Scotland rejects UK HE levy to keep doors open to global talent
Ben Macpherson, Scotland’s minister for higher and further education, has confirmed that Scotland is set to reject the UK government’s incoming levy on international student fees for higher education institutions.
With the UK government setting out plans for a £925 charge per international student from 2028 for England’s higher education providers, Scotland – and previously Wales – have chosen not to apply a similar levy to their own institutions.
“We have taken that decision to help international students and graduates see Scotland as an even more attractive place to come and study,” said Macpherson, speaking at the 2026 Scottish Universities International Group (SUIG) conference
“The Scottish government is absolutely committed to enhancing our global reputation as a welcoming and inclusive country, including for those who are coming to study.”
One way of doing so is by setting up Scotland’s migration service, providing information and advice for international students considering staying in Scotland post-graduation, which Macpherson said will help “navigate some of those complex aspects of the immigration system, and to do that in a devolved context”.
Conversations at the Glasgow conference focused on maintaining Scotland’s position as a welcoming, open destination for international students seeking high-quality education.
But this conversation was paired with the “reality” that particular domestic immigration policies are causing difficulty, explained Macpherson.
“We can’t underestimate the impact that the UK government’s immigration policies are having on our ability to remain competitive. It is difficult, the ban on dependants and the reduction to the graduate visa route… these changes are all making it more difficult for us to attract and importantly, retain international students.”
Macpherson assured the Glasgow audience that Scottish government are “firmly” relaying concerns to UK government, including on the topic of visa delays impacting enrolments.
Last week, The PIE News reported that the UK Home Office had offered to extend the latest date of acceptance for any students still awaiting a visa decision for the January intake as delays extend into February. The Home Office wrote to UK universities to explain that “mandatory checks” were the cause of “unavoidable delays” for students hoping to enrol.
“We are absolutely alert to the current issues regarding visa delays and the Scottish government will do what it can to make constructive impact and to relay to UK government our strong reservations about the approach taken and the practical and financial consequences that it is having already,” said Macpherson.
Despite increasing efforts to promote Scotland’s offering on the world stage, Mike Bates, SUIG chair, explained that “in the current climate, growth for Scotland is less about increasing volume and more about building resilience and strategic reach”.
“That means diversifying markets to avoid over‑reliance on any single region, strengthening partnerships that create sustainable recruitment pipelines, and expanding transnational education. These models allow Scotland to extend its global footprint without depending solely on physical mobility,” Bates, who is also head of student recruitment at Heriot-Watt University, told The PIE.
Growth is also becoming more nuanced and institution‑specific. Some universities will deepen their already strong connections with the US, while others will focus on emerging markets or partnership‑led pathways
Mike Bates, SUIG
“Growth is also becoming more nuanced and institution‑specific. Some universities will deepen their already strong connections with the US, while others will focus on emerging markets or partnership‑led pathways. Scotland’s return to the Erasmus scheme in 2027 will further widen mobility opportunities and reinforce our position as an outward‑looking, globally connected sector.”
According to Bates, growth is also increasingly being defined by quality and long-term impact: “That includes attracting students whose ambitions align with Scotland’s academic and industry strengths, and strengthening employability links with international employers so graduates can build global careers.”
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