Scotland at NAFSA 2025: Strengthening Global Connections and Showcasing Our Education Excellence
27-30 May 2025, San Diego, USA
Team Scotland stand
This May, Connected Scotland proudly joined over 8,000 higher education professionals in San Diego, California, for the NAFSA 2025 Annual Conference & Expo—the world’s largest gathering focused on international education and student mobility. Alongside representatives from eleven Scottish universities, our delegation participated in this globally significant event to engage with the audience to elevate Scotland’s reputation as a top destination for international students, help universities to build partnerships, and share best practices.
Why NAFSA Matters
NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the cornerstone event for global education collaboration. Held annually, it draws educators, administrators, government officials, and recruiters from more than 100 countries. Some institutions prioritise this event over others like it due to its expansive reach, high-impact networking opportunities, and focus on both academic and commercial collaboration.
For Scotland, NAFSA is a strategic platform to:
Promote our high-quality education system and inclusive society
Strengthen academic and recruitment partnerships
Position our universities as destinations where employability, diversity, and safety are integral to the student experience
A Strong Scottish Delegation
Scotland’s presence at NAFSA 2025 was marked by strong representation from across the sector. The following institutions were in attendance, demonstrating the depth and breadth of Scottish higher education:
Edinburgh Napier University, Glasgow School of Art, Heriot-Watt University, Queen Margaret University, University of Aberdeen, University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of St Andrews, University of Stirling, University of Strathclyde, and University of the West of Scotland.
Their participation, at a joint Study in Scotland stand, yet again representing a Team Scotland approach, highlighted the collaborative spirit of Scottish higher education and the shared ambition to engage meaningfully with partners around the world. Brand Scotland provided new Come to Study. Find Scotland branding for the stand, as well as postcards and a newly refreshed Study in Scotland brochure.
A Warm Welcome from Scotland: Scottish Reception
One of the highlights of Scotland’s presence this year was the Study in Scotland Reception, held on 28 May at San Diego’s House of Blues. Sponsored by Connected Scotland, Scottish Universities, and Scottish Government in Washington, the reception brought together around 200 guests, including partners, scholarship bodies, government representatives, and alumni from across the U.S. and beyond.
This dynamic evening showcased the very best of Scottish higher education in an informal, engaging setting, including lively ceilidh dancing. Guests had the opportunity to connect with university leaders and hear from key speakers: Colin Gray, Head of the Scottish Government USA, and Stuart Easter, Director of Student Recruitment and International at Edinburgh Napier University. Both highlighted the excellence of Scotland’s higher education system and how Scotland is a welcoming, safe, and inclusive country—an outstanding destination not only to study, but also to live, work, and do business.
A central theme of the evening was the collaborative spirit that defines Scottish higher education—where partnering with one Scottish university often means joining a wider, interconnected academic "family." This sense of unity extends to the Scottish Government in Washington, whose support was instrumental to the event’s success. Their shared vision with Connected Scotland and Scottish universities is clear: to strengthen and expand partnerships between Scotland and U.S.-based institutions, fostering deeper collaboration and long-term engagement.
Team Scotland at the Scottish reception
Representing the UK and Scotland at the Study UK Breakfast
Scotland also featured prominently at the Study UK Breakfast Reception on 26 May, where we presented a dedicated 10-minute spotlight on what makes Scotland a standout destination for U.S. students. As part of a UK-wide effort, this was an invaluable chance to articulate Scotland’s distinct offer: world-leading education, globally impactful innovation, welcoming communities, and career opportunities.
Looking Ahead
Scotland’s showing at NAFSA 2025 has laid important groundwork for deepening existing relationships and forging new ones. But more importantly, it reminded us of the immense value of collaboration—between institutions, across borders, and with our government partners.
As we look to the future, Connected Scotland remains committed to ensuring that our education sector continues to shine on the global stage, and that Scotland is firmly recognised as a destination of choice for international students and partners alike. Let’s meet again in Orlando in 2026, Team Scotland!
