‘Irish’ exploiting loophole

MORE evidence has emerged of Northern Irish students attempting to exploit a loophole to avoid paying tuition fees at Scottish universities.

Aberdeen University said around 16 per cent of current applicants from Northern Ireland had applied claiming Irish nationality.

Earlier this week, Dundee University said 20 per cent of its applicants from Northern Ireland had applied with an Irish rather than a UK passport. Under new arrangements, currently being introduced by the Scottish Government, students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales will be required to pay tuition fees of up to £9,000 a year, while those from Scotland and the rest of the EU will remain exempt.

The Scottish Government has said it is yet to see “any evidence” that Northern Irish students are exploiting the loophole which allows EU students to study for free.