Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 42
42
The Scottish Funding Council says it is clear that universities in Scotland “need” international students...
Conclusion
The Scottish Funding Council says it is clear that universities in Scotland “need” international students as a source of income in order to remain financially sustainable and to support other areas of their operation.103 Throughout our inquiry we have heard similar messages from our witnesses. In the view of Professor Rebecca Lunn, Head of the Centre for Ground Engineering and Energy Geosciences, University of Strathclyde, cross- subsidy of teaching from international fees “leaves us in rather a vulnerable position”.104 Matt Crilly, President of NUS Scotland told us that institutions “should not be relying on a marketised system of exorbitant tuition fees from international students”.105
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Higher Education in Scotland is, for the most part, a devolved responsibility. We recognise that the whole of the UK benefits from stability across Higher Education. We appreciate the importance of continuing to work closely with the Scottish Government as we recover from the COVID pandemic. There has been and continues to be engagement at ministerial and official level with the Scottish Government (and the other devolved administrations) to exchange information and policy developments across a range of issues facing education systems in the UK. Furthermore, the UK Government has been working tirelessly to support businesses and the economy in Scotland including our universities. International students bring fresh ideas and new perspectives and in doing so help challenge thinking, making for an enriching learning environment for all students, including those from the UK. For our young people, this cultural exchange helps build 2 Universities and Scotland: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report life-long friendships, as well as laying the foundation for future networks, and important business, political and diplomatic bridges. International students also help stimulate demand for courses, add to the UK’s impressive research capacity and have the potential to contribute invaluably to the UK skills base—particularly in key subjects where they benefit the UK economy by filling a number of sectoral skills shortages, for example engineering, technology, health and social work. Universities are aware of the possible risks associated with dependence on a single source of funding, whether that is from a single organisation or from a single nation. Ensuring student recruitment is from a diversified base, in order for growth to remain sustainable in the longer term remains a key strategic priority—our commitment to this is set out clearly in the International Education Strategy. As part of this strategy, which was launched last year and will be updated this year, we also announced the Graduate Route, among several other measures to attract new international students. The UK Government’s International Education Strategy and recent update make clear that the internationalisation of our higher education sector cannot come at any cost – universities must ensure they have appropriate processes in place to manage risk. We will look to work closely with colleagues in Scotland and the other DA’s to continue to work on this aim.