Financial support available for postgraduate students will increase next academic year.

Eligible students can currently access a combined loan of up to £7,900 for fees and living costs for a limited number of specific courses up to postgraduate diploma level.

However from 2017-18, up to £10,000 will be available for any taught postgraduate course up to full masters level at any Scottish higher education institute (HEI).

This will comprise £5,500 for fees and £4,500 for living costs, up from the current level of £3,400 and £4,500 respectively.

Higher Education Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "Postgraduate study can open doors to new careers and higher earnings - which has benefits for individuals and the wider economy.

"From next academic year, we are making postgraduate study more affordable for students domiciled in Scotland by increasing the maximum level of available support to £10,000 and greatly widening the range of eligible courses.

"The Taught Postgraduate Review, led by Professor Bryan MacGregor of Aberdeen University, recommended introducing a universal student loan entitlement of £9,000 for postgraduate level study. The changes I have announced today go above and beyond this."

NUS Scotland has welcomed the announcement.

President Vonnie Sandlan said: "It's really welcome to see the Scottish Government accept these important recommendations from the Taught Postgraduate Review - a review that NUS Scotland was proud to play a part in seeing formed and working with.

"The introduction of increased fee and living cost support will go a long way to opening up postgraduate education to more students who will be able to access that study without having to struggle to find thousands of pounds in upfront fees.

"Given everything we've achieved on making access to undergraduate education fairer, it's only right that we're now turning our attention to making access to postgraduate study fairer."

Students pay back postgraduate loans in the same way and on the same terms as undergraduate loans.

For students with postgraduate and undergraduate loans, both sums are added together and are subject to the same interest rate.

Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, said: "It's important for Scotland's growth as an innovative and productive economy that we enable more people to develop high-level postgraduate skills.

"The measures set out today will enable people to access greatly improved support to pursue these opportunities. As a member of the working group that made recommendations to Scottish Government for improved postgraduate support, it's very satisfying to see this taken forward."