English Students' Tuition Fees In Scottish Universities

do english students pay tuition fees at scottish universities

Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland are required to pay tuition fees to study at Scottish universities. The fees are set by the individual institution and are typically higher than those paid by Scottish students and students from the EU, who are often exempt from paying fees. Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland can apply for living cost grants and student loans from their home funding body, and there are also scholarships and bursaries available to help with the cost of tuition fees or living expenses.

Characteristics Values
Students who need to pay tuition fees English students, international students, and EU students starting a course in or after the 2021-22 academic year
Students who don't need to pay tuition fees Scottish students, EU students (before the 2021-22 academic year), and students with 'settled' or 'pre-settled' status in the UK
Postgraduate students Need to pay a tuition fee set by the individual institution
Undergraduate students from Scotland Eligible for home tuition fees paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
Students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland Can apply for living cost grants and student loans from their home funding body
Undergraduate home fees for 2025-2026 Capped at £1,820
RUK fee for 2025-2026 Capped at £9,535
Postgraduate students from Scotland and the rest of the UK Need to pay a tuition fee set by the individual institution
Postgraduate EU students Pay international fees
Undergraduate students who are not Scottish citizens Need to pay tuition fees unless they are citizens of another EU country and studying for their first undergraduate degree
Postgraduate students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland Tuition fees for 2025-2026 are £9,535

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Postgraduate fees for English students

Students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are classified as "Rest of UK" or "RUK" students in Scottish universities. While undergraduate students from Scotland are eligible for home tuition fees, which are paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), RUK students have to pay higher fees than Home students for undergraduate degrees. However, for postgraduate degrees, Scottish universities do not differentiate between Scottish and RUK students.

Postgraduate students from Scotland and the rest of the UK will need to pay a tuition fee, which is set by the individual institution. The tuition fee amount depends on the university, programme, and fee status. Generally, EU students pay less than non-EU international students. The more prestigious the university, the higher the tuition cost. For example, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow are likely to be more expensive than other Scottish universities.

Students from England, Northern Ireland, and Wales studying in Scotland can apply for living cost grants and student loans from their home funding body. They will receive the same level of funding as they would if they were studying in their home country. Many Scottish universities also offer scholarships and bursaries to assist with tuition fees or living costs.

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, the Scottish Government announced that new higher education students arriving from the EU would no longer qualify for home fee status and free tuition from the 2021/22 academic year. However, European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme remain eligible for home fee status and student support.

Students who are unsure about their eligibility for home fee status should discuss it with their university and SAAS. Generally, to be eligible for home fee status, students must have a 'relevant connection' with Scotland, which means being ''settled' in the UK and ''ordinarily resident' in Scotland on the 'relevant date'. They must also have lived in the UK for the three years before this date.

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Undergraduate fees for English students

Undergraduate fees for students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland studying in Scotland are set by the individual institution and vary depending on the university and programme. Students from these countries are classified as "Rest of UK" or "RUK" students and are not eligible for home fee status or free tuition in Scotland.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the Scottish Government has capped the "Rest of UK" fee at £9,535, which is equivalent to the 'home' fee charged in England. Students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland can apply for living cost grants and student loans from their home funding body, and many Scottish universities offer scholarships and bursaries to assist with tuition fees or living costs.

Students who are undertaking a study abroad year at a university in Scotland will only pay tuition fees to that university and will not be required to pay any tuition fees to the host institution abroad. It is also worth noting that students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland may be able to get straight into the second year of Scottish courses depending on their A Level results, which can help to mitigate the higher cost of a four-year degree in Scotland compared to a three-year degree in other parts of the UK.

To determine the specific undergraduate fees for English students, it is recommended to visit the website of the Scottish university you are interested in applying to, as each university will provide information on their tuition fees for different categories of students.

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Scholarships for English students

Students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are classified as "Rest of UK" or "RUK" students in Scottish universities. While Scottish universities offer scholarships and bursaries to assist with tuition fees and living expenses, RUK students are not eligible for home tuition fees. Undergraduate students from Scotland are eligible for home tuition fees, which means that tuition fees are paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

There are a few scholarships available for English students who want to study in Scotland. Here are some options:

  • Saltire Scholarships: These are awarded by the Scottish Government and are worth £2000 each. They are open to undergraduate, Masters, or PhD students from Canada, China, India, and the USA.
  • Gwen Clutterbuck Scholarship: This scholarship is for graduates of the Department of Music or undergraduates who have passed the first BMus exam. Awards to undergraduates will be for musical study at the University of Edinburgh.
  • University of Glasgow: The University of Glasgow offers a Bachelor of Nursing scholarship worth £1,500 per year for one year.
  • Royal Society Fellowships: These are offered to researchers from North America and Asia. The aim is to attract outstanding postdoctoral scientists to undertake research at a UK laboratory.
  • British Chevening Scholarships: This is the UK government's global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The scholarