Scotland could seek to remain part of the Erasmus+ scheme on its own if the UK did not continue its membership following Brexit, the country’s FE and HE minister will say today.

Addressing a group of Erasmus+ students in Aberdeen later today, Richard Lochhead is expected to say that Scotland is “an open and inclusive country”.

“Thousands of Scottish students, teachers and young people have benefited from the popular Erasmus+ scheme, while at the same time our campuses and country have been enriched by EU nationals choosing to live and study here," he will say.

“This much-cherished and respected learning, training and cultural programme is at serious risk – and we are clear that it must continue.”

News: MPs vote down move to safeguard Erasmus+ after Brexit

Opinion: 'Losing Erasmus+ will increase inequality'

More: UK 'could develop alternative to Erasmus+ if needed'

The value of Erasmus+

Mr Lochhead will add that over the coming weeks, the Scottish government “will make the case strongly” to the UK government that continued association with Erasmus+ is “of the utmost importance”.

However, he will say: “In the event the UK government decides to abandon the programme, we will also be looking at the possibility of Scotland associating unilaterally.”

In January, MPs voted against an amendment to the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill that would have mandated the UK government to seek full membership of the programme. Only days later, education secretary Gavin Williamson told the House of Commons that the UK was "open" to participating in Erasmus+ but would also develop alternative arrangements, should they be needed.

According to the Scottish government, proportionally more Scots take part in Erasmus+ than from any other country in the UK. Between 2014 and 2018, 14,000 participants from Scotland benefited from the EU-led scheme, securing over 90 million euros in funding.