Anton Muscatellis of the University of Glasgow clarified that international students are often misunderstood in this context, since a majority of them pursue postgraduate studies. A significantly smaller percentage enroll in undergraduate programs.
Anton Muscatellis of the University of Glasgow clarified that international students are often misunderstood in this context, since a majority of them pursue postgraduate studies. A significantly smaller percentage enroll in undergraduate programs.
The University of Glasgow denied allegations that the institution relies heavily on international students and that these students have preferential access to clearing courses over domestic students.
In a recent interview on BBC Scotland’s “The Sunday Show,” Anton Muscatelli, principal of the University of Glasgow, refuted claims made in a report by the Scottish newspaper, The Herald, asserting that international students play a crucial role in ensuring the financial sustainability of universities, the Erudera reported.
Muscatelli clarified that international students are often misunderstood in this context, since a majority of them pursue postgraduate studies. A significantly smaller percentage enroll in undergraduate programs.
According to The Herald’s report, prospective international students at the University of Glasgow were purportedly able to apply for 84 clearing courses, while their British counterparts had access to only seven.
Muscatelli emphasized that international students who typically pay higher tuition fees than domestic students, significantly contribute to the financial stability of universities.
He noted that the funding for education in England and Scotland falls short of covering the actual cost, making international student fees a crucial component.
Citing a recent report by Professor Sarah Armstrong from the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, there had been a substantial increase in the number of international students admitted to the University of Glasgow between 2019 and 2022.
The report stated that universities in Scotland are reaping significant financial gains from international students’ fees.
In 2021 and 2022 alone, the institutions collectively received £1.7 billion ($2.15 billion), with the University of Edinburgh leading the way at £608 million ($771.62 million) and the University of Glasgow close behind at £482 million ($611.71 million).
These findings indicate that the two universities accounted for 65 percent of all tuition fees collected from international students across Scotland.
In a BBC report, the University of Glasgow strongly refuted the assertions, categorically labeling these claims as “inherently false” and “intentionally deceptive.”
The university argued that the surge in student applications and offer acceptances observed at top-ranking universities globally was not specific to Glasgow but a broader trend in the sector.
In 2022, Scotland hosted a total of 82,440 international students in its higher education institutions, with the University of Edinburgh enrolling the largest contingent of 18,050 students, closely trailed by the University of Glasgow with 17,390 students.
Breaking down the international student population, 65,300 were non-EU students, and 17,140 were from the EU. Among non-EU countries, China and India emerged as the leading sources of international students in Scotland, contributing 20,830 and 10,165 students, respectively. The US claimed the third position, sending a significant number of students to Scottish universities.
