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Universities in Scotland have started to offer financial incentives for students to stay.

Edinburgh University is offering 10 per cent off fees to recent graduates, while Aberdeen University is offering a discount of up to 20 per cent.

Some English universities are already offering similar incentives, but these two are the first Scottish institutions to take this approach.

James Alexander, the president of the National Union of Students Scotland, said: "These measures are beneficial and should hopefully address the issue of student debt.

"If we want to increase the number of postgraduates in society, we are not going to do this by continuing to charge the sort of fees currently being asked."

Kelly Forbes is a recent graduate of Edinburgh University who will benefit from the new system when she starts her MSc course in environment, culture and society.

She told the Scotsman that although the saving didn't play a part in her decision to take the course, it did come as a nice surprise.

She commented: "I always planned to continue my studies at Edinburgh.

"When I found out about the discount in my graduation pack, as did all my friends, it was just a nice surprise, not necessarily an incentive."

Ms Forbes, who expects to make a saving of around £400, emphasised: "I decided to continue studying, because a postgraduate degree is so important today at setting you apart from the crowd.

"I may even treat myself to the occasional haircut or DVD, as long as it doesn't distract me from my studying."