Migration - Meeting Scotland's Needs

Impact on the University and College Sector

35. The Higher Education sector has highlighted concerns about the cumulative impact of the immigration system changes announced by the UK Government. The restriction on bringing dependents means that a student may have to accept being separated from their immediate family (partner and children), whilst the significant increase in the salary threshold for the Skilled Worker Visa means that it is much harder for graduates to transition to a Skilled Worker Visa. There is a significant risk that the cumulative impact of these changes is making the UK, and therefore Scotland, less attractive to international students.

36. Universities Scotland have stated that data collected in November 2023 and February 2024 on international student numbers for both semesters indicate that postgraduate enrollments were down by over 20% on the previous year. That is likely to have a £100m negative impact on universities.

37. This trend is likely to continue. UK Immigration statistics show that in the year ending September 2024, there were 392,969 sponsored study visas granted to main applicants, 19% fewer than in the year ending September 2023^[13].