THE SNP has made a fresh call to safeguard the European Union’s student exchange programme after figures showed two Scottish universities were the scheme’s top beneficiaries in the UK.

Brexit has put the UK’s participation in the 30-year-old Erasmus programme in doubt, and Glasgow Cathcart MSP James Dornan has called for it to be protected so that students and universities can continue to benefit.

Official figures show 462 Erasmus students attended the University of Edinburgh in 2014, and a further 460 went to the University of Glasgow, with the University of Sheffield third on 455.

Dornan – who is convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee – said the UK Government should state its commitment to retaining the programme, amid uncertainty about its future as the process of British withdrawal from the EU gets under way.

He said: “The Erasmus programme has been hugely beneficial to our universities and students over the years, and it is absolutely vital that the UK Government commits to protecting it following the Brexit vote.

“Two of our great universities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, are clear beneficiaries of this programme, being the most popular destinations in the UK for European students using the programme in 2014 – allowing them to enhance their reputations as international centres for learning.

“It is critically important that the UK Government makes a commitment to protect this scheme – which enables Scotland’s universities to be accessed by students from across the continent, showcasing the very best of Scotland and giving them a desire to return and contribute to our economy in future as tourists and residents.

“Our students also benefit massively from the opportunity to take a year abroad in Europe, giving them the chance to experience new cultures and ways of learning, whilst becoming more open to different ways of life. The UK Government must make it clear that the Erasmus programme will be protected – so that our universities and our students can continue to benefit and participate in the fantastic scheme.”

In response Jo Johnson, the UK Universities and Science Minister, said: “We understand that there will be questions about how the referendum result affects higher education and research. Many of these questions will need to be considered as part of wider discussion about the UK’s future relationship with the EU, but where we can provide further information we will do so. The UK remains a member of the EU, and we continue to meet our obligations and receive relevant funding.”

Meanwhile, Holyrood’s European Committee will this week hold a rare recess meeting to take evidence on Brexit’s impact on Scotland’s higher education, finance and food and drink sectors.

The session follows a visit by the committee to Brussels.

MSPs are to take evidence from business leaders and economists about the impact of the Brexit vote on Scotland.

Universities Scotland, Virgin Money, the Scotch Whisky Association and the Scottish Trades Union Congress will be among those taking part in the meeting on Thursday.

Committee members travelled to Brussels on a fact-finding trip earlier in July.

Convener Joan McAlpine said the formal evidence session on Thursday would seek to establish “what leaving the EU means to people in Scotland”.

She said: “We know already from speaking to the British Chamber of Commerce in Brussels that access to the single market is of paramount importance to most companies.

“We experienced a lot of goodwill and understanding of Scotland’s situation when we visited Brussels. No country has left the EU before and the process for leaving is far from straightforward, so it’s important that our committee provides a forum for people in Scotland to get involved in this difficult process.”

Other witnesses include Edinburgh Airport, Scottish Enterprise, the Federation of Small Businesses and representatives from the National Farmers Union and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation.