Janice Lozano
Scotland has seen strong growth in international student numbers over the five-year period leading up to 2022/23. International students made up nearly 29% of the total in 2022/23, but these numbers may have peaked. In 2021/22, a record 183,025 Scottish students studied at Scottish universities, with a total of 301,230 students enrolled in Scottish universities that year. According to the latest available data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 2.86 million individuals were enrolled in higher education in the UK in 2021/22. In 2024/25, a record number of Scottish students have secured places at Scottish universities, with acceptances for home students increasing by 7% to 31,220.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students enrolled in Scottish universities in 2021-22 | 301,230 |
| Number of Scottish students enrolled in Scottish universities in 2021-22 | 183,025 |
| Number of Scottish students enrolled in Scottish universities in 2024-25 | 31,220 |
| Percentage increase in Scottish students enrolled in Scottish universities from 2021-22 to 2024-25 | 7% |
| Number of rUK students enrolled in Scottish universities in 2021-22 | 35,730 |
| Number of non-EU students enrolled in Scottish universities in 2021-22 | 65,300 |
| Number of EU students enrolled in Scottish universities in 2021-22 | 17,140 |
| Percentage of international students in Scottish universities in 2022-23 | 29% |
| Number of international students enrolled in the UK in 2022-23 | 576,705 |
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What You'll Learn
- Scottish universities saw a record number of 183,025 students in 2021-22
- There's been a 6% overall growth in Scottish undergrads over the last five years
- International students made up 29% of the total in 2022/23
- Scotland's universities lost funding for 1,200+ Scottish undergraduate places created during the pandemic
- Scottish students don't pay fees for undergraduate study, while international students do
Scottish universities saw a record number of 183,025 students in 2021-22
Scottish universities have seen a consistent increase in the number of students over the years. In 2021-22, a record number of 183,025 students enrolled in Scottish universities, a 6.5% increase from the previous year. This number included a mix of Scottish-domiciled, rUK-domiciled, non-EU-domiciled, and EU-domiciled students. The number of Scottish-domiciled students specifically was 183,025, a 1.6% increase from 2020-21.
Scotland is the only part of the UK that offers free university tuition to its students. This has resulted in a greater number of Scottish students pursuing higher education. In addition, the Scottish government has invested significantly in student support, ensuring that access to university is based on academic merit rather than financial means. This commitment to accessible education has contributed to the rising student numbers in Scottish universities.
While the number of Scottish students in Scottish universities has been increasing, there has also been a notable rise in international students. In recent years, Scotland has experienced strong growth in international student numbers, particularly at the postgraduate level. International students are drawn to Scotland for its high-quality education and the opportunity to study abroad. They add to the cultural diversity of Scottish universities and enrich the learning experience for all students.
However, some have criticised the reliance on international students as a source of income. There are concerns that universities may be too dependent on income from international tuition fees, and it has been suggested that both the UK and Scottish governments should reconsider this funding model for higher education. Despite these concerns, international students continue to play an important role in the Scottish higher education system, and their contributions are valued by the Scottish government and university communities.
As of August 2024, the most recent data available is for the 2022/23 academic year, which shows a pattern of overall growth in Scottish undergraduate students at Scottish universities. This growth is particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020/21 and 2021/22. While there has been a sharp drop in EU students due to Brexit, the number of Scottish students from disadvantaged backgrounds has increased, demonstrating the widening access to higher education in Scotland.
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There's been a 6% overall growth in Scottish undergrads over the last five years
Scotland has experienced a notable increase in the number of undergraduate students over the past five years, with a 6% overall growth in Scottish undergraduates from 2017/18 to 2022/23. This growth is particularly evident during the two COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020/21 and 2021/22.
In 2021/22, a record number of students enrolled at Scottish higher education institutions (HEIs), with a total of 301,230 students. Of these, 183,025 were Scottish-domiciled, a slight increase of 1.6% from the previous year. This trend continues into the 2024/25 academic year, with UCAS data indicating a 7% rise in the number of Scottish students accepted, reaching a new high of 31,220.
The growth in Scottish undergraduate numbers is set against a backdrop of fluctuations in international student numbers. Scotland has witnessed strong growth in international student numbers over the past five years, particularly at the postgraduate level. However, the latest HESA data for 2022/23 shows a sharp decline in international students, with a significant drop in EU students attributed to Brexit.
The impact of Brexit is evident in the numbers, with a 16.6% decrease in EU-domiciled students from 2020/21 to 2021/22. In contrast, non-EU-domiciled students increased by 37.1% during the same period. Overall, international students made up nearly 29% of the total student population in 2022/23.
The funding model for higher education in Scotland is a topic of discussion. Scotland offers free university tuition to its students, with the Student Awards Agency Scotland paying £1,820 per year in tuition fees for most Scottish undergraduate students. This model has led to concerns about over-reliance on income from international students, who pay tuition fees. Universities Scotland has emphasised that the recruitment of international students does not affect the availability of places for Scottish students.
