THE number of students from the EU coming to study in Scotland has almost halved since Brexit, according to the latest official figures.
Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency shows that during the 2017/18 academic year there were 9010 students from the EU enrolled in Scottish universities.
But between 2021-22 that number dropped dramatically to 4515.
It is believed that Brexit is the main deterring factor as EU students are no longer eligible for student finance if they do not already live in the UK with settled or pre-settled status.
Before Brexit undergraduate students coming to Scotland from the EU paid the same tuition fees as domestic students: nothing.
However, they are now required to pay fees previously only paid by non-EU students, which can stretch into the £10,000s.
The SNP’s education spokesperson at Westminster, Carol Monaghan MP, said the figures proved how “catastrophic” Brexit had been for young people.
“It is devastating that Brexit is denying Scotland the opportunity to attract the best and brightest young talents that Europe has to offer,” she said.
“The only way Scotland will be able to rebuild our connections with our European neighbours is with independence.
“Brexit has been catastrophic for young people across Scotland as their opportunities to work, travel and study in Europe have been severely hindered by the ending of free movement of people.
“The EU’s Erasmus scheme gave our young people fantastic opportunities to study and explore in Europe and the UK’s alternative Turing scheme is a pale imitation of Erasmus.
“Opportunities to attract the best young talents to Scotland will continue to be hindered under Westminster control with both the Tories and the pro-Brexit Labour party keeping Scotland out of the EU, no matter the economic consequences.
“The only way Scotland can re-join the European Union and the benefits that come with it to work, travel and study in Europe is with independence.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said a drop in the numbers of EU students was “expected”.
They said: “EU students remain an important part of our international education strategy ambition of hosting at least 600,000 students a year and generating £35bn in exports for the UK economy, both by 2030”.
The countries with largest decline in students coming to the UK are Italy, Germany and France.
