A significant decline in the number of international students choosing Scotland for higher education has been recorded, marking a stark shift from previous years. According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the academic year 2023/24 saw nearly 9,380 fewer foreign students enrolling compared to the previous year.
Postgraduate Enrollment Takes a Major Hit
The most substantial drop occurred at the postgraduate taught level, with enrollment numbers plummeting by 25.7% between 2022/23 and 2023/24. Undergraduate enrollments saw a comparatively smaller decline of 3.8%, bringing the overall reduction in international students across all levels to 20%.
Different institutions across Scotland experienced varying degrees of impact, depending on their recruitment models and target markets. Some universities, heavily reliant on students from India and Nigeria, reported sharper declines, while demand from China and North America remained relatively stable.
Universities Feeling the Financial Pressure
Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland, highlighted the concerning financial impact of this sudden shift.
“This data aligns with what universities have been experiencing for the past 18 months—a sudden and sharp drop in international postgraduate taught entrants by 25% on average. This has effectively reversed five years of continuous growth in enrollments,” McPherson said.
She also pointed out that while the average drop is 25%, some institutions suffered even steeper losses, depending on their recruitment strategies. “Demand from key markets like India and Nigeria has declined, leaving universities with difficult financial challenges.”
The financial consequences are dire, with estimates suggesting a sector-wide revenue loss of approximately £150 million. McPherson stressed the urgency of discussions with the Scottish Government about both short-term financial stability and long-term funding solutions for higher education.
A Decade of Growth Disrupted
Before the 2023/24 academic year, Scotland had seen consistent growth in international student enrollments, particularly among non-EU postgraduate students.
- In 2021/22, non-EU postgraduate enrollments surged by 33%.
- In 2022/23, this trend continued with a 25% rise.
- The introduction of the Graduate Immigration Route in 2020/21 had been a major driver of this growth, allowing graduates to stay in the UK for two years (or three years for doctoral students) to seek employment.
Universities Scotland noted that not all institutions experienced an across-the-board decline, with some maintaining stable numbers at specific study levels. However, for many, the loss of international students has created financial uncertainties that could shape the future of Scottish higher education.
