STUDENTS should vote to stay in the EU Nicola Sturgeon has urged.

The First Minister met undergraduates at Glasgow University to speak about the benefits for both students and academic institutions of EU membership.

She said the collaboration with universities in other EU countries was vital for not only funding but also research.

She met Erasmus students who study abroad as part of their courses and said it provides an international outlook.

She said: “I’m passionate about ensuring Scotland’s education system is the best it can be – accessible, at the cutting edge of research and teaching, and outward-looking.

“Of course, our higher education institutions benefit from EU membership just as much as our students.

“Our participation in the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme provides an invaluable source of research funding and collaboration for our education institutions, helping them to maintain their excellent international reputation.”

Ms Sturgeon said students should ensure they are registered to vote and vote to remain on June 23.

She added: “These benefits are worth getting out and voting for. I would urge people across Scotland to get out and vote to remain part of the EU, and secure the benefits of membership.”

The Scottish Vote Leave campaign however said the benefits could be secured from outwith the European Union.

Campaigners said Scottish students would still be able to participate in Erasmus if we voted to leave.

Braden Davy, Scottish Vote Leave Students spokesman said: “"Many nations, including ones which aren't in the EU take part in Erasmus and Scotland would continue to take part in the scheme.

Of the world’s top 20 universities, four are in the UK, one is in Switzerland and the rest are in the United States.

“It is inconceivable that we would be excluded from Erasmus if were to leave the EU.”

Instead he said a vote to remain posed risks for Scottish students because of the funding mechanism north of the border.

Mr Davy said: “Staying in the EU means free tuition is under threat. Already Scottish taxpayers fork out £80 million a year to pay for the places of EU students at our universities, students who under EU law compete for exactly the same places as Scottish students.

“This is a huge strain on the Scottish taxpayer, and has resulted in falling number of Scots at our universities.”

He said the proportion of Scottish students studying at Scottish universities has fallen by 5% in the last three years while EU student numbers has doubled over the last decade.