Study Group, which delivers international pathway programs for university students worldwide, is changing hands again, with Arete Education acquiring the company, it was announced last week.
The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, comes roughly eight months after Study Group secured tens of millions of pounds in funding from two investment firms – Intermediate Capital Group and Bain Capital – a capital injection that provided the company with short-term financial stability.
Arete Education has now acquired all academic operations within Study Group, and employees will be transferred across “according to appropriate processes”. A press release outlined that the remaining legacy entities not being acquired will either continue independently or be placed into administration.
Global University Systems and Brightstar Capital Partners are already partners through their joint ownership of Arden University, following Brightstar’s acquisition of a 50% stake in the institution alongside GUS last year.
In its May 8 statement, Study Group said Arete Education is investing through its ownership of Arden University in AI-focused technology designed to improve student outcomes, enhance the learning experience and support institutional innovation.
Study Group said the deal brings together “highly complementary organisations” with a shared focus on widening access to international education. The company said the acquisition would help it and its university partners benefit from “AI-enabled solutions and digital innovation”, while stressing that its existing partnerships, student progression routes and commitments would remain in place.
It added that its international growth has been driven by a focus on innovation that has strengthened access pathways for students across key global markets.
According to Ian Crichton, chief executive officer of Study Group, the investment will enable Study Group “to continue evolving to meet student demand, strengthen support for university partners and governments, and further enhance the services we provide to students worldwide”.
“We are committed to maintaining our trusted focus on excellent teaching and student support in global education and welcome the fact that this is important to our new owners. We also see real opportunities for future development in line with changing trends and international student engagement,” added Crichton.
We are committed to maintaining our trusted focus on excellent teaching and student support in global education and welcome the fact that this is important to our new owners
Ian Crichton, Study Group
Crichton said he is “confident” the next chapter will allow Study Group to “deepen partnerships with leading universities worldwide and continue expanding our global footprint”. He said that Arete Education will further strengthen the organisation’s “ability to support university partners, broaden student access and deliver scalable, high-quality education solutions globally”.
A spokesperson for Arete Education said it is pleased to support Study Group “in its next phase of growth”.
“This acquisition reflects a shared commitment to investing in high-quality international education, including continued investment in AI-enabled innovation and digital capabilities, and to building a global platform that delivers opportunity and impact at scale.
“We are committed to supporting Study Group’s existing university partners and maintaining the trust, independence and quality that underpin those relationships.”
It was recently revealed that Study Group will have an advisory membership role in the UK government’s new Education Sector Action Group (ESAG), the minister-led body tasked with driving the refreshed international education strategy.
It means a representative from the newly-acquired organisation will attend subgroup meetings organised by the core ESAG membership and deliver delegated elements of the sector action plans as part of the government’s ambition to increase education exports to £40 billion per year by 2030.
