THE majority of Scots support free university tuition, according to a new poll.
The poll, conducted by Survation for True North Advisors, found that 57% of respondents support free university tuition in Scotland, with just 17% saying they opposed the policy.
The SNP's long-standing policy of not charging tuition fees to Scottish students studying at universities north of the Border had the most support from Scottish Greens voters, followed by the SNP.
The survey also found that support is higher among women, while those backing free tuition include more than half of those who voted Labour in the last General Election.
It also found that support for free university tuition was above 50% for almost all generations except those aged between 16 and 24, who are more likely to currently be at university. Support for this group sat at 46%.
The poll was carried out between May 2 and 5 and surveyed 1012 people in Scotland aged 16 and over.
Katy Loudon, who is standing as the SNP candidate for the upcoming Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, welcomed the results of the poll.
She said: “As a former teacher, I know first hand the transformative impact that free tuition has had on Scotland’s young people.
“Under the SNP, there are record numbers of Scottish students attending university and near-record numbers from our most deprived areas.
“Meanwhile Labour governments in England and Wales have increased tuition fees to record levels.
“I, along with many fellow teachers and parents, have seen countless futures changed by free tuition, and I’m enormously proud of the difference SNP policies like this are making every day.
“Labour in power is letting Scots down, but you know the SNP is always on Scotland’s side. We abolished Labour's tuition fees and we will never let them be reimposed on Scotland's students."
Earlier this year, a poll by the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland found that 48% of adults supported the idea of introducing university tuition fees in Scotland based on the ability to pay.
At the time, First Minister John Swinney said it was "important" to keep university education free for Scottish students, adding that the Scottish Government “intends to maintain that policy”.
In April, university tuition fees rose in England for the first time in eight years. Maximum tuition fees increased from £9250 to £9535.
