An Audible Minority: Migration, Settlement and Identity Among English Graduates in Scotland

This paper is concerned with migration across national borders but within state boundaries; specifically, movement between England and Scotland. It focuses on an under-researched area—the medium-term migration behaviour and motivations of graduates—within a demographic and political context where there is a premium on the attraction of highly qualified migrants. It examines the potential influence of national identities upon migration and long-term settlement among this group. The status of ‘English’ graduate migrants as an ‘audible minority’ in Scotland is highlighted. Identification and affinity with Scotland are widespread, and can be developed through a number of routes, thus indicating a positive potential for turning ‘migrants’ into ‘settlers’ in order to meet demographic and political objectives. However, there are also significant barriers to belonging which relate to the national identities of migrants. This shows that incongruity between formal citizenship and belonging may be a significant feature not only for those who migrate between states, but also for migrants who cross national borders within the same state, and this in turn may influence their future migration decisions.