THE Home Secretary has been warned her department's Brexit policy will have "very significant consequences" for Scottish universities and put European students off applying to them.
Holyrood's Education Committee convener Clare Adamson has written to Priti Patel to say that the three-year limit proposed by her European Temporary Leave to Remain (ETLtR) policy would hit European students studying in Scotland, where courses typically last four years.
The vast majority (96.4%) of European students in Scotland study undergraduate courses of four years or more, meaning they will not be covered by the three-year limit under the proposed ETLtR policy.
To complete their studies, EU students would, under the current system, have to apply for a student visa costing £475 midway through their course.
Adamson described it as "a lengthy and burdensome process which involves an online application, attending an appointment with the Home Office and an eight-week wait for a decision".
She added: "Students will have to navigate the complex visa system right at a time when they will rightly be focusing on their studies and preparing for their final year."
In the letter, the SNP MSP expressed the committee's concerns about the policy, claiming it would put Scottish universities "at a competitive disadvantage in attracting new EU students".
She said: "The proposed European Temporary Leave to Remain will have very significant consequences for Scottish higher education institutions.
"The three-year time limit is likely to affect every EU student studying in Scotland and would be a significant deterrent to applications from students of EU domicile."
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She called on Patel – who was previously forced to resign from Theresa May's cabinet over unauthorised meetings with foreign governments – to "give fresh consideration to this policy proposal".
Adamson added: "The committee seeks your perspective on the disproportionate negative impact that this policy would have on Scottish higher education institutions and the scope to change policy direction."
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
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