Free Tuition Guarantee For EU Students

24 March 2017, 15:15 | Updated: 24 March 2017, 15:17

European Union (EU) students enrolling in Scotland next year will have free tuition throughout their courses, the Deputy First Minister has announced.

John Swinney said the confirmation would give EU nationals "reassurance'' amid the failure of the UK Government to confirm their rights will 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.

On a visit to the University of Dundee, Mr Swinney said: "I am proud that Scotland is a destination of choice for EU students and I am delighted to give them further reassurance by confirming that support from the Scottish Government 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.

"These students deserve certainty and knowing that their free tuition is in place for the entirety of their course is important, that is why I have confirmed this free tuition.''