WIREDGOV

Scottish university students taking part in all overseas exchange programmes are to receive full tuition fee support from next year under new procedures being introduced by the Scottish Government.

At present, Scottish students taking part in the Erasmus exchange, covering 31 European countries, have their tuition fees paid.

However, those participating in other recognised programmes outside of Europe - currently around 300 students a year - are often liable to pay half their tuition fees during their exchange at a cost of approximately £1,000 a year, with the remainder being met by the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Fiona Hyslop today announced changes to that system which will mean that from the next academic year all eligible students on recognised exchange programmes will get full fee support from SAAS.

Ms Hyslop said:

"The Scottish Government is determined to create a self-confident, outward looking Scotland. We also want to increase the skills of our people to help Scotland emerge strongly from the current economic downturn and ensure that we are fully prepared for the upturn when the time comes.

"The changes we have announced today, which are expected to cost around £300,000 next year, will help tackle some of the financial barriers to students' participation in exchange programmes in countries such as Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand and the United States.

"I hope this will help encourage more students to consider taking part in these schemes in the future - a move which can help broaden their educational and cultural university experience, as well as enhance their potential employability on their return."

Stephen Magee, Vice-Principal (External Relations) at the University of St Andrews, said:

'The University of St Andrews welcomes the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary that the Scottish Government will be giving Scottish students on all overseas exchange programmes full tuition fee support from 2010. This important commitment comes at a time when Scottish universities like St Andrews are consolidating their already-significant presence on the international education stage, and are looking to exploit a growing number of opportunities for Scottish students to study across the world.

"This welcome announcement supports Scottish universities in setting up further exchange programmes which in turn also encourages many overseas students to come to Scotland and to study in this unique learning environment."

Professor Stephen Logan, Senior Vice Principal of the University of Aberdeen, said:

"A period of study overseas is of great value to students in terms of their academic and personal development and we will develop these opportunities under our new curriculum reform plans. We welcome new initiatives that would both benefit students and further support the international activity of Scottish universities."

Today's announcement follows a number of Scottish Government initiatives in the past six months to encourage and support international exchange programmes, including:

• The announcement in December 2008 of £250,000 for the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE), a scheme which helps students and recent graduates undertake overseas work placements, while also enabling Scottish business to benefit from foreign students' expertise.
• Announcement in December of a further £63,325 to NUS Scotland to enable it to continue a successful project to encourage more students in Scotland to take up exchange opportunities in Europe. This is in addition to funding the NUS is receiving through the Strategic Investment Fund for a project aimed at enhancing internationalisation of the student experience in Scottish Higher education by supporting and encouraging greater integration of international students with 'home' students.
• Announcement of £180,000 to the US-UK Fulbright Commission in January to enable it to expand its academic exchange activities in Scotland and further the education links between this country and the USA.