The UK HE International Unit (IU) represents the UK higher education sector internationally and empowers the sector to secure maximum value from international opportunities.

The UK Higher Education International Unit (IU) initiates and carries out high profile projects and activities to support and develop the breadth and depth of the UK HE sector's international activities. It supports the sector's engagement in European Union and Bologna Process policy debates.  The IU is a central observatory and intelligence unit on higher education internationalisation and policy developments for UK higher education institutions.
In representing the sector as a whole, the IU works closely with higher education institutions and organisations, including the British Council, UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Department for Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland), UKTI, Universities Scotland, the Scottish Government, Higher Education Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government.
The IU also works with other sector organisations, including the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, the Council for Industry and Higher Education, the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, the Association of UK HE European Officers (HEURO), the UK Research Office (UKRO), Welsh Higher Education Brussels (WHEB), Wales International Consortium (WIC), and the National Union of Students.
The IU was formed on 1 August 2010 by merging the UK HE International Unit and the UK HE Europe Unit.
The IU is funded by Universities UK, Guild HE, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Higher Education and Funding Council for Wales, Scottish Funding Council, Department for Employment and Learning (Northern Ireland), The Higher Education Academy and Quality Assurance Agency.