To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances a Scottish student at a Scottish higher education institute would have to pay upfront tuition fees.

Tuition fees have been abolished for Scottish domiciled and EU undergraduate students studying full-time higher education courses in Scotland. This support is available to all eligible full-time students to undertake study up to degree level or equivalent, provided they have not previously undertaken such a course with assistance from public funds. A student who undertakes a second course at the same level or who repeats part of a course for which they have previously received fee support will, therefore, have to pay a contribution towards the cost of tuition.

Most students undertaking higher education courses on a part-time or distance learning basis will have to pay tuition fees although a fee waiver scheme is in place to meet this cost for students who are in receipt of benefits or on a low income.

Most postgraduate students will pay tuition fees, although full-time students on postgraduate certificate of education, postgraduate diploma in community education courses and those who are eligible for an award under the postgraduate students allowances scheme will have their fees paid.