Internationalization of European Virtual Universities: A Qualitative Study of the Challenges

Abstract

This qualitative research examines internationalization in online higher education. It focuses on the challenges experienced by European virtual universities for internationalization. This segment of higher education institutions has distinctive characteristics and face different challenges to on-campus higher education since they lack physical mobility of students. Most studies in internationalization focus on on-campus education and neglect the experience and potential contributions of distance education to the growing market of online higher education. This study used a thematic analysis approach to interpret the data collected from interviews and primary documents from eleven institutions. The findings showed that strategic cooperation is the main pillar for internationalization in European virtual universities. The rationales for engaging in internationalization are developmental and humanitarian, linked to access, enhancement, and lifelong learning. The most relevant challenges found are related to cooperation with multilateral organizations, innovation in lifelong learning, international recognition, models for strategic management of internationalization, and enhancing options to mobility. Finally, the study presents several recommendations for practitioners and managers in the internationalization of European virtual universities.