Since the UK’s departure from the European Union, Scottish universities have witnessed a significant reduction in EU student enrollments. Admissions have decreased by 81%, from 4,645 in 2016 to 900 in 2024, and applications have dropped by 67%, from 20,020 to 6,665. This decline is largely attributed to the end of free tuition for EU students in 2021, a consequence of Brexit. Deputy First Minister John Swinney highlighted the cultural and economic impact of this trend and proposed a graduate visa scheme to attract international students to Scotland.
Scottish Universities Experience Decline in EU Students Post-Brexit
