THE University of Edinburgh has committed to "providing certainty" to all 2018-19 entrants whose courses including study aboard, amid fears the Erasmus programme is under threat due to Brexit.
Scottish academics and student bodies have been raising concerns about possible effects on Scottish-based students studying in Europe since last year's shock vote.
Now Edinburgh has become the first major educational establishment to offer reassurances to incoming students, by guaranteeing support for international mobility.
Compulsory study abroad has been a growing part of degree courses in recent years, thanks in no small part to the Erasmus programme of the European Union which encourages and pays for international student exchange study trips.
Though the UK Government has neither confirmed nor denied it, Erasmus for students across the UK is under threat.
The level of support provided by Edinburgh will be broadly equivalent to that provided under the current Erasmus+ programme, which concludes in 2019-20.
A university statement said: “The UK Government has confirmed full UK involvement in the current programme and promotes the benefits of these international experiences for students.
“Formal commitment to an Erasmus+ successor programme is expected but, as part of wider Brexit negotiations, is currently uncertain.”
There are currently a range of funded options available to students — particularly those studying languages — with compulsory spells abroad.
About 60 per cent of undergraduate students on such programmes will do so through an Erasmus study placement. Others take up language school options, work placements, internships, voluntary work and teaching assistantships with the British Council.
“The University of Edinburgh is a global university which actively encourages the international mobility of its staff and students," said Alan Mackay, it deputy vice-principal international.
“We’ve taken this step to offer much-needed reassurance to prospective 2018-19 students considering programmes with compulsory work or study abroad.”
One student quoted on the university’s website about his Erasmus experience at Bologna University in Italy said: “I definitely benefitted from the experience. It has certainly improved by employability.
“I’d recommend everyone to go abroad, it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it looks great on your CV.
“My most recent job with a TV production company were particularly impressed with my cultural awareness and global-mindedness which were certainly helped by the Erasmus exchange."
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