Record High International and Scottish Students Enroll

The 2022-2023 academic year marked a record high for international students in Scotland, who made up nearly 29% of the total student population, with significant contributions from China, India, the US, and Nigeria. In the broader UK context, the total number of international students reached 758,855, with India surpassing China for the first time as the leading country of origin, accounting for 26% of non-EU students. Notably, Scottish students secured a record number of university placements, with 31,970 acceptances reported, while there was a 12% increase in acceptances from the most deprived areas. However, concerns have been raised about the overall decline in academic achievement and the widening attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers. The minister for Higher and Further Education highlighted the importance of access to free tuition and enhanced support, aiming to ensure educational opportunities for all students regardless of background. Meanwhile, the declining numbers of EU students in the UK continue to be a point of concern following the impact of Brexit.