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Scotland's universities are international melting pots. Some campuses are amongst the most cosmopolitan parts of Scotland.

But not all students from overseas are simply here on exchange visits.

Many have chosen to come to Scotland to study for the whole of their degree and will graduate here

There are nearly 13,500 undergraduate students from other EU countries at Scotland's universities. In both legal and practical terms, they are treated in exactly the same way as Scottish students and receive free tuition.

A further 6,500 from the EU are studying in Scotland at postgraduate level.

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Undergraduates at Scottish universities can be split into three broad categories:

*Students from Scotland and EU countries outside the UK who receive free tuition.

*Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland who pay tuition fees of around £9,000 a year.

*So-called "international" students who come from countries outside the EU who pay uncapped tuition fees.

EU students receive free tuition in Scotland because of European law and do not need visas or work permits so how might Brexit affect them?

Read more here.

Maximillian Kriz, EU Society, Edinburgh University says nowadays a degree is required to succeed in a competitive job market.

Mr Kriz says Brexit is creating uncertainty for higher education. 

Martine Bisenius - EU Society, Edinburgh University says there are concerns around the scrapping of the Erasmus programme.

Ms Bisenius says there are less researchers who are willing to come to UK universities because of the uncertainties around funding. 

Image source, bbc

As the UK officially notifies the European Union that it is leaving, here is an easy-to-understand guide to Brexit - beginning with the basics.

What does Brexit mean?

It is a word that has become used as a shorthand way of saying the UK leaving the EU - merging the words Britain and exit to get Brexit, in a same way as a possible Greek exit from the euro was dubbed Grexit in the past.

Why is Britain leaving the European Union?

A referendum - a vote in which everyone (or nearly everyone) of voting age can take part - was held on Thursday 23 June, 2016, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union. Leave won by 51.9% to 48.1%. The referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting.

Image source, Reuters

What was the breakdown across the UK?

England voted for Brexit, by 53.4% to 46.6%. Wales also voted for Brexit, with Leave getting 52.5% of the vote and Remain 47.5%. Scotland and Northern Ireland both backed staying in the EU. Scotland backed Remain by 62% to 38%, while 55.8% in Northern Ireland voted Remain and 44.2% Leave. See the results in more detail.

For everything you need to know about Brexit click here.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald asks what the witnesses feel the impact on business is. 

Kirsty Smith says organisations and companies work for profit and if trade in unclear then it will affect those businesses and their decisions. 

Image source, AFP/Getty images

Britain is officially on its way out of the European Union after 44 years as a member after invoking a part of European law known as Article 50 on Wednesday.  

Click here to find out happens next.

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Kirsty Smith says her group that looked at the economy this morning did not want to  go for a hard Brexit.

Ms Smith says a lot of EU citizens now feel a great amount of uncertainty.

Maddie Chambers from East Renfrewshire Youth Forum says there is a desire to work and travel in the EU and that must not be lost.

Ms Smith says there will be an impact on the creative industry and on people studying in the UK, as the creative industry is largely funded by the EU and this could be 'disastrous'.

Lauren O'Keefe from the French Consulate asks who is representing the remainers and questions why it is not a soft Brexit.

Heather Cameron says young people expressed concerns about Prime Minister Theresa May wanting unity in Westminster when opposition is needed to question what it means. 

Ms Cameron says there is a lack of engagement with young people.

Image source, Getty Images

As the government prepares to trigger Article 50, what are the key areas that will need to be dealt with in the Brexit negotiations with Europe? Click on the links below for more detail.

Immigration▼ Business▼ Security▼

Defence▼ Health▼ Education▼

Science▼ The environment▼ Farming and fishing▼

Maximillian Kriz, from the EU Society, Edinburgh University says the uncertainties are the problem

His colleague says Martine Bisenius says it is really important to give young people a voice.

Maddie Chambers,East Renfrewshire Youth Forum, says "a lot of individuals were misinformed due to bias in the media."

Kirsty Smith says there is not enough information to make and informed decision.

Ms Smith says the publications are not what they hoped it would be. 

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The committee will take evidence from: 

• Maddie Chambers – East Renfrewshire Youth Forum
• Kirsty Smith

• Martine Bisenius – EU Society, Edinburgh University
• Maximillian Kriz, EU Society, Edinburgh University
• Heather Cameron - Scottish Youth Parliament

• Lauren O'Keefe from the French Consulate
• David Chipakupaku  from VOMO (Voice of my OWN) 

Young people from across Scotland have come to the Scottish Parliament today  to have their say on what sort of future relations they would like to see between Scotland and the EU, after Brexit.

The Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee, external is holding the event for around 40 people, all aged 16 – 25 years old.

Image source, PA/AFP/GETTY IMAGEs

Participants have been invited from a number of youth organisations, including, Young Scot, Youth Link Scotland, the Scottish Youth Parliament and Edinburgh University. A number of regional based youth organisations will also be represented.

Amongst the issues expected to be discussed are

• education – including the impact on Scottish universities, research funding and the future of the ERASMUS scheme;
• the economy – including freedom of movement, trade and access to the single market; and
• the environment, including climate change initiative and European food standards

Committee convener Neil Findlay moves the committee into private session.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the group of managers she spoke to said raising concerns is difficult and that they do not want to speak out.

That brings to an end the second evidence session this morning on health and social care integration.

The Health Committee will now discuss NHS governance.

Corinne Curtis, a service user with Orkney Integration Authority Strategic Planning Group,  says people need to understand what real communication is.

Ms Curtis says the public often do not respond if they are asked "stupid questions".

She says the public are often asked to respond to a 64-page consultation and that it should be more focused questions.

Ms Curtis says lessons must be learned from this. 

Christina West from Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership says, in the past, decision making has been accelerated.

Ms West says an apology has been given to the community for any errors and she does not think that this will be repeated.

"Lessons have been learned," she says. 

Amy Dalrymple from Alzheimer Scotland says the first thing that the public heard is that a care home was closing.

Ms Dalrymple says the public need to be better informed about the reasons behind there decisions and that a culture change is required.

She says the data helps but it is also about what the people in that community feel that the issues are.

Mr Dalrymple says it requires a culture change and "that is going to take courage."