The education secretary says if EU students cannot work at universities after qualifying then "Brexit will have delivered an absolutely disastrous outcome to Scottish institutions".

Mr Swinney says the Scottish government will work closely with universities to articulate their concerns.

Calls for the reintroduction of a post-study work visa system for international students in Scotland have been rejected.

The UK-wide visa scheme was scrapped in 2012.

An inquiry by the Scottish Affairs Committee concluded that removing the visa had made Scotland a less attractive destination to study.

But the UK government rejected the call, saying other visa options were available for former students.

SNP MSP Gillian Martin goes back to the issue of research funding, referencing the post-study work visa pilot, currently only in England.

Mr Swinney says the Scottish government has made a number of representations to the UK government on post-study work visas, with Holyrood cross party support. 

Mr Swinney says the proportion of domicile first time entrants to university has risen since the government has given free access to higher education.

Labour MSP Johann Lamont asks the deputy first minister if he believes higher education is truly free in Scotland and makes the point that less people from poorer backgrounds are accessing university.

Mr Swinney says this is something that is being looked at. 

He says there is a wider debate about the appropriate path for everyone to continue with their education and university is not the appropriate path for everyone. 

Image source, ANNAELIZABETHPHOTOGRAPHY

In March a commission set out 34 recommendations aimed at getting more pupils from deprived backgrounds into higher education in Scotland.

The Commission on Widening Access, external was set up by Nicola Sturgeon in 2014.

Its final report sets out a series of targets, including ensuring that pupils from the 20% most deprived areas make up 20% of Higher Education entrants by 2030.

It also calls for a Commissioner for Fair Access to be appointed.

Conservative MSP Liz Smith raises the issue of bursaries and grants.

Ms Smith asks if the free tuition policy is going to work.

The education secretary says free tuition means young people from deprived backgrounds don't have to wrestle with the issue of paying back fees.

Ms Smith says the percentage drop in bursaries and grants in Scotland has a considerable effect on not encouraging those from deprived backgrounds to come to tertiary education.

Mr Swinney says the government is focused on widening access and the pattern of progress is going in the right direction.

SNP MSP and committee convener James Dornan asks about the impact of Brexit on higher education.

Mr Swinney says concerns have been expressed by the sector around the attractiveness of Scottish education institutions to those in Europe.

Image source, Thinkstock

He says the Scottish government says there will be no change to the financial circumstances of EU students coming to Scotland in 2016/17 and 2017/18.

The education secretary says there are also concerns about research funding due to the Brexit vote.

Mr Swinney says universities and colleges are populated by individuals from many countries.

Education Secretary John Swinney begins by outlining his plans for the education brief.

Mr Swinney says: "Education is the defining mission of this government."

He highlights three priorities: 

• children and young people to get the best start
• equity and excellence for all in education
• opening up education system for all

Firstly the committee will consider the following negative instrument:

Additional Support for Learning (Sources of Information) (Scotland) Order 2016 (SSI 2016/299).

First up this morning is the Education and Skills Committee. 

The Committee will take evidence from:

• Education and Skills John Swinney 

It will question the cabinet secretary and government officials on:

• Further and Higher Education
• Skills 
• Attainment
• Children's Services
• Curriculum for Excellence
• Early Years

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live on the 2 November 2016.

Our coverage begins today with the Education and Skills Committee as they question Education and Skills Cabinet Secretary John Swinney.

In the afternoon we will bring you full and extensive coverage of all the chamber proceedings starting with portfolio questions.

This week it's the turn of the economy, jobs and fair work ministers, followed by finance and the constitution ministers, to take question from MSPs.

Health Secretary Shona Robison will then give a ministerial statement responding to the Audit Scotland NHS 2016 report, external.

Next up the Scottish Conservatives will lead a debate calling for the repeal of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012, external.

The Tories will then lead a debate on the NHS in Scotland 2016, saying the health service is in crisis.

After decision time at 5.30pm SNP MSP Sandra White will lead this evening's member's debate on the Welfare Conditionality Study.