To ask the Scottish Government how many overseas students are studying at university in Scotland; how many there were in 2010; whether it c…

Data on the number of overseas (i.e. Non-EU) students at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Scotland is produced by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The latest data is for academic year 2011-12. The total number of overseas students studying at Scottish HEIs increased by 2% from 27,840 in 2010-11 to 28,470 in 2011-12; with overseas entrants increasing by 2% over the same period. These figures demonstrate the appeal of Scotland’s world-class universities in the face of the UK Government’s tightening of student visa criteria. However, it must be noted that although overall entrant numbers have increased, entrants from some countries have declined considerably during this period.
The UK Government has closed the post-study work visa to new students. This change came into effect in April 2012; however it was announced in March 2011. This may therefore have influenced the decision of some overseas students to study in Scotland in 2011-12. In 2011-12, the number of new entrants to Scottish HEIs from India decreased from 1,985 in 2010-11 to 1,330 in 2011-12, a reduction of 33%; and the number of new entrants from Pakistan decreased from 400 in 2010-11 to 270 in 2011-12, a reduction of 32%. These were mostly post-graduate students. It is Scottish Government policy that a post-study work visa would be re-introduced in an independent Scotland to encourage more talented people from around the world to further their education in Scotland, providing income for Scotland's educational institutions and contributing to the local economy and community diversity.