Scotland steps up efforts to retain international students post-graduation
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Scotland is intensifying its internationalisation drive, with higher and further education minister Graeme Dey declaring his ambition not only to attract but also to retain international students after graduation.
Speaking at the 2025 European Association for International Education (EAIE) conference in Gothenburg, Dey underlined the broader value that international students bring to Scotland, beyond the financial contribution of tuition fees. “Of course the income from international students is important, but these individuals enrich our universities and communities,” he said. “I want to be greedy – not just in recruiting students, but in persuading them to stay in Scotland beyond their studies.”
His remarks come against a backdrop of falling international enrolments. According to HESA, the number of non-UK students studying in Scotland dropped from 83,975 in 2022/23 to 73,915 in 2023/24, a 12% decline. Retaining talent has therefore become a priority for both government and institutions.
Earlier this year, Scotland launched its first international education strategy, designed to provide publicly funded institutions with greater incentives to strengthen collaboration and global partnerships. In 2024, the government also unveiled the Scotland Migration Service platform, offering tailored advice to international students in their final year who wish to remain in the country, as well as guidance for employers and investors.
The appointment of Rachel Sandison, deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Glasgow, as Scotland’s trade and investment envoy for international education further demonstrates the government’s commitment. Sandison will work to showcase Scotland’s academic excellence and research strengths to international partners.
Dey stressed the need to reframe the narrative around international students, cautioning against reducing them to financial assets. “We must get better at telling the story about the wider benefits of international students,” he noted, pointing to their role in enriching both campus life and wider Scottish society.
The minister’s participation at the EAIE conference sends a clear signal of Scotland’s ambitions. With Glasgow set to host the 2026 EAIE gathering, the country is keen to position itself as a leading global study destination and a welcoming home for international graduates.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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