Scottish Universities Face Financial Crisis as International Student Numbers Drop 20%

A sharp decline in overseas enrollment, driven by Brexit and restrictive migration policies, has exposed the sector's reliance on international fees to offset chronic underfunding.

• The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reports a 20% average drop in international student enrollment for the 2023/24 academic year, with postgraduate courses seeing a 25.7% decline.
• The decline has resulted in an estimated £150 million annual loss for Scotland's higher education sector, with some universities warning of potential program and service cuts.
• Universities have become increasingly dependent on international student fees due to insufficient government funding of £1,820 per Scottish student annually, which institutions claim does not cover costs.
• The University of Dundee reported a 27% drop in international students, contributing to a £35 million budget deficit, while Edinburgh University experienced a slight increase in overseas enrollment.
• The Scottish Government has proposed a 'Scottish Graduate Visa' to retain international talent post-graduation, but no immediate solutions have been implemented to address the crisis.

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