MSPs have backed a Scottish Government motion confirming a commitment to free university education but Labour abstained from the vote.
Holyrood voted by 67 to 13 in favour of the statement “access to higher education should be based on ability to learn, not ability to pay”, which included a pledge that ministers will not introduce up-front or back-door tuition fees.
During a fierce debate, education secretary Michael Russell said his opponents faced a “simple choice” with a vote against tuition fees representing a vote for fairness.
The SNP administration has promised to maintain free university education for all, while the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition at Westminster has introduced fees of up to £9,000 a year.
Mr Russell said the Government had pledged to increase the funding provided to universities, starting with an additional £75 million in 2012/13.
“It is plain to see that we do not need up-front or back-door tuition fees to fund our universities,” he added.
Labour leader Johann Lamont suggested in a speech in December that a graduate contribution could be introduced.
In its 2011 Scottish elections manifesto, the party had pledged no up-front or back-end tuition fees for Scottish students but the party is now calling for an independent commission on further and higher education in Scotland.
Labour’s Hugh Henry suggested colleges were suffering as a result of the SNP’s tuition fees policy.
He said: “Scotland’s colleges have had to shoulder the burden to make the SNP look good when it comes to universities.”
Tory education spokeswoman Liz Smith said she was “more convinced than ever” students should pay towards the cost of their degrees.
She said Scotland spent just 1% of its GDP on higher education less than many other countries, including England.
After the vote, SNP MSP Stewart Maxwell said Labour had “broken their promise to students” by abstaining.