Most of these are entirely unregulated. Newspapers worldwide are full of advertisements for educational programs offered by foreign universities and other educational providers. Local facilities and often local staff are used, along with some inputs from the Western sponsor. Often, a degree from the Western institution is awarded upon completion of studies. The curricular model, reading materials, pedagogical style, and usually the language of instruction of the Western institution are the core of the program, although there is little direct intellectual input from the host university.
Students generally pay a significant premium for the privilege of studying the Western curriculum.
In some cases, the Western institution is integrally involved with all aspects of the educational program. Unlike McDonalds, quality control in the educational marketplace is spotty. Increasingly, foreign educational providers are setting up shop in Asia and Eastern Europe without working with a local educational institution. Often, a business firm or entrepreneur invests resources to start an educational institution, and contracts with a Western university or other institution to provide the service and to award the degree. In some cases, a foreign institution will simply open a program.