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More and more British universities are franchising overseas institutions to offer their degrees and other qualifications.

The trade is now worth Pounds 250 million a year, says a report from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex. "Interestingly the United Kingdom and Australia are bigger players in this market than the United States," said Paul Bennell, who made the study. It is thought to be the first survey of overseas franchise deals.

More than 80 British universities were offering courses in Malaysia last year, Dr Bennell said, and they are expanding into other areas including Eastern Europe, China and Africa.