Letter: Simple lessons

Much confusion seems to have arisen over the eligibility of Northern Irish students who hold a Republic of Ireland passport to gain free tuition at Scottish universities (your report, 2 May). It would, of course, be ideal if all students within the rest of the UK be allowed free tuition in Scotland, but Con-Dem budgetary cuts and the imposition of tuition fees by that government means this simply cannot be the case.

Eligibility for free university tuition is based on ordinary residency rather than nationality, and it is therefore unwise for a student resident in Northern Ireland to believe they have a right to free tuition in Scotland because they may also hold a Republic of Ireland passport.

Alex Orr

Leamington Terrace

Edinburgh