A mass testing regime will be introduced to help college and universities students return home safely for Christmas.
Scottish Government Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said up to 80,000 students could benefit from a test which can deliver a result in half an hour.
He said two tests per person - taken five days a apart - would be required.
Covid infections across Scotland increased after universities reopened for the new academic term in September, sparking criticism of higher education bodies and the Government.
Concerns exist that a fresh wave of infections could be caused by tens of thousands of students leaving their halls of residence in Scotland to go home in December.
Addressing MSPs, Lochhead said there would be a "staggered and early departure" of students.
He also said the Government would advise any student wanting to return home for the end of term to "voluntarily reduce their social mixing" for two weeks before going home.
He added that there are concerns about students moving from one household to another during the break, and confirmed testing would be offered to students returning home.
In this regard, he said a new technology would be used which can "provide a result in half an hour".
Lochhead added that testing would be offered on a voluntary basis to all returning students, which is between 60,000 and 80,000 students:
"We are currently planning on the basis that two tests will be necessary, five days apart."
Alastair Sim, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Student welfare has guided our decision making throughout the pandemic and that will continue.
"We agree that it’s important that students living away from their families have the chance to reconnect at Christmas and this needs to be carefully managed to reduce risk. We welcome the measures announced by the Scottish Government, especially developments which have made asymptomatic testing an option for the student community ahead of the winter break.
"This will help students to make judgements based on their personal and family circumstances. Urgent work now begins to get the testing strategy in place in the next few weeks."
Labour MSP Iain Gray said: “The return of students to universities in September was one of the worst handled episodes in the pandemic, with infection rates soaring and hundreds of students facing self-isolation in very difficult circumstances.
“So, it is very good that we have a plan. And it is good that it is a four-nation plan, given movement across the United Kingdom.
"What is rather worrying is the lack of detail provided today; so, can the Minister tell us when testing will actually begin, who will carry the cost of tests, and whether he is recommending that all students should be tested before returning home?"
On Wednesday, the Welsh Government said university students will be asked to undergo rapid covid testing before returning home for Christmas.
Welsh universities will also end the majority of “in-person” lessons in the week ending December 8, allowing time for students who test positive to isolate.
UK universities minister Michelle Donelan has also written to English education chiefs to propose a week of mass testing for students from November 30 to December 6.
The aim is to stop students spreading the virus as they return home.
