EU Student Funding Commitment

European Union students coming to study in Scotland in 2017 will have funding for the entirety of their course. Education secretary, John Swinney, announced the plan at an SNP conference in Glasgow. 

 

RGU Principal, Ferdinand von Prondzynski, said: “The advantage of that obviously is that there is a greater sense of security for those who are already in the system and we are able to market our courses to potential European students for the coming year.” However, he added that the announcement came quite late as many students would have already made their choices for university. But the commitment still has potential to make some difference.

 

Despite the announcement, it remains uncertain whether or not this would continue for students coming after 2017. The Principal told Radar that: “We’ve not received any signals that would allow us to make an educated guess.” 

 

Brexit has raised concerns about cultural diversity, not only within universities, but also throughout the UK. The rise in racist incidents following the referendum has the potential to put people off coming here. In the context of RGU, Ferdinand said: “Cultural diversity on this campus is a really important priority for me – I am a multi-cultural person by background myself.” He is also determined to work hard to overcome any negative implications of Brexit.

 

Any students who have any concerns can talk to the principal himself, in confidence. Ferdinand said he is “very willing” to talk to students about anything they wish to raise. He added that to those who are considering studying at RGU, he would say “We will continue to be welcoming and give whatever help and support any student may need.” The university aims to remain a multi-national and a multi-cultural campus.