Postgraduate funding has been expanded to cover students on all types of masters courses.

Eligible research masters students living in Scotland will be able to access loans, currently available to other postgraduate students, for courses starting in the academic year 2019/20.

They will be able to apply for tuition fee loans of up to £5,500 and living cost loan support of up to £4,500.

EU students will be eligible for the tuition fee element of the funding.

The Scottish Government said more than 450 students could benefit from the expansion in loan support.

Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead said: “The Scottish Government is committed to making higher education as accessible as possible.

“Research students in Scotland are working on the cutting edge of modern thinking. This expansion in funding will allow more students than ever before to pursue postgraduate study without financial barriers.

“This includes EU students, whose interests the Scottish Government is committed to protecting in light of Brexit.”