SCOTTISH universities will use their world class reputation to secure a greater international foothold in the wake of Brexit.

Principals will pursue a range of options including the possibility of building campuses in European countries for the first time and greater use of online courses.

Universities will also seek to forge new partnerships with countries such as Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada.

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Five Scottish universities are currently ranked as amongst the best in the world - more per head of population than almost any other nation.

However, the sector is also adamant that preserving the current influence they have over how research money is spent within the EU is just as vital as creating new links.

The European research area is responsible for around one third of the world's research and, while it is likely the UK could still pay to be a part of it, there is no guarantee on the influence they would have over where the money is spent.

Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, which represents principals, said: "Collaboration will always matter to higher education across Europe, but also the wider world, but Brexit increases its importance.

"We are actively considering a range of opportunities to build new and stronger partnerships in teaching, research and innovation across the world."

Mr Sim said 12 of Scotland’s universities had just returned from a trip to Malaysia to promote the distinctive qualities of a Scottish higher education and there were other priorities in Brazil, China, Columbia and Mexico.

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Another option for further collaboration is Connected Scotland, a partnership of universities, enterprise agencies, the Scottish Funding Council, British Council Scotland and the Royal Society of Edinburgh set up in 2014.

The initiative's aim is to make Scotland the destination of choice for students and as a place for research and innovation. Although it pre-dates Brexit, it is expected to become more important after the UK leaves the EU.

Mr Sim added: "More delivery of education overseas is an option open to Scotland in Europe as well as internationally and we are also exploring other global opportunities which encourage collaboration."

Vonnie Sandlan, president of student body NUS Scotland, welcomed the moves, but stressed the importance of ensuring students at Scottish campuses overseas had the same rights as home students.

She said: "Scotland’s universities are world-leading in both their teaching and research and there is clearly an opportunity for them to take that excellence and quality and have its impact felt right across the world.

"However, that comes with firm responsibilities to the staff and students on those new campuses and to ensure the same level of quality, experience and representation as students at home campuses, and also to the wider communities those universities are operating in."

Academic unions emphasised the importance of a bespoke deal for Scotland which preserved the benefits of the current European research area.

The Westminster Government has already said a special deal could be struck for the finance sector and the car industry and higher education is equally crucial to the UK's economy.

Mary Senior, UCU Scotland Official, said: “Staff and students from across the globe greatly enrich the Scottish higher education system, so any Brexit settlement must ensure universities continue to benefit from the brightest and best.

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"Scottish universities are successful in securing vital research funding from EU initiatives and we want to continue to be able to pursue crucial European research funds to benefit our institutions, but it’s about more than just money."

Shirley-Anne Sommerville, Scotland's minister for higher education, warned the effects of Brexit could be severe. She said it was essential the UK Government had meaningful dialogue with devolved administrations on the future of universities.

She added: "We are proud Scotland is a destination of choice for students and staff from overseas and are totally committed to ensuring this remains the case as we explore every avenue to protect our relationship with the EU."

The European Commission research programme Horizon 2020 had allocated almost £180 million of funding in Scotland by July 2016, but soon after the referendum result anecdotal evidence emerged that UK academics were being removed from funding bids or being asked to step down from the lead role in such bids.

The right of free movement of labour across EU countries has also attracted talented students and researchers to study and work in Scotland and they now account for 15 per cent of academic staff.