Students resident in Scotland will not pay, but SNP ministers decided to bring in charges to protect places.

The decision to allow English universities to charge up to £9,000 for tuition sparked concern over "fee refugees" heading to Scotland.

A number of Scots universities will cap fees at the English level of £27,000.

Fees will apply to English, Northern Irish and Welsh students from 2012-13, although the rates will not become official until the outcome of a Scottish government consultation and new legislation is brought in.