Plans unveiled to maximise Scotland’s reputation globally.
Promoting Scotland’s world leading university research and
economic potential is at the core of the country's first
International Education Strategy (IES).
The IES sets out plans to attract more academic staff, and to
encourage and support international students to stay in Scotland
after qualifying to work in key growth economies.
As part of the strategy, activity will be increased to promote
universities and colleges internationally to prospective
students, with global alumni communities and the wider Scottish
diaspora being engaged. Work to develop a Scottish Exchange
Programme will continue, building on the current Test and Learn
project, and a Talent Attraction and Migration Service will be
launched in 2024 providing information and advice for
students considering staying in Scotland post-qualifying.
Launching the strategy at Edinburgh Napier University, Higher and
Further Education Minister said:
"Scotland already has more top universities per head of
population than any other country in the world. This strategy
sets out our collective aim to create the conditions for our
universities and colleges to continue to flourish.
"In the coming months and years, we will continue to work with
Scotland’s universities and colleges to help them diversify their
international student, research, and staff population by
enhancing our reputation as a world-leading safe and inclusive
country, with open-minded social policies.
"We will help maximise the social and economic benefits of
international higher education, and we will continue to promote
Scotland’s world leading research and knowledge exchange sector
on the global stage."
Professor Andrea Nolan, Universities Scotland International
Committee Convener, said:
“This is Scotland’s first international education strategy, and
it gives us a platform, working together with Government and
other partners, to further develop these positive links to
strengthen the sector’s contribution to the economy, society and
culture. It also looks to deepen support for the full breadth of
universities’ international role.
“We’re already known internationally for the quality of our
higher and further education, but what may be less well
understood is the role our universities and colleges play as
major contributors to inwards investment, and the attraction of
talented people who want to live and work in here.
“Working in partnership we will build on all elements of our
international work to grow our reach and impact.”
Background
International Education
Strategy
In 2022-23 more than 83,000 students from over 180 different
countries came to study at Scottish universities, and
international students made up a quarter of the total student
population.
The National Strategy for Economic
Transformation (NSET) highlights that Scotland has more
top universities per head of population than any other country in
the world and is in the top quartile of Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development countries for Higher Education
Research & Development.
