EU citizens who study a Further or Higher education course in Scotland in the 2020/21 academic year will be charged the same tuition fees and will get the same fee support as Scottish students for the entirety of their courses.
This will mean that the vast majority of EU students will be guaranteed free tuition.
Having previously committed to continuing this funding for 2019/20, the Scottish Government has confirmed on April, 19th that it will continue to financially support eligible EU students starting their studies in 2020/21.
This offer of tuition fee support will stand even if current legal obligations to EU students cease to apply when the UK exits the EU - and this announcement makes Scotland the first nation in the UK to offer this commitment.
Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said:
“Scotland is an open and welcoming country with world-leading further and higher education institutions and we value the contribution that EU nationals make to our campuses. I am pleased to be able to confirm that we will continue to fund EU citizens who want to come here to study and I would encourage anyone thinking about their education to consider coming to Scotland. Brexit remains the greatest threat facing our colleges and universities and I hope that, in a time of uncertainty, this announcement will provide the clarity that our academic institutions need to plan for the 2020/21 academic year.”
Professor Andrea Nolan, Convener of Universities Scotland and Principal of Edinburgh Napier University, said:
“It is really positive that the Scottish Government has made this commitment now as it provides much-needed certainty for potential students and for institutions. Brexit uncertainty continues to loom large over universities so the fact that the Scottish Government has acted decisively in the midst of that speaks volumes about Scotland’s values and our desire to remain open and welcoming to the rest of the world.”
Shona Struthers, Chief Executive of Colleges Scotland, said:
“It is a very welcome development that the Scottish Government has extended this financial assurance. There were approximately 16,000 non-UK EU nationals enrolled in Scottish colleges in 2016-17 and, as a sector, we recognise and value the significant contribution they make to our institutions and society, so we are determined to do all we can to continue attracting those students to colleges in a post-Brexit landscape.”
Liam McCabe, NUS Scotland President, said:
“In the face of ongoing Brexit uncertainty, today’s announcement is welcome, providing much needed clarity to EU students. International students – whether from the EU or elsewhere – make huge social, cultural and economic contributions to their communities, our universities and colleges, and to Scotland as a whole. It’s right that the Scottish Government takes steps to ensure Scotland remains an attractive, welcoming place to study with opportunities for students across the world.”
Martin Fairbairn, Chief Operating Officer at the Scottish Funding Council, said:
“Today’s announcement is very welcome because it helps safeguard the diversity that has helped create Scotland’s international reputation for learning, research and innovation. And it reduces at least some of the uncertainty for potential students, colleges and universities that is a result of Brexit.”
Non-UK students from the EU will be eligible for tuition fee support. Of those, any student who is regarded as a migrant worker or who has been resident in the UK for three years or longer, will also be entitled to living cost support.
Under EU law, the Scottish Government is required to ensure that EU citizens are charged the same tuition fees and provided with equal tuition fee support as Scottish-domiciled students. It remains unclear whether the EU obligations in relation to student finance will cease to apply when the UK exits the EU.
Table of Contents
The HED magazine for applicants available in Arabic and Chinese
The fifth issue of the quarterly HED magazine has been published
Подведены итоги конкурса «HED-Scholarship»
International students in Russia can start studying without restrictions
The QS expert highly appreciates Valery Falkov's achievements as Rector of Tyumen State University
North-Eastern Federal University promotes Russian language and culture in China
Scholarships to study in Russia in 2020-2021
KazNU expands partnership with leading universities of Saudi Arabia
Uzbekistan and Japan will move to a new level of scientific cooperation
EU allocates 8 million euros to support education in Kyrgyzstan
RUDN University has created an integrated space for digital cooperation
Russia and China have mapped out joint plans in the field of science and higher education
China promotes international education in space science and technology
TPU International Week 2019 held in Tomsk
Webinar schedule: Internationalization of higher education
Study shows which universities lead the way in promotion of summer schools
The National Aggregate Ranking of Russian Universities
The Accreditation in Education Journal and the Public Fund Edinstvo have become partners
Belarus and Nigeria are cooperating in the field of education
Russian and Chinese universities have agreed to establish the International Transport Academy
Summer schools attract international applicants to Russian universities
Russian and German experts discussed the issues of university and academic science
The 15th FICCI Higher Education Summit in India
Russia to create 50 Pre-University Training Centers abroad by 2024
More than 30 Russian Universities in the THE ranking
Russia will simplify work rights for international students
The First Russia-UK University Rectors Forum
Webinar 'How understanding neuroscience can help you transform your team and your organization'
RUDN and Rosatom will train staff for African projects
Is Africa the future for recruiting international students?
Danish Government Scholarships under the Cultural Agreements
Over 7,000 foreign students will study IT at Russian universities
European Universities Initiative – Chances and challenges
Belgian students demand free higher education
Uganda and Russia signed a Memorandum of cooperation in higher education
The 10th ENQA General Assembly took place in Yerevan
Call for participation – Webinars under the aegis of APQN devoted to Quality Assurance
Regional universities move up in QS University Rankings: Emerging Europe & Central Asia
New Model of State Control (Supervision) in Education
HED Webinar under the aegis of APQN took place on October 10, 2019
Joint Master's programs to be launched by RANEPA and University of London