Swinney demands student immigration guarantee

The Deputy First Minister has called on the UK Government to guarantee the right of EU students to remain in the UK after Brexit, as he announced those starting at Scottish universities next year will receive free tuition and other support for the duration of their course.

Following the uncertainty caused by the EU referendum, John Swinney has moved to reassure current applicants, confirming the guarantee already in place for EU students enrolling this year would be extended to those beginning their studies in 2017-18.

Mr Swinney said:

“I am proud that Scotland is a destination of choice for EU students. Therefore I am pleased 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 2017-18 academic year.

“However, the continued refusal by the UK Government to give assurances that the immigration status and rights of EU nationals living in Scotland will not change after Brexit is deeply concerning.

“EU students will rightly have concerns about any change in their status half way through a course. These students deserve certainty. They deserve to be guaranteed their right to stay.”