The number of EU students looking to study at Scottish universities has dropped for the first time in six years.
Figures released by UCAS show a 5% decline in the applications made by potential students from across the EU in the wake of the Brexit vote.
A total of 44,430 EU citizens applied to study in 2016, dropping to 42,250 this year.
There has also been a slight decline in the number of Scots applying to the nation’s universities.
Meanwhile, applications from UK and non-EU students have continued to rise.
However, the impact of the reduction in EU applicants choosing to come to Scotland has brought the overall figures down for the first time in six years.
Convener of the Education and Skills Committee, SNP MSP James Dornan, said: “After years of steady increases in the number of EU students choosing to study in Scotland, it is really worrying that the latest UCAS figures show that every UK nation has suffered a decrease in applications from EU students since the Brexit vote last year.
“This is bad news for our universities and for jobs in the wider economy. EU students generate hundreds of millions for the Scottish economy – we cannot afford to risk the huge and positive impact they make as active learners, workers and contributors to our society.
“While the Scottish Government has guaranteed tuition fees for EU students this year, Theresa May’s harmful crackdown on international students sets a dangerous precedent for universities after Brexit. The Tories’ increasingly insular approach to the world is damaging the UK’s reputation to the point that their acts of self-harm are putting EU students off coming here.
“This is the first time in years Scotland has seen a decline by this stage in the application process and the SNP will do all in its power to make sure we protect ourselves from further damage from this disastrous hard Brexit cliff edge the Tories are blindly heading towards.”
A study in 2011-12 showed EU students generated £414.1m for the Scottish economy and in doing so created 3,743 jobs.
Locally, the number of people from the most deprived areas applying to Dundee University has dropped.
However, the figure has held steady at St Andrews and increased at Abertay University.
A spokesman for Abertay University said: “At Abertay we believe all students should have the same access opportunities, regardless of background.
“We encourage applications from students from disadvantaged backgrounds, no matter where they live, and we make them a tailored offer according to their personal circumstances.”
