Non-Scottish students face £9,000 fees

Universities in Scotland will be allowed to charge students from other parts of the UK up to £9,000 a year in tuition fees under proposals unveiled by education secretary Michael Russell.

Plans released for consultation would give higher education institutions the power to set their own fees for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland from the start of the 2012-13 academic year.

Russell said that primary legislation would soon be brought forward to cap these annual charges at £9,000. Universities Scotland has confirmed its members will comply with the limit on a voluntary basis until the law comes into force.

He claimed the move would ensure that Scottish students do not have to pay tuition fees, while ensuring that studying north of the border remains "the best option, not the cheapest option" for others.

"Scotland has and always will welcome students from all over the world to our universities," the minister said.

"However, the decisions being taken in England could threaten the quality and competitiveness of our universities. We cannot allow Scotland to no longer be the best option and instead be known as the cheap option.

"Today, we are providing clarity for potential students from the rest of the UK that making the positive choice to study in Scotland will not cost more than it does in their home nation. We expect the average fee for Scottish universities to be lower than the average in England and Wales."