International higher education advisory
I help universities find international opportunities, test them properly, and sign the ones worth having.
I advise universities, and the governments and organisations that work with them, on transnational education, international partnerships and global business development. I also review international strategies and portfolios for executive teams and governing bodies.
I did this work from the inside, as an executive at King's College London and The University of Western Australia. I now do it independently, through HSC Education.
Tayyeb Shah, Managing Director
The record
Executive roles at two world top-100 research-intensive universities, on two continents.
Deputy Vice President (Global Business Development), King's College London, in the Russell Group. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Partnerships), The University of Western Australia, in the Group of Eight.
QS World University Rankings 2027: King's 37th, UWA 77th.
Deals done on both sides of the table.
At King's I initiated and led the negotiation of the Shenzhen partnership that became the SUSTech-King's College London School of Medicine. I also broker partnerships for providers and companies seeking a university partner, so I know how both sides read a proposal.
President of the European Association for International Education, 2026-27.
Europe's professional association for international higher education, whose annual conference is the largest of its kind in Europe, with more than 7,000 participants. A voluntary role, kept separate from my advisory work.
Sometimes the best deal is the one you do not sign. I will say so.
Writing
I write a monthly UK/Europe column for The Koala News, the Australian international education outlet.
Britain goes to the students
Visas, money and the offshore pivot: a dispatch from inside the UK system, for readers who will recognise the plot.
First published in The Koala News, October 2026.
Speaking
I speak on transnational education and international strategy at the sector's major conferences - AIEA, APAIE, EAIE and EURIE among them - and at British Council, ministry and association events in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and the Americas.
Speaking enquiries: tayyeb [at] hsc.education
Contact