Plan B Forum

In a move more resonant of medieval independence struggles than European integration, Scottish Universities will ramp up tuition fees for English students by over $10,000 a year while students from mainland Europe can study for free.

Education Secretary Michael Russell this week announced that Scottish universities would be allowed to charge students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland up to £9000 (A$13,500) a year from 2012-13, after England and Wales raised their own tuition fees.

But Mr Russell reiterated his commitment to keep higher education tuition-free for Scottish students.
This means students from the other 26 European Union member nations can study for free too, because EU laws essentially preclude members from discriminating against citizens of partner nations, but leave them free to discriminate within their own country.


Mr Russell said that under an agreement with Universities Scotland – to be formalised through legislation – institutions would be free to set fees between £1800 and £9000 for students from other parts of the UK. He said the move was necessary “to ensure Scotland remains the best option, not the cheapest option”.

But he said he still expected Scottish fees to be lower than those in England, with local institutions charging around £6400 for students from other parts of the UK.


Last November the UK Government raised the fee cap for English university courses from £3290 to £6000, with institutions allowed to charge up to £9000 “in exceptional cases”. Many plan to charge the £9000 maximum.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher- ... 6085827001

EU laws essentially preclude members from discriminating against citizens of partner nations, but leave them free to discriminate within their own country.