Universities Scotland has responded to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC)’s consultation, International students: economic and social impacts. The MAC was commissioned by the UK Government in 2017 to assess the impact of international students in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The government has asked the MAC to report its findings by September 2018.

The contribution of international students to Scottish universities, and Scottish society in general, is immense. In our submission, we highlighted how highly-internationalised institutions are linked to high-quality learning, teaching and research. The cultural exchange which takes place in classrooms and lecture theatres across the country benefits Scottish students greatly. We also emphasised the contribution international students make to communities, supporting employment and stimulating the local economy in which their campuses are located. Furthermore, we argued that the financial stability of institutions is also dependent on international students, as their fees generate huge income for Scottish universities.

You can read our full submission here.