The Scottish government has released its comprehensive International Education Strategy, aimed at improving the global appeal of its universities and colleges. Launched at Edinburgh Napier University, the plan ambitiously seeks to attract more international students and staff while diversifying the student population and maximising their contributions to the region.
The strategy lays out three primary ambitions. Firstly, the government intends to leverage Brand Scotland to showcase the welcoming environment to prospective international students and staff, with a specific focus on diversifying the region’s international student demographics. The government supplements this ambition by introducing a Talent Attraction and Migration Service, which supports those planning to stay in Scotland post-graduation and encourages their integration into the region’s growth sectors.
Secondly, the strategy aims to amplify Scotland’s social, educational, and economic impact on the global stage. Graeme Dey, Scotland’s Education Minister, emphasised the utilisation of international offices and ministerial visits to actively promote and expand Scotland’s world-class transnational education offerings.
Statistics from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reveal that in the academic year 2021–22, Scotland boasted 45,115 transnational education (TNE) students, accounting for 8.4% of the UK’s total TNE enrolments. Additionally, Scotland’s international student population constituted a quarter of the country’s entire student body, with over 83,000 students from more than 180 countries enrolled in institutions during the 2022–23 academic year.
Furthermore, HESA data indicates that Scottish institutions welcomed 82,440 international students, with a notable increase in non-EU student numbers to 65,300, contributing significantly to the Scottish economy, which received a boost of £4.75 billion from international student intake. The strategy’s final ambition centres on enhancing research capabilities through sustained investment in domestic and international collaborations, ensuring the continued advancement of core university research and knowledge exchange initiatives.
