Independent Scotland ‘would put free tuition in constitution’

An independent Scotland would enshrine free university tuition in its constitution and aim to reverse the trend of falling international student recruitment, according to new proposals by the Holyrood government.

A paper published by the education secretary, Jenny Gilruth, outlines the Scottish National Party’s claim that independence would allow Scotland to further improve its education system, including its plans for universities.

The Scottish government says it would enshrine economic, social and cultural rights – including the right to education – in an interim constitution, effective from day one of independence.

It would propose that a policy on free university tuition continues in the permanent constitution of an independent Scotland, subject to the deliberations of a constitutional convention.

The paper says the decision to make university tuition free has seen the number of first-time full-time Scottish degree entrants grow by 31 per cent, with record numbers of students from the most deprived communities.

The doubling down on free tuition comes despite recent analysis by London Economics that showed the Scottish state spends far more on higher education than the other devolved nations in the UK.

That analysis found that Scotland had an exchequer contribution of 113 per cent, with students in effect paid to attend higher education, compared with just 44 per cent in Wales, and 51 per cent in Northern Ireland.

And Scottish universities have also warned that public funding is failing to keep up with inflation and other costs.

The government paper also outlines how future governments could develop a bespoke student loans system that prioritises the needs of Scottish students.

Independence could also enable a shift in the student support offering by providing enhanced bursary support to those in need, including estranged students, disabled students and those with caring responsibilities, it says.

Ms Gilruth said the proposals demonstrate the potential that could be unlocked for Scottish children, young people and families.

“Independence would put significant economic and legislative levers in Scotland’s hands and give future Scottish governments a range of opportunities to do things differently on a range of key issues,” she said.

The paper also promises that an independent Scotland would rejoin the European Union, allowing students to participate in the Erasmus programme again and “widening educational opportunities for Scotland’s future generations”.

In addition, Scotland would welcome students from EU countries to its universities, which the government says would reverse the decline in students coming to the UK “following Brexit and the current policies of the UK government”.

And under a new immigration system, a five-years “Scottish Connections” visa would provide a route for people with a connection to Scotland, including graduates of Scottish universities, to stay on after their studies.

International graduates of Scottish universities would be able to apply straight after their studies to stay in Scotland for a further five years, after which they would become eligible for settlement, potentially leading to naturalisation as a citizen.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com