Universities across Scotland are coming under pressure to scrap “unjustifiable” charges for students to graduate.

Student body NUS Scotland has written to all university and college principals calling on them to end the fee for graduation.

A survey NUS Scotland found students could have to fork out as much as £225 for graduation fees and other charges such as the cost of gown hire and the need to repay library fines.

Last year, Glasgow University scrapped the charges and both Strathclyde and Aberdeen universities took action earlier this month. However, Scotland’s remaining universities still charge fees.

NUS Scotland has now published an open letter to all college and university principals to ensure every student has the right to a free graduation.

Liam McCabe, president of NUS Scotland, said: “Following our findings that Scotland’s students could be out of pocket by up to £225 for attending their graduation ceremony, we are campaigning to ensure every student is free to graduate.

“Our open letter to all of Scotland’s college and university principles encourages them to engage with our campaign and scrap these charges.

“We have already seen excellent, progressive work from some institutions across the country to abolish these charges and we want to see the rest doing the same.”

Commenting on the decision by Strathclyde University to scrap its £35 graduation fees last week, Professor Sara Carter, an associate principal with the university, said officials had become aware of concerns over the charges.

She said: “I am delighted the university has agreed to remove both the £20 fee to graduate in absentia and the £35 ceremony attendance fee with immediate effect, ensuring that students graduating in summer 2019 will be able to benefit.”

Professor George Boyne, principal of Aberdeen University, said the move by his institution to scrap the charges came after “careful consideration” of persuasive lobbying.

Students had previously had to pay an administration fee of £45 to graduate in person, and £10 if they did not attend the ceremony.

Student representative Donna Connelly said: “Graduation is one of the best experiences of a student’s time and fees can be an unnecessary barrier to celebrating their achievements with their family and friends.”