THE majority of Scottish universities are unlikely to charge fees of £9000 a year to students from the rest of the UK, key figures in higher education have said.
Universities Scotland, which represents principals, said charging £36,000 for a four-year degree would be a major disincentive for many students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
And Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, principal of Robert Gordon University, said fees at his institution were likely to be "substantially" lower.
The comments came after Michael Russell, the Education Secretary, revealed plans to allow Scottish universities to compete for fee-paying students from elsewhere in the UK by charging fees of up to £9000.
His announcement follows the introduction of fees of up to £9000 a year at universities south of the Border from next year.
Institutions in Scotland feared they would be flooded by applications from elsewhere seeing higher education in Scotland as a cheap option. The sector was also concerned it would fall behind financially.
Mr Russell's solution has the joint advantage of raising additional income, as well as creating a level playing field with elsewhere in the UK. It also protects places for Scottish students, who will continue to get fees paid.
However, the Government has faced criticism for setting the cap at a level that could see UK students paying more than at an English university.
Usman Ali, vice-president of the National Union of Students, said this would deter students from other parts of the UK.
"This decision risks erecting a new Hadrian's Wall to prospective students from England who want the opportunity to study in Scottish universities, but cannot face incurring debts of £36,000."
However, Mr von Prondzynski said: "In England, there has been a rush by the majority of universities to charge the full permitted £9000 tuition fee. I personally doubt this will be reflected across all Scottish universities. Indeed, at Robert Gordon University, I anticipate fee s being set substantially below this maximum level."
Meanwhile, Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, said: "All speculation since the announcement has focused around fees of £9000, but that figure is a cap and not a target.
"Universities need to make their own decisions on what's appropriate over the summer, but they will do so mindful of the fact they want to remain open and attractive to students from across the UK.
"The fact some degree programmes are a year longer in Scotland is also likely to be a factor influencing judgments on what is a competitive fee."
Professor Ian Diamond, principal of Aberdeen University, said institutions would also make bursaries and scholarships available.
"We need to make this new system work for everyone and we will all be considering what can be offered in terms of bursaries and scholarships for all students," he said. "It is important able students from every part of the UK can study at Scotland's great universities, whatever their background. "
The Scottish Government will consult on proposals for secondary legislation to allow institutions to set fees for other UK students from 2012/13. It wants to bring in primary legislation capping the amount at £9000 from 2013/14..
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