2International students in Scotland
10.Non-EU international students make up a significant proportion of the student population attending Scotland’s Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).16 In 2014–15 there were 29,210 non-EU international students enrolled at Scottish HEIs, representing 12.6% of the total higher education student population. This is a similar proportion to that in England and in Wales, but considerably higher than that in Northern Ireland, as shown in the chart below.
Figure 1: Higher educational student enrolments by location and domicile, 2014/15
Source: Higher Education Statistics Authority, Higher Education Student Enrolments and Qualifications Obtained at Higher Education Providers in the United Kingdom 2014–15
11.The proportion of students made up of non-EU international students varies significantly between Scottish HEIs, with over 20% of all students at the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University and St Andrews University being non-EU international students, while the figure is below 5% at the University of Abertay, the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scotland’s Rural College and the University of the West of Scotland.17 The proportion of total students made up of international students at each of Scotland’s HEIs is shown below.18
Figure 2: Percentage of students at Scottish HEIs from a non-EU country, 2014–15
Source: Higher Education Statistics Authority, Higher Education Student Enrolments and Qualifications Obtained at Higher Education Providers in the United Kingdom 2014–15
Non-EU international students make up a significantly higher proportion of postgraduate students at Scottish HEIs (29% in 2014–15) compared to the proportion of non-EU students on undergraduate courses (7% in 2014–15).
12.In terms of the origin of non-EU international students attending Scottish HEIs, over 60% come from six countries—China, USA, Nigeria, Malaysia, India and Canada.19 More detail on the main origin countries of non-EU international students at Scottish HEIs is set out in the table below.
Table 3: Non-EU Students in Higher Education at Scottish Higher Education Providers, 2013–14
|
Place of domicile |
Students at Scottish HEIs |
Percentage of total |
|
China |
7,855 |
27% |
|
USA |
3,940 |
14% |
|
Nigeria |
1,875 |
7% |
|
Malaysia |
1,335 |
5% |
|
India |
1,315 |
5% |
|
Canada |
1,040 |
4% |
|
Saudi Arabia |
790 |
3% |
|
Norway |
765 |
3% |
|
Hong Kong |
670 |
2% |
|
Thailand |
620 |
2% |
|
All other |
8,405 |
29% |
|
Total |
28,610 |
Source: Scottish Government (PSW0011)
13.Scotland’s colleges also take non-EU international students, although the number of such students has fallen drastically in recent years, from 2,039 in 2010–11 to 561 in 2013–14.20 As the vast majority of non-EU international students studying in Scotland attend HEIs rather than colleges, it is on that group that we have focused during our inquiry.21
Student visas
14.Non-EU international students studying in Scotland must have been granted leave to remain in the UK through a student visa, with the vast majority being Tier 4 (General) student visas.22 These visas are available to non-EU nationals aged 16 or over who have an offer of a place to study, at a certain level,23 from an education provider which has a Home Office licence to sponsor international students.24 Non-EU international students attending HEIs are permitted to work part-time during term-time, the allowable hours varying depending on the level of the course, and full-time during vacations.25 Non-EU international students can remain in the UK and work full-time for the four months of leave after they have completed their course of study.26
The value of international students
15.The positive contribution international students make to the UK was recognised across the board, including by the UK and Scottish governments, and representatives of the business and education sectors. On this point, the UK Government’s evidence stated:
International students are greatly valued by the UK. It is recognised that they make an important contribution to the UK during their time here, and to making our education system one of the best in the world.27
Other witnesses expressed similar sentiments.28
16.Financially, non-EU international students make a significant contribution to HEIs and the wider economy across Scotland. In 2013–14, fee income from non-EU international students made up 12.5% of the total income of Scottish HEIs—a slightly lower proportion than in England but higher than in Wales and Northern Ireland.29 It has also been estimated that non-EU international students contribute over £400 million in off-campus expenditure.30 Alan Mackay, Deputy Vice-Principal International and Director of the International Office at the University of Edinburgh, also told us that the presence of large numbers of international students at Scottish HEIs played a role in job creation not just in terms of local services but also at airports because of travel to and from Scotland.31
17.In addition to the financial benefits of attracting international students to Scottish universities, bringing together students from different nations also creates a global environment at Scottish universities which benefits both UK and international students.32 Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Aberdeen and Chair of the International Committee established by Universities Scotland, told us:
My interest in taking international students is because it is good for my Scottish students to be educated in an environment with international students around. It is good for Scotland, and indeed for the wider UK, for international students to be here and then to go back to their country and become leaders and remember fondly their time in Scotland, and it is good overall for the economy.33
We have heard about the positive role international students play in acting as ambassadors for Scotland when they leave the UK, due to the links they retain with the areas where they studied.34 We have also heard that non-EU international students can make it viable for universities to run certain courses—particularly in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)—meaning that these courses can be made available to both UK and international students.35
18.We welcome all international students who choose to study at Scottish Higher Education Institutions. The number of both EU and non-EU international students at Scottish HEIs is a testament to the high quality of Scottish universities. These students help create a global environment which is of benefit to students of all nationalities, and non-EU international students also make an important financial contribution to both the higher education sector and local economies.
16 This report focuses on non-EU international students, as EU international students have an automatic right to work in the UK.
17 Higher Education Statistics Authority, Table 1: HE student enrolments by mode of study, sex, level of study and domicile 2009/10 to 2013/14, January 2015
18 Scotland has 19 HEIs including the Open University, but all non-EU students studying with the Open University are registered at the England centre, so figures relation to the Open University in Scotland are not comparable to other Scottish HEIs and the University has therefore been excluded from this table.
20 Scottish Government, Post Study Work Working Group: Report to Ministers, March 2015
21 Although the focus of this report is on non-EU international students attending Scottish HEIs, we received some evidence on specific challenges relating to non-EU international students attending Scottish colleges. These included restricted permission to work during a college course, not being able to take advantage of the route for transferring from a Tier 4 to a Tier 2 visa. [For more detail see the oral evidence from Anne Cant]
22 There are also student visas available for children and short-term study, but the numbers of visas granted under these routes is very low.
23 Tier 4 (General) student visas can be obtained for courses which are: approved at level 3 or above on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) or Qualifications and Credits Framework (QCF) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; or accredited at level 6 or above in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) by the Scottish Qualifications Authority; or a short-term Study Abroad programme in the UK as part of the Tier 4 (General) student’s qualification at an overseas university, as long as the qualification is confirmed as being at the same level as a UK degree by UK NARIC; or an English language course at level B2 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
24 Home Office, Tier 4 of the Points Based System – Policy Guidance, November 2015, paras 45-6
25 Detailed informed on allowable work for student visa holders is set out in the Home Office’s policy guidance for Tier 4 visas.
26 Home Office, Tier 4 of the Points Based System – Policy Guidance, November 2015, para 277
28 Q2, STUC (PSW0003), Edinburgh University Students’ Association’s (EUSA) (PSW0013) para 1.1, University of Edinburgh (PSW0016)
29 Higher Education Statistics Authority, HE Finance Plus 2013/14
30 SCDI (PSW0005), Universities Scotland, Richer for it, September 2013
31 Q3
32 Qq2, 12 [Professor Sir Ian Diamond], Q121 [Professor Robert Wright], Q13 [Anne Cant], STUC (PSW0003), University of Edinburgh (PSW0016), Universities Scotland, Richer for it, September 2013
33 Q12
35 STUC (PSW0003), Universities UK, The funding environment for universities 2014, September 2014
© Parliamentary copyright 2015
Prepared 10 February 2016