Record international pupil numbers at Scottish universities

The variety of worldwide college students finding out at Scotland’s universities rose to a report excessive within the 2022-2023 tutorial 12 months.

Overseas college students made up practically 29% of the full, with their tuition charges offering an essential supply of funding for universities.

The greatest proportion by far continued to return from China – practically 20,000 college students – however 1000’s extra got here from India, Nigeria and the United States.

The variety of Scottish college students, who profit from free undergraduate tuition, was down by about 10,000 however they nonetheless made up practically 60% of the full.

Of the 292,240 increased schooling college students, 173,745 had been from Scotland whereas 83,975 had been from exterior the UK, in line with the figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

The proportion of Scottish to worldwide college students assorted significantly between universities.

Two of Scotland’s high universities, Edinburgh and St Andrews, each had extra worldwide college students than Scottish college students.

Universities Scotland believes there was a drop-off in college students arriving from overseas since 2023, that would put the sector’s funds below severe stress in future.

It says free tuition for Scottish undergraduates is made doable by the monetary contribution of abroad college students.

A spokesperson mentioned the figures had been a snapshot of the state of affairs two years in the past, earlier than worldwide upheavals and proposed modifications to UK immigration coverage affected functions.

“That means this data does not provide a sense of what universities are experiencing now,” they mentioned.

John Chinda and Demi Eleno are each Nigerian college students finding out for PhD {qualifications} at Dundee University.

Demi, 32, whose doctorate is in renewable vitality coverage, says there’s a vibrant group of worldwide college students and being a part of Scottish tradition is a “wonderful” expertise.

She says Scottish universities actively recruit in Nigeria, and whereas her authorities will sponsor individuals for scholarships, it stays an costly endeavor.

“We pay at least four times the amount that other students pay. Aside from the average of £15,000 to £23,000 that students pay each year, you’re also going to have to pay for rent, buy groceries, go out to eat,” she says.

“We are stimulating the economy, so it’s a bit sad to hear the anti-immigration rhetoric that we’re coming here to drain your resources, when it’s the exact opposite.”

John, 51, who’s finding out on the college’s centre for vitality legislation, says rising costs are a fear which impacts his angle to his research.

He says: “When you leave your country, you don’t come here to play games.

“You come here because, you know, you don’t have a chance to fail. Because if you fail, you have fees to pay.”

Some academics say the over-reliance on income from international students is not sustainable – and both UK and Scottish governments need to reconsider this model of funding higher education.

Scotland is the only UK nation to offer free university tuition to its home students.

Students who study at universities in England and Wales have to pay up to £9,250 in undergraduate tuition fees, usually financed by student loans.

The Student Awards Agency Scotland pays £1,820 per year tuition fees on behalf of most Scottish undergraduate students working towards their first degree.

Prof Sarah Armstrong, an academic at the University of Glasgow, said: “That’s just a drop in the bucket to actually what the education costs.

“It raises the question of whether it is right that the government doesn’t fund Scottish student places to the extent that it’s necessary to actually cover the cost of their education.”

The number of funded university places for Scottish students was raised during the Covid pandemic, but plans to reduce them by 1,200 were detailed in last December’s budget.

Oversea undergraduates typically pay more than 10 times as much for tuition, though the majority are studying for postgraduate qualifications where the disparity is smaller.

Prof Armstrong believes cuts in funding have forced universities to become increasingly reliant on overseas students, but she says it is an “inherently unpredictable” source of income.

“It makes planning extremely difficult,” she said.

“The global situation right now is very troubling for a lot of different reasons, but that also has impacts on choices people make about their education.

“When universities expect high numbers and they don’t meet those numbers, they’re going to hit some serious financial risk.”

Prof Armstrong believes there are also ethical questions around the reliance on international students to pay for Scottish students to go to university.

“It’s not just a source of income. It’s human beings who are making choices to come here,” she mentioned.

The Scottish authorities welcomed the variety of worldwide college students selecting to review in Scotland.

Higher and Further Education Minister Graeme Dey mentioned: “International students play an incredibly positive economic, social and cultural role in Scotland.

“They add to the range of our communities, enrich the educational expertise and help native companies and jobs.”

Mr Dey also pointed to separate figures from admissions body Ucas which suggest the number of Scottish students accepted for the 2024/25 academic year will rise by 7%, including a 12% increase in acceptances from the 20 most deprived areas.

He insisted the government has a “resolute dedication” to maintaining free tuition for undergraduates.

“It is hugely encouraging to see a record number of Scottish students from our most disadvantaged communities getting into university,” he mentioned.

“This demonstrates the sturdy progress being made on widening entry to increased schooling and guaranteeing each younger individual in Scotland has an equal likelihood of success, irrespective of their background or circumstance.”

Scottish Conservative education spokesperson Liam Kerr said SNP cuts had made universities too reliant on overseas students.

“While it is welcome many students from around the world are choosing to study in Scotland, universities have made it clear that the SNP’s arbitrary cap on places for Scottish students means they are having to turn away many talented homegrown students each year,” he mentioned.