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International students made up 29% of the total in 2022/23
Scotland has seen a strong growth in international student numbers over the five-year period leading up to 2022/23. International students made up 29% of the total student population in Scottish universities in 2022/23. This growth has been predominantly at the postgraduate level.
The Scottish Government welcomed the number of international students choosing to study in Scotland. Higher and Further Education Minister Graeme Dey stated:
> International students play an incredibly positive economic, social and cultural role in Scotland. They add to the diversity of our communities, enrich the learning experience and support local businesses and jobs.
The financial support provided by international tuition fees helps to cross-subsidise and plug the funding gap caused by the under-funding of Scottish-domiciled places. Scotland is the only UK nation to offer free university tuition to its home students.
However, some academics and politicians have criticised the over-reliance on income from international students as a model for funding higher education. Scottish Conservative education spokesperson Liam Kerr commented:
> While it is welcome that many students from around the world are choosing to study in Scotland, universities have made it clear that the SNP’s arbitrary cap on places for Scottish students means they are having to turn away many talented homegrown students each year.
The most recent data for 2022/23 is nearly two years old, so it is unclear whether the number of international students in Scotland has continued to grow or has peaked.
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Scotland's universities lost funding for 1,200+ Scottish undergraduate places created during the pandemic
Scotland's universities have experienced a rollercoaster of student recruitment since 2019. The country's higher education institutions (HEIs) witnessed a record number of student enrolments in 2021-22, with a total of 301,230 students, an increase of 6.5% from the previous year. The number of Scottish students during this period was 183,025, while the number of non-EU students was 65,300.
However, the volatility in student numbers continued, and in 2024, universities faced a reduction in the number of fee-paying international students they could recruit due to changing immigration policies. This was further exacerbated by the Scottish Government's decision to discontinue funding for 1,200+ undergraduate places created during the pandemic. The funding was introduced to accommodate students affected by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) exam results controversy. While the funding was always intended to be temporary, university leaders expressed concern about the impact of these cuts on Scottish students and the financial sustainability of universities.
The loss of funding for these additional places created a challenging situation for Scottish universities. They were forced to make difficult choices between reducing the number of available places for students or further depleting the already limited public funding for each Scottish student's education. The availability of university places for Scottish students was already a point of contention, with the Scottish Conservative education spokesperson, Liam Kerr, arguing that universities were having to turn away talented homegrown students due to an "arbitrary cap" on places for Scottish students.
The funding cut is expected to save around £5 million, a relatively small amount compared to the £28.5 million shortfall faced by universities after the budget announcement. This has prompted discussions between universities and the Scottish government to find creative solutions and ensure the accessibility and quality of higher education in Scotland. The volatility in student numbers and funding challenges have created an uncertain environment for Scottish universities, and it remains to be seen what long-term strategies will be implemented to address these issues.
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Scottish students don't pay fees for undergraduate study, while international students do
Scotland has seen strong growth in international student numbers over the five-year period leading up to 2022/23. International students made up nearly 29% of the total student population in 2022/23. In 2021-22, a record 183,025 students were enrolled at Scottish universities, a 6.5% increase from the previous year.
Scottish students do not pay fees for undergraduate study in Scotland, while international students do. Scottish-domiciled students can apply for government funding to cover their tuition fees. The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) can cover tuition fees for Scottish students, whether they study in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK. SAAS will pay up to £1,820 per year in tuition fees for most Scottish undergraduate students working towards their first degree. However, if a student chooses to study at a private university in Scotland, SAAS will only pay £1,205. Scottish students who wish to study elsewhere in the UK will be charged standard tuition fees but may apply for a Tuition Fee Loan through SAAS.
Scottish students can also apply for a bursary and loan to help with living costs. The student loan is means-tested, and there are different levels of support available for dependent or independent students. Scottish-domiciled paramedic, nursing, and midwifery students may also apply for a non-income-assessed bursary for qualifying full-time courses at a Scottish university or college. Graduates taking an allied health profession course in Scotland can get their tuition fees paid for the first two years. Full-time PGDE teacher training students also receive full funding.
The Scottish government has welcomed the number of international students choosing to study in Scotland, highlighting the positive economic, social, and cultural impact they bring to the country. However, some academics argue that the over-reliance on income from international students is not sustainable and that the Scottish government needs to reconsider this funding model for higher education.
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Frequently asked questions
In the academic year 2021/22, a record 183,025 Scottish students were enrolled in Scottish universities. The total number of students enrolled in Scottish universities in the same year was 301,230.
In the academic year 2021/22, there were 65,300 non-EU international students enrolled in Scottish universities. International students made up nearly 29% of the total student population in Scottish universities in 2022/23.
No, the recruitment of international students does not impact the availability of places for Scottish students. Universities are fined if they under or over-recruit Scottish-domiciled students beyond a small margin of error.
In 2024, a record number of Scottish students secured places at Scottish universities, with acceptances increasing by 7% to 31,220.
In the academic year 2021/22, a total of 2.86 million individuals were enrolled in higher education in the UK. This includes both full-time and part-time students.
