The Scottish Government Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, Richard Lochhead, has announced that EU students will have to pay tuition fees from 2021/22.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli issued a statement on the change to EU fee status to staff and students.

"As many of you will by now have seen, the Scottish Government today confirmed its decision, informed by legal advice, of the need to change the fee status for future EU students, as a result of the UK's departure from the European Union. In effect, this means that students from EU countries studying in Scotland from the academic year 2021/22 onwards will be treated on the same basis as other international students.

For those of us who argued in favour of remaining in the EU, this is a sad day - our European students, along with all of our international students, make a huge academic, social and cultural contribution to our university and to Scotland which we value immensely.

I would like to offer some reassurance, however, to our current students from the EU. Firstly, this decision only applies to those students who will begin their studies with us in the academic year 2021/22 - anyone who is currently studying at the University of Glasgow will not be impacted and your fees will continue to be paid by the Scottish Government for the duration of your undergraduate studies. The same is true of those students who will join us for the upcoming academic year 2020/21.

Secondly, it is important to point out that the Scottish Government's decision is one based on updated legal advice in the aftermath of the UK's departure from the European Union - in short, it is one of legal necessity rather than representing any change in outlook. Scotland remains committed to being an open, welcoming country which values the immense contribution made by those who choose to live, work and study here.

I know that the decision made by those of you from outwith Scotland to study here is based on the fact that you can be assured of a world-class education and of a warm, welcoming community. None of this will change, and we look forward to continuing to welcome students from Europe and across the world to Glasgow in the coming years."

 

First published: 10 July 2020

<< 17 July 2020


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