A representative from the Korean Council for University Education said: “This MOU marks a real effort to achieve concrete actions which will enhance academic links between both countries and generate bilateral opportunities for students and staff.”

“We think the UKBA is not focused on opportunities for Scotland”

Scotland welcomed more than 42,000 non-EU students in 2009-10, and has seen strong interest from other parts of the EU thanks to its free higher education (those from other parts of the British Isles must pay however).

As the country contemplates the possibility of independence from the UK in 2014, the ruling Scottish National Party says an independent Scotland would pursue a more relaxed border policy for non-EU students.

“We think the UKBA is not focused on opportunities for Scotland…” Scottish Education Secretary Mike Russell told The PIE News in November.

“Our pursuit of independence would include the pursuit of our own migration and immigration policies, and we would want to encourage particularly in the university sector a flow of students.”

The UK saw non-EU enrolments fall by nearly a fifth last year due to tougher visa policies.

Universities Scotland represents Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions while the Korean Council for University Education represents 201 South Korean universities/institutions of higher education.