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The Erasmus scheme is an EU programme that helps students study in other countries.

Currently 53% of UK university students who do learn abroad, do so through the scheme.

In 2016-17, external, 16,561 UK students participated in overseas programmes, while 31,727 EU nationals came to the UK.

Erasmus is also involved in vocational training and work overseas, as well as with teachers who want to work or train abroad.

The UK government has published a technical note, external explaining what would happen to participants in the scheme if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.

Some students have been warned that funding for their trips planned for the 2019-20 academic year, external is in doubt, while some universities have said they will provide funding, external to ensure exchange schemes can continue and Universities UK has launched a campaign, external supporting opportunities for studying abroad.

Mr Lochhead criticises a "draconian approach to immigration" taken by the UK government.

He highlights the proposed temporary leave to remain scheme for students would fail to cover the full four years at Scottish universities.

I have written to the UK government seeking urgent intervention on this he adds.

The minister welcomes recent regulations on Erasmus to allow those already on the scheme to continue after Brexit, but he notes this only impacts current students.

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Mr Lochhead says it's been 994 days since the referendum, but we still don't have any clarity with 15 days to go.

The minister says: "Some of the best brains in Europe choose to study and work in Scotland.

"It is therefore utter madness that the UK Government is willing to damage this success."

He tells EU staff and students they are welcome here and valued.

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Academics and researchers from the EU may be leaving their jobs because of Brexit, according to the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).

The body, which helps fund colleges and universities, says there is "anecdotal evidence" EU staff are finding or considering new roles.

More than a fifth of teaching and research staff are EU nationals.

The SFC also said any fall in the number of EU students could lead to changes for the courses on offer.

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Further Education and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead will now update MSPs on the potential impact of Brexit on colleges and universities.

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Tory MSP Adam Tomkins asks what this week's plan is for a currency.

"I really think the Tories are on dodgy ground about changed plans," replies Mr Russell.

The policy of the Scottish government is to create a modern, prosperous Scotland, he adds.

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An independent Scotland would look to introduce its own currency within the first few years of leaving the UK under a new policy set to be introduced by the SNP.

Under the proposals, Scotland would initially keep the pound during a "transition period" after independence.

But the Scottish Parliament would decide within its first term when to introduce a separate Scottish currency.

The SNP's Growth Commission report on the economics of an independent Scotland also recommended that Scotland should keep the pound during a transition period before moving to its own currency.

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Brexit Secretary Michael Russell says the case of independence has been informed by the UK government's treatment of Scotland.

The Growth Commission demonstrated Scotland can prosper as an independent country, he says.

The Scottish government will set out next steps regarding another independence referendum once the picture of Brexit is clear, he adds.

Mr Kelly says the Growth Commission points to year on year of cuts and calls for indyref2 to be ruled out.

The Growth Commission did not say this Mr Russell insists, but years of cuts and years of austerity have been brought about by Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories not backing independence he suggests.

Labour MSP James Kelly asks how the government's plans for a future independence referendum have been informed by the Sustainable Growth Commission.

Mr Dey replies EU funding benefits Scotland's funding very significantly and as a result of the UK government's approach we would lose all of it.

The parliamentary business minister points out there has been no update about a potential UK replacement from Theresa May's government.

He says it is deeply disappointing the UK government has provided no clarity on this.

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Last May the Scottish government announced community groups and charities were being given cash help to prepare for Brexit.

On Europe Day, a £150,000 fund was announced by Scotland's Brexit Minister Mike Russell to help groups make plans for the split.

The funding will provide grants to support organisations and allow them to evaluate the impact of Brexit on their operations.

The move is in response to feedback the MSP has received.

SNP MSP David Torrance asks the Scottish government what assessment it has made of the impact that Brexit will have on third sector funding.

Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale points to supermarkets increasing orders of tinned goods and seeks advice to consumers ahead of leaving the EU.

Mr Dey says the government is not advising people to stockpile but considerable work is going on to assess impacts and how to respond to them.

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Parliamentary Business Manager Graeme Dey says the £55m has been distributed in its entirety across portfolios including agriculture and food and drink.

Ms Baillie welcomes the minister's response, but asks about money for Police Scotland.

The Labour MSP says Police Scotland has said there will be significant risk with a no-deal scenario.

She calls for some of the £55m to go to Police Scotland.

Mr Dey replies none of the Barnett consequentials have come from spending on the police by the UK government.

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Labour MSP Jackie Baillie asks how much of the £55 million it received in Barnett consequentials for 2019-20 to prepare for leaving the EU has been allocated and to what.

Mr Russell says there has been no response from the UK government.

It is not clear whether there is an agreed UK government position on Brexit he says, and insists the Scottish and Welsh parliaments have been consistently ignored.

Ms Adamson says Scotland must "go its own way as an independent country".

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Scottish and Welsh politicians have joined forces to urge the prime minister to change her position on Brexit.

The Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly voted to pass identical motions calling for the planned exit date of 29 March to be put off.

MSPs and AMs also reiterated their opposition to the UK government's plans and to leaving the EU without a deal.

The UK government said its deal was a good one for Scotland and Wales.

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SNP MSP Clare Adamson asks the Scottish government what response it has received from the UK government to the simultaneous debates of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly that voted to reject the withdrawal agreement and a no deal Brexit.