Scotland offers warm welcome

Comfortable rooms and friendly academics are as important as teaching quality in attracting overseas students, according to Scotland's minister for enterprise and lifelong learning, writes Olga Wojtas.

Speaking in Edinburgh at the annual conference of Ukcosa, the council for international student affairs, Henry McLeish said broadening the appeal of UKhigher education to more foreign students would generate long-term benefits for the Scottish economy. He said Scottish institutions should capitalise on the government's three-year strategy to attract more foreign students.

"At a UK level, steps are being taken to improve the visa service," Mr McLeish said. "We are also making it easier to work in Britain by removing red tape to part-time and full-time employment."

He said one way to encourage students to come to Scotland was to ensure a warm welcome and an education that exceeded their expectations.