MSPS must be allowed to examine the research behind Brexit plans for Scotland’s universities, a key Scottish Parliament committee has said in a letter to the Home Secretary.
The committee called for “fresh consideration” of the proposals it says could devastate the country’s higher education sector, based on input from Universities Scotland.
Current proposals from Westminster could see a three-year time limit placed on EU students coming to study in the UK under in a No-Deal scenario, despite the fact that degree courses in Scotland commonly last four years or longer.
It is feared that this could see Scotland cut off by prospective students from EU nations.
The cross-party Education and Skills Committee urged Priti Patel to consider the problems that could be created for world-class institutions such as Dundee’s Abertay University, where video games courses are considered the best in Europe.
Glasgow University principal Sir Anton Muscatelli called the move “crass” and the Russell Group of leading research universities, which he chairs, called it a “kick in the teeth”.
In a newly released letter to the Home Secretary, committee convener Clare Adamson writes: “I appreciate that you are new in post and therefore can give fresh consideration to this policy proposal.“The committee seeks your perspective on the disproportionate negative impact that this policy would have on Scottish higher education institutions and the scope to change policy direction.
“Should the UK Government persevere with this policy, the committee requests a full update on the work that has been undertaken since this proposal was first published to ensure the concerns set out above are factored into the final form of the policy.”
In April, Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead confirmed that students from EU nations set to take up places at Scottish universities in 2020 will retain their entitlement to free tuition.
At the time, Lochhead said he hoped the announcement would “provide the clarity that our academic institutions need”. But the committee said the UK Government’s proposed European Temporary Leave to Remain (ETLtR) will have “very significant consequences for Scottish higher education institutions”, forcing students to apply for a visa midway through their learning at a cost of £475.
This, the committee says, will leave them subject to a “lengthy and burdensome process” which requires an application with immigration officials and carries an eight-week decision time.
Adamson said: “Students will have to navigate the complex visa system right at a time when they will rightly be focusing on their studies and preparing for their final year.”
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