Visa system could put new students off Scotland

UNIVERSITIES will be "adversely and unduly" affected by planned changes to the student visa system, according to a Westminster committee.

The UK government plans to reduce immigration by restricting visas for foreign students.

The cross-party Scottish affairs committee launched an inquiry into whether the measures would deter "genuine, high-calibre" students from applying to study in Scotland, which would damage higher education and the wider economy.

A report based on the inquiry's findings was published yesterday. It said Scottish circumstances were not adequately taken into account when proposals, that will apply across the UK, were drawn up.

"These proposals will have a disproportionate effect in Scotland, both because of the size of the sector in Scotland and as they are primarily designed to address a problem which is largely insignificant in Scotland," it said.

"In doing so, these proposals risk compromising and diminishing not only the high standard of education provided by higher education institutions in Scotland but also threaten the valuable contribution of the international students who study at these institutions, to Scottish society."

It added that proposals could indeed deter international students from applying to study in Scotland.