Independence: what you need to know
Information about Scotland's future.
Education
With independence Scotland could build on the successes of devolution and strengthen Scotland’s approach to education and lifelong learning. Scotland already has:
- a system of high quality, funded early learning and childcare
- an internationally recognised school education system providing equity of opportunity for all
- world class colleges and universities where access to education is based on the ability to learn, not the ability to pay
Parental leave and childcare improvements
The Scottish Government has nearly tripled funded early learning and childcare for all three and four-year-olds since the parliament was created, including an increase from 475 hours to 1,140 hours under this government.
An independent Scotland could consider further childcare improvements including making changes to schemes currently controlled by the UK Government
Future Scottish governments could also improve parental leave and pay arrangements.
Studying abroad
An independent Scotland in the EU could:
- continue welcoming EU students to our world class colleges and universities
- give Scottish students and teachers access to Erasmus+ again, allowing students living in Scotland to access further and higher education across EU countries
Independence would allow international graduates of Scottish universities to apply to stay in Scotland for five more years, after which they could apply for permanent residence. Overseas graduates could also return to Scotland via this route.
University tuition and student loans
This Scottish Government would propose making free university tuition part of an independent Scotland’s permanent constitution, subject to a future Constitutional Convention.