“A place where you’ll truly belong”: Wales welcomes international students

Wales’s minister for further and higher education, Vikki Howells, recorded a video message in honour of the awareness day, inviting international students to choose Wales for their studies and assuring them that they will receive a warm welcome if they do.

“Wales offers more than just a study destination – it’s a place where you’ll truly belong,” she told potential students. “Our universities and colleges combine world-class academic excellence with cutting-edge facilities and research opportunities that prepare you for success in today’s global economy.”

Howells paid particular mind to Wales’s blend of picturesque scenery, academic excellence and friendly local communities in her video address. She also highlighted the crucial tole that international students play in enriching campus life at Welsh universities.

“Your presence helps create the vibrant atmosphere that makes Welsh universities and colleges such exciting places to learn and grow,” she said.

Wales is increasingly positioning itself as a regional hub for international education as interest grows in particular among US and Indian students.

Your presence helps create the vibrant atmosphere that makes Welsh universities and colleges such exciting places to learn and grow
_{^{Vikki Howells, member of the Senedd}}

Last month, Global Wales – a program promoting Welsh education abroad – announced a £72,000 cash injection for institutions to strengthen their ties with universities in the Indian state of Karnataka.

And Welsh education secretary Lynne Neagle has ruled out the possibility of Wales adopting a levy on international student fees across higher education – a controversial policy first set out in the immigration white paper back in the spring.

According to the peak body Universities Wales, international awareness of Wales has more than doubled over three years, with HESA data showing the country experiencing the biggest surge in student numbers among UK countries between 2020/21 and 2023/24

HESA data shows that Wales was home to 27,795 international students in the 2023/24 academic year. The University of South Wales led the charge by hosting 6,635 international students, followed by Cardiff University with 6,480 and Swansea University with 4,780.

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