External Affairs
Minister Humza Yousaf today said plans to introduce a post-study work visa in
an independent Scotland would protect universities and opportunities for
international students.
Mr Yousaf
highlighted how the numbers of entrants to Scottish universities from India and
Pakistan have almost halved in the last two years. The reduced figures follow
the UK Government’s removal of the post-study work visa which allowed
non-EU students to remain in Scotland and contribute further to the sector and
the wider economy on completion of their studies.
Scotland welcomes
over 45,000 students from overseas each year including 28,300 international
students from outside the EU. In 2012/13, Scottish institutions received an
income of £374 million from non-EU course fees alone, with these students
also contributing to Scotland’s economy and society.
Mr Yousaf said:
“There is no
doubt that the UK Government’s immigration policies are damaging our
university sector, Scotland and our international reputation. Scotland benefits
immeasurably from the social, cultural and intellectual impact of international
students in our 19 higher education institutions.
“In 2012/13
there were 28,305 international students at all levels in our universities from
over 180 countries. Beneath these figures the negative impact of the UK
Government’s immigration policies is being seen and felt. There has been
a worrying drop in new entrants from countries like Pakistan and India –
two countries which traditionally send high numbers of students to
Scotland.
“Although a
majority would either be unaffected or would be more likely to come in the
event of independence, the survey highlights crucial issues about the
marketing of Scottish higher education in future.
In March 2011 the UK
Government announced the post-study work visa route would close in April 2012
and since then, the number of new entrants to Scottish universities from India
decreased by 58 per cent, from Pakistan by 38 per cent and from Nigeria by 22
per cent.
“It is clear
that we must do everything within our power to protect the valuable
contribution made by international students to higher education in Scotland and
protect our universities. Clearly, Scotland must have the powers of an
independent nation to develop an immigration system that works for Scotland and
ensures that we fully protect the international reputation and success of our
universities.
“That is why,
in Scotland’s Future, we set out a positive vision for an
independent Scotland, promising to introduce a controlled immigration system
that meets our social, economic and cultural needs.
“Our
immigration needs are different to those of the whole of the UK. In particular,
our population growth has been slower, historically. Latest population figures
suggest that Scotland’s workforce will not grow as rapidly as the rest of
the UK.
“There is a
clear indication that Scotland’s working age population will fall in
future. This gives us a clear economic rationale for stimulating an increase in
our population as set out in our economic strategy – including through
immigration.
“Of course,
there are skilled and well educated Scots looking for work in Scotland. We are
making the strongest efforts to create more jobs and develop the skills of our
workforce. However, we must also be able to attract and retain world-class
talent to fill vacancies which cannot be filled by resident workers.
“We would
ensure that the immigration policies we introduce, including the post-study
work visa, allow Scotland to attract and retain world-class talent,
contributing to our education system and the Scottish economy.”
Notes To Editors
Scotland’s
Future: Higher Education Research in and Independent Scotland can be found
at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0044/00449224.pdf