Go your own way

Go your own way

The Scots are going rogue! It seems an appropriate time to evoke Fleetwood Mac’s epic track – Go your own way, in the hope that as the lyrics of the song indicate “I'd give you my world, Open up, Everything's waiting for you,” by ‘you’ the Scottish government means international students!

Scottish universities are perhaps in an even more precarious financial position than the rest of the UK because unlike the rest of the UK, Scottish-domiciled students do not pay tuition fees for undergraduate degrees at Scottish universities. However, students from other parts of the UK must pay tuition fees, which can range from £9,250 per year. While the Scottish Government provides block funding to universities, financial pressures have still grown due to rising costs, inflation, and a cap on the number of funded places for Scottish students. Universities therefore often rely on international student fees, which are significantly higher, to subsidize funding shortfalls.

While Scotland's funding model aims to ensure free access to higher education, universities argue that it limits their ability to compete globally and invest in research and infrastructure. Ongoing debates question the long-term financial sustainability of the system. This is where extending the post-study work offer becomes crucial— by differentiating its offer from the rest of the UK, Scotland could gain a significant competitive advantage in international student recruitment.

Scotland is pushing for greater control over post-study work rights for international graduates, setting the stage for a major political battle with the UK Government. First Minister John Swinney has proposed a Scottish Graduate Visa, which would allow international students graduating from Scottish universities to stay and work in Scotland for up to five years—two years longer than the current UK-wide Graduate Route permits.

The Scottish Government argues that this visa would help retain skilled talent, boost Scotland’s economy, and make the country a more attractive study destination. However, there’s a major roadblock: Westminster controls UK immigration policy, meaning Scotland needs approval from the UK Government to introduce the plan. And that approval doesn’t seem likely.

A UK Government spokesperson has already dismissed the idea, stating that there are “no plans” for a separate Scottish visa, as the UK-wide Graduate Route already provides post-study work opportunities for international students.

But Scotland isn’t backing down. The proposal has garnered support from universities, business leaders, and migration experts who argue that Scotland’s economic and demographic needs warrant a tailored approach. So, is this about what’s best for Scotland’s economy, or is it truly about who gets to control immigration policy?

The idea of a Scotland-specific post-study work visa isn’t new. Between 2005 and 2008, Scotland operated the Fresh Talent Working in Scotland Scheme, which allowed international graduates to stay in the country for two years after graduation without needing employer sponsorship. The program was seen as a success, helping Scotland attract international students, address skills shortages, and encourage graduates to stay in Scotland rather than moving elsewhere in the UK.

However, in 2008, the UK Government scrapped the scheme and replaced it with a single, uniform post-study work route across the entire UK. Now, Scotland is asking for something similar—but with a longer stay period and more direct ties to Scotland’s economy.

Under Swinney’s plan, the Scottish Graduate Visa would be linked to a Scottish tax code, ensuring that recipients live and work in Scotland rather than moving to other parts of the UK. This requirement is meant to address Westminster’s concerns about regional migration policies, ensuring that Scotland’s investment in international graduates benefits Scotland itself.

Scotland’s case for a longer post-study work visa is based on its specific economic and demographic challenges. The country is facing a declining population, with projections showing a decrease over the next two generations, which could lead to labor shortages and economic stagnation. Additionally, key industries, including healthcare, technology, and engineering, are struggling to find enough skilled workers.

International students already contribute £4.75 billion a year to Scotland’s economy, and keeping more of them in the country after graduation would provide long-term economic benefits. Universities Scotland convener Paul Grice has emphasized that inward migration will be essential to Scotland’s future, arguing that universities can play a crucial role in attracting and retaining highly skilled people.

Scotland points to other countries like Canada and Australia, which have embraced regional immigration policies to address local labor shortages and demographic needs. Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces to set their own migration policies based on local economic demands, while Australia’s regional visa system encourages skilled workers to settle in specific areas. Scotland argues that it should be able to do the same.

Despite Scotland’s economic reasoning, the UK Government has so far rejected the proposal outright. Granting Scotland control over its own visa policy could set a political precedent that Westminster may not want to entertain. If Scotland is allowed to create a separate post-study work route, what stops Wales or Northern Ireland from asking for the same? This could lead to a fragmented immigration system, where different parts of the UK have different rules. Westminster appears to prefer a one-size-fits-all approach to avoid these complications.

Additionally, the UK Government has been tightening immigration policies, not loosening them. In a speech on migration: 28 November 2024, Keir Starmer said “Nearly one million people came to Britain in the year ending June 2023… That is four times the migration levels compared to 2019. We will publish a White Paper imminently, which will outline a plan to reduce immigration.”

This following the previous Conservative government revoking dependents visas for postgraduate taught students, increasing visa and health surcharges and making it more difficult for international students to be eligible for skilled worker visas by increasing the salary threshold. Allowing Scotland to extend work rights while the rest of the UK faces tighter restrictions would be politically challenging.

For prospective international students, post-study work opportunities are a major factor in deciding where to study. A five-year Scottish Graduate Visa would provide more time to find a job, giving graduates better job prospects and career stability. It would also allow for stronger integration, helping graduates settle, contribute to their communities, and establish roots. Additionally, it would reduce stress over visa deadlines, removing the pressure to secure employer sponsorship within just two years. Compared to the UK’s current two-year Graduate Route, a five-year post-study work visa would give Scotland a major competitive edge in attracting international students.

Despite Scotland’s strong economic argument, the UK Government’s resistance remains firm. It is unlikely that Scotland will be “going its own way” when it comes to post-study work. The idea of regional migration policies is controversial, and Westminster is unlikely to grant Scotland special treatment without significant political pressure. However, the conversation isn’t over. The proposal has gained support from universities, business leaders, and migration experts, and it has highlighted the growing need for flexible immigration policies in different parts of the UK. Even if the Scottish Graduate Visa doesn’t happen immediately, the debate is likely to continue, raising broader questions about whether Scotland should have greater control over its own immigration policies. Would a five-year Scottish Graduate Visa make Scotland a more attractive study destination, or would it just perpetuate the confusion between education and work, as we highlighted in a recent University World News article. Students have been sold a dream by agents and universities, but how close is it to reality?