It was formed in the 1960s when various student organisations supportive of Scottish independence and the Scottish National Party in particular decided to join forces into a new constituent body.

It is not to be confused with Young Scots for Independence, which is the youth wing of the SNP - the FSN is for those in higher education, and membership is not restricted by age.

The FSN is an autonomous body from the SNP and as such can devise its own policies, publicity and campaigns. Unlike the SNP it is expressly republican, and has in the past exhibited socialist sentiments.