/partner universities in the Global South. Under the ETNE model, your university sets aside and holds a small proportion of the fee revenue from each student recruited directly from the partner to support development activities (e.g., joint research, academic exchange, or subsidised summer school). Under the ETNE model, the partner will prioritise progression to your institution.

Government and Public Sector Consultancy

CCG has a long history of collaborating with government ministries and agencies across Europe and Central Asia. We assist in the design and implementation of projects that strengthen higher education infrastructure, enhance curriculum alignment with industry, and build international student attraction.

Capacity Building

Our Vilnius team supports Central and Eastern European governments with capacity building projects by developing international university partnerships with local institutions. These projects often involve highly-ranked UK, Australian, and US universities partnering with local institutions to attract talented students to study, live, and work in Central and Eastern Europe. Involvement in capacity building projects builds brand recognition locally, diversifies revenue streams, and facilitates access to new recruitment markets.

TNE Review and Strategy Development Service

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) provides comprehensive TNE Review and Strategy Development services for Higher Education Institutions looking to expand their global reach through transnational education. We help institutions establish clear TNE objectives aligned with their mission, evaluate suitable delivery models, and develop effective risk management strategies for international markets. Our service includes creating customised partnership strategies, designing robust quality assurance processes, and conducting thorough institutional capacity assessments to ensure readiness for successful TNE implementation and delivery.

Articulation and Progression Partnerships

CCG works with universities to develop sustainable and profitable articulation and progression partnerships.

International Student Recruitment Review and Strategy Development

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) provides comprehensive International Student Recruitment Review and Strategy Development services for Higher Education Institutions looking to enhance their global recruitment efforts. We conduct a systematic review of your current recruitment strategy, analysing historical data trends and evaluating the effectiveness of existing recruitment channels and marketing approaches. Working closely with your team, we establish key strategic objectives and create a customised report with recommended internationalisation models, target markets and sustainable international partnerships. CCG also helps develop robust processes to ensure consistent international student enrolment, with clear performance indicators to measure the success of your enhanced recruitment strategy.

Bespoke Market Visits

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) offers bespoke travel planning support for universities seeking to explore new markets and partnership opportunities across fast-growing markets such as India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Lithuania, Latvia and Romania, among others. The service begins with an in-depth analysis of institutional goals and existing partnerships, followed by developing tailored trip plans that include organising meetings with potential university partners, government agencies, funding bodies, and industry stakeholders. A local CCG representative provides in-person logistical support during the visit, ensuring a seamless experience that allows university delegates to focus on building meaningful partnerships. CCG continues to work with institutions for 12 months following country visits, supporting the development of identified opportunities through coordinating negotiations with potential partners and arranging follow-up visits as needed.

Graduate Hub

CCG has developed the Graduate Hub Initiative, a transnational education (TNE) partnership model designed for the North American market. This model enables U.S. colleges to collaborate with UK universities to offer master’s programs on their campuses under a revenue-sharing agreement. It provides a cost-effective and scalable solution for expanding graduate offerings while fostering academic collaboration and global engagement

Franchise

We have extensive experience of developing revenue-generating franchise partnerships in which your institution’s programmes are licensed for off-shore delivery by a partner institution. Through this option, all the academic material and content are offered by the UK/US university. The staff at the local university is responsible for teaching and assessment. UK/US University is responsible for all approvals, quality assurance and monitoring

Mobility Development

We support universities to establish balanced inbound and outbound student exchange opportunities. Part of the programme is delivered at the local university. Part is delivered in UK/US, based on credits being transferred to the UK/US University. Example-Bachelor: 2+2, 3+1, 2+1; Master 1+1, 1½+½

This is a less expensive alternative than studying in the UK or US for the entire duration of the degree, and students may obtain the local degree. Students pay the UK/US fee only in the year they study there. A full international experience, and exposure to the UK/US culture and language.

Services for Educational Investors and EdTech Companies

Our team supports educational investors, campus operators, and online program managers (OPMs) seeking to enter or expand in the UK, U.S., Australian, and European markets. From acquisition searches to market entry strategies, we connect investors with our network of university partners to build collaborations that benefit all parties.

Additionally, we partner with select EdTech firms to introduce innovative solutions to higher education institutions eager to adopt new technologies and improve operational efficiencies.