Brexit hits EU student numbers

A politician has criticised what he described as the Tories’chaotic Brexit plans, which are driving EU students away from Scotland’s universities.

New UCAS statistics have shown that the number of EU students coming to Scotland fell by 10 per cent in the last year.

Gavin Newlands, SNP MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said Scottish universities have regularly warned of the significant dangers that Brexit poses to the higher education sector – and these figures show that the impact is already being felt as EU students choose not to study in Scotland.

He added:“Universities have regularly warned the Tory UK Government about the dangers of Brexit and these latest statistics highlight this, as EU students are choosing not to study in Scotland, taking their talents elsewhere.

“Renfrewshire is well aware of the positive contribution that EU students make to our community, with the young people who are studying at UWS.

“They enrich our community and many of them enjoy Renfrewshire so much that they continue to live and work here long after they have graduated.

“The Tory UK Government need to start acting upon the concerns that Scottish universities are raising regarding Brexit.

“Universities – like the UWS – are vital to our national and local economy and we cannot continue to allow the Tories’chaotic Brexit plans to drive EU students away from our campuses.”