Scotland launches scholarship programme to repair links with Europe

Scotland has launched a scholarship programme to repair post-Brexit links with Europe.

Hundreds of EU students will be supported to study in Scotland through a new £2.25 million scholarship programme.

The Saltire Scholarship scheme has been designed to help ease the negative impact of Brexit on student numbers. The latest data from UCAS shows a 41 per cent decrease in the number of EU students applying to study at Scottish universities this academic year.

The funding has been allocated to institutions through the Scottish Funding Council and students starting their studies this autumn or in January can apply for support.

Scholarships will be considered by universities for Masters level post-graduate study and colleges will consider applications for Higher National level, Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma.

Minister for Higher and Further Education Jamie Hepburn said: “EU students make an absolutely vital contribution to our economy, educational environment and society as a whole.

“Our new scholarship programme will help strengthen and repair our links with the EU and sends a clear message that Scotland is open for business to European students.

“In the last year we have sadly seen a dramatic reduction in applications from EU students looking to study here, we are determined to do all we can to reverse the damage caused by Brexit and promote Scotland’s education offer globally,” he added.

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