The principal of Dundee University has branded a proposed UK Government curb on international students as “extremely concerning” for the city.
Professor Iain Gillespie said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to tackle immigration will harm a “vital” contribution to the university, the community and economy.
There are more than 140 different nations represented at Dundee University campuses.
Figures provided by the university show international students directly spent £35m in the city in 2020-21.
Meanwhile, the total net impact in 2018-19 was estimated at more than £160m.
There are wider fears the Tory crackdown will leave Scotland particularly exposed because of a reliance on foreign students’ fees.
‘Crackdown’
Prof Gillespie said: “It is extremely concerning to once again hear suggestions from Westminster of a crackdown on international student numbers.
“The contribution of international students, and staff, to Dundee, Scotland and the UK is an overwhelmingly positive story.”
Mr Sunak is considering limiting the number of foreign students bringing dependants to the UK, after net migration climbed to a record half a million.
Downing Street indicated plans to bring overall numbers down could include putting up barriers for international students’ loved ones and those studying “low quality” degrees.
These proposals on overseas students are absolutely stupid.
-Deputy First Minister John Swinney.
Prof Gillespie said the economic contribution of international students is “absolutely vital” to the sustainability of Dundee and many other universities, supporting research and the teaching of Scottish students.
He added: “Our international students also add a richness and diversity to our community that is hugely important.
“The UK higher education sector enjoys remarkable prestige around the world and brings many of the best global students here. Now is the time to build on the UK and Scotland’s leading position in international higher education.”
Abertay University also sounded the alarm.
In a statement, a university spokesman said “we firmly oppose” any measures designed to restrict student numbers.
“All Scottish universities are operating in a hugely challenging funding environment due to continuing real-terms cuts in Scottish Government funding, so any move to block the vital additional income from fee-paying international students would be a matter of real concern,” the spokesman said.
“We place enormous value on offering a diverse, multicultural experience on campus and to take this away would be highly detrimental to Dundee and its growth as a city.”
‘Stupid’
Deputy First Minister John Swinney, the MSP for Perthshire North, said: “These proposals on overseas students are absolutely stupid.
“They will set back our universities and undermine research activity. Is there no end to how foolish this UK Government is prepared to be?”
North-East Fife MSP Willie Rennie said limiting international students would be a “major threat to universities, especially in Scotland where we are particularly reliant on income from their tuition fees”.
He added: “We should be celebrating that we can attract so many, rather than treating them as a problem.”
Net migration up
Around 504,000 more people are estimated to have moved to the UK than left in the 12 months to June 2022, up sharply from 173,000 in the year to June 2021.
The estimates were compiled by the Office for National Statistics, which said the jump was driven by “unique” factors including visa schemes for Ukrainians and Hong Kong citizens, and students arriving from outside the European Union.
Every year more than 65,000 students from more than 180 countries study in Scotland.
Holyrood’s education committee raised concerns about a reliance on cash from overseas students earlier this month.
MSPs heard how universities face a “funding” gap of between £4,000 and £7,000 in 2022-23, based on the cash they receive from the Scottish Government for Scottish-domiciled students and the cost of teaching them.
Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland, said any attempts to cut international student numbers at Scottish universities would be “damaging to universities and the Scottish economy”.
He added: “80% of recently surveyed international graduates said they intend to build professional links with organisations in the UK and 74% indicated that they are more likely to do business with Scotland as a result of studying here.
“Why would we want to reduce these opportunities?
“Additionally, Scottish universities face a double whammy: we are reliant on income from international students to subsidise the cost of teaching Scottish students due to underfunding from the Scottish Government.”
The prime minister’s official spokesman said: “We’re considering all options to make sure the immigration system is delivering, and that does include looking at the issue of student dependants and low-quality degrees.”
‘Deeply damaging’
Responsibility for immigration is a reserved matter for the UK Government.
Scottish Higher Education Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “Any such proposals from the UK Government would be deeply damaging to Scotland’s world-class university sector.
“International students who come to our world-class institutions make an important and valuable contribution to the Scottish economy, our educational environment and society.
“We remain absolutely committed to our universities, our students, and free higher education for Scots domiciled students – based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay.”
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