STUDENTS from the European Union enrolling in Scotland next year will have free tuition throughout their courses, the Deputy First Minister has announced.
Education Secretary John Swinney said the confirmation would give EU nationals “reassurance” amid the failure of the UK Government to confirm rights would continue after Brexit.
The free tuition guarantee is already in place for eligible EU students enrolling this year and has now been extended for those enrolling in 2018/19.
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On a visit to Dundee University, Mr Swinney said: “I am proud Scotland is a destination of choice for EU students and I am delighted to give them further reassurance by confirming that support for tuition-free studies will continue for those commencing courses here in the 2018/19 academic year.
“However, the continued refusal by the UK Government to give assurances to EU nationals living in Scotland that their rights will remain in place, ahead of the formal Brexit procedures beginning next week, is deeply concerning.
“EU students will rightly have concerns about any change in their status halfway through a course.”
The announcement was welcomed by Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, which represents principals, who described it as “welcoming and assuring”.
He said: “Since Brexit, we have continually highlighted many of the issues that will impact on higher education and have called for clarity.
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“EU students are of huge importance to Scotland and its universities educationally, culturally, economically and as a core part of many important courses.
“It’s right the Scottish Government have given clarity for students who will be thinking about choosing Scotland to learn, study and contribute.”
President of student body NUS Scotland Vonnie Sandlan said the statement would come as a “great relief” to the tens of thousands of EU students currently studying, or hoping to study, in Scotland.
She said: “This provides assurances about not only their student status, but also the positive way they’re viewed in Scotland and a recognition of the great contributions they make and the fact we don’t want to see a decline in EU students choosing Scotland as a place to study or call home.
“Students from outside the UK – be that within the EU, or beyond it – bring immense cultural, economic, and educational benefits to our universities and colleges, as well as wider Scottish society.”
Opposition politicians from the Scottish Labour and Scottish Conservative parties also backed Mr Swinney’s statement.
Liz Smith, the Scottish Conservative’s education spokeswoman, said: “Students and staff from the EU make a very significant contribution to our higher and further education institutions.
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“While everyone recognises the complexities of the Brexit negotiations, I hope the UK Government will soon be in a position to give similar guarantees.”
Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray added: “John Swinney was caught out last year holding back an announcement on EU students for a clap line at SNP conference.
“That left universities trying to recruit students without being able to tell them whether their fees would be paid or not, so it’s welcome that he has done the right thing in this case.
“EU students make a valuable contribution to Scotland’s education system, economy and cultural life.”
It affects nationals of other EU countries, including the Republic of Ireland, who plan to study for the whole of their degree at a Scottish university – not exchange students who come to Scotland for a few months on courses.
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