A "MASS exodus" from Scotland's university campuses is not expected following new guidance for students, the Higher Education Minister has said.

Richard Lochhead said students could visit home for "wellbeing reasons", such as difficulties with their mental health.

They can also change their permanent residence if they are unhappy with student halls, he said.

New guidance on visiting home for students was published on Sunday evening, setting out what could be considered a "reasonable excuse" for short stays at family homes.

It follows a number of Covid-19 outbreaks at student halls of residence across Scotland.

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Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio programme, Lochhead said: "I know many students are struggling at the moment, but also many students accept that they want to be at university.

"It is challenging at the moment, especially if they are self-isolating, but they are enjoying the opportunity of making new connections, of at least meeting their tutors now and again.

"So I don't expect, you know, a mass exodus from Scotland's campuses, but the opportunity's there for those who are struggling."

He said that there had been reports some students had already returned home, adding that it was "really important" that those who were self-isolating at university must do so at home as well.

Asked if students would lose their rent money if they changed their permanent households, he said: "We've said to universities we want them to be very sympathetic towards students who are struggling at university and do return home and change their main household."

Legislation passed at Holyrood also gives students the right to resign their leases for Covid-related reasons, he said.

A national lockdown during the October holidays was "not our plan just now", he added.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross also spoke on Good Morning Scotland, saying further clarity was needed for students.

Ross said: "This is something that should not have come as a surprise, we saw in the United States of America when students went back to universities and colleges there was a spike in cases on campus.

"I really think this guidance should have been absolutely crystal clear before these young people left home and certainly before they got to university and were in many cases locked up in halls of horror."

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Yesterday, updated guidance from the Scottish Government sets out what those who are studying higher education can do if they wish to change household.

Students have been asked to follow self-isolating rules and not use public transport if they decide to permanently return to another home, while still saying it is an "offence" to undertake short stays without a "reasonable" excuse.

The Higher Education Minister said: "We would encourage students to remain living in their current accommodation where they are able to, so they can continue to benefit from both a blend of digital and in-person learning, where that is possible and the opportunity to engage with others, within the restrictions, to build new networks and to make new friends.

"However, we know that many students may be struggling with the prospect of not being able to return home to visit family and other support networks, especially if is the first time in their life they have been away from home.

"Knowing what to consider in deciding whether to return home will help support wellbeing and enable students to make informed choices, but it is important to stress that adjusting to life away from home is always challenging."

Current guidance states that people should self-isolate at home for 10 days if you have symptoms of Covid-19 or tested positive, or 14 days if living with someone who has.

Mr Lochhead has written to principals and student accommodation provider networks to set out the guidance, which has been developed in consultation with NUS Scotland and Universities Scotland.

The guidance sets out that students should "consider how you may benefit from in-person learning" if returning home on a permanent basis.

Students had previously been asked by university bosses to not visit pubs and restaurants this weekend as part of efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19.

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Speaking on Sunday, NUS Scotland president Matt Crilly said: "Today's guidance provides welcome clarity to the students in halls, who will be considering their next steps.

"We welcome that students will be able to return home on a permanent basis.

"However, we are disappointed that the government continues to talk up in-person teaching, which may keep students on campus and increase risks unnecessarily."

Gerry McCormac, convener of Universities Scotland, said: "The Scottish Government's additional guidance about households puts the emphasis on staying within existing households and avoiding overnight stays elsewhere for now, but not at the expense of an individual's wellbeing.

"It also makes clear that a change of household is possible but offers guidance to limit this to cases where a change then become the person's main or only residence on a long-term basis."