Fife Council is to press the Prime Minister to continue a global exchange programme which funds British students to study abroad.
Councillors were warned fewer opportunities for study abroad under the Erasmus programme would be a “disaster” for Scottish students.
The Erasmus programme has featured almost 600,000 UK students over the course of three decades, including many from Fife but its future is in doubt as the government negotiates the terms of its exit from Europe.
Councillors agreed to write to Boris Johnson to voice strong support for the scheme, following a successful motion by Liberal Democrat leader Tim Brett, who said it enhanced students’ academic experience, their confidence and independence.
The Tay Bridgehead councillor said: “For institutions such as St Andrews University, Erasmus provides the financially-viable option for students who could not otherwise afford to study abroad which is a critical part of the university’s institutional priority to widen participation to study abroad programmes. All of this is now at risk.”
The government has stated the UK will consider options for participating in elements of Erasmus after 2021 on a time-limited basis, providing terms were in the UK’s interests.
Mr Brett said: “This will be a disaster for Scottish students and universities.”
The party’s education spokesman James Calder, councillor for Dunfermline South, backed Mr Brett’s motion.
His Belgian wife benefited from Erasmus as a student, which he said allowed her to immerse herself in the British way of life and improve her English.
He said: “It’s so important for me that we do not strip the rights of young people, the rights they have through this European scheme.”
