The first stage of establishing strategically partnership is through joint operations in the form of academic degree programme and/or joint research project. SII offers a unique combination of high academic standards and employment success in the form of a prime off-shore location. It aims to offer international study programmes exploiting the expertise of Surrey and overseas prestigious universities to offer top quality programmes overseas with students having the option to take part of their study in the UK. These programmes are also offered to international students, including home and EU students based at Surrey, to undertake part of their study in Surrey’s overseas partnership universities.

Through the joint degree and/or joint research programme, further partnership with industry and local community organisations will be developed through our professional training and graduate employment. Through these partnerships, we build our international reputation.

SII started with a joint higher education partner in China: Dongbei University of Finance and Economics (DUFE). Surrey International Institute-DUFE was founded in 2006 and is an off-shore campus of the University of Surrey. SII-DUFE is the first SII branch and the first step in the university’s plans for international expansion. We are aiming over the next ten years to develop Surrey into an international brand with several Institutes around the world.