Millions of pounds come to Scotland from Europe

Scotland has received a record amount of cash from a European exchange scheme for students.

Almost 21 million euros – the equivalent of more than £18 million – has been received in Erasmus+ funding in 2017, an increase of almost five million euros on the previous year.

Brexit has put in doubt whether the scheme – which allows students to go abroad for three to 12 months – will be able to continue in the UK. However, this year 159 organisations in Scotland from further and higher education, as well as schools, youth projects and vocational education schemes, will receive cash.

More than half the cash will go to universities, who will receive 11.4 million euros, according to data from the British Council and Ecorys UK – the national agency which delivers the European Union scheme in the UK.

Meanwhile, schools will receive 2.3 million euros, 4.75 million euros will go to organisations involved in vocational education and training and 1.6 million euros for the adult education sector.

In addition, 756,000 euros will go to youth work organisations in Scotland.

Jackie Killeen, director of the British Council in Scotland, said: “These new figures for Erasmus+ demonstrate the huge appetite across Scotland’s education and youth training sectors for international exchange, collaboration and partnership.

“As the UK continues to be a full EU member throughout 2018, I would encourage the Scottish sector to maintain its strong record with Erasmus+.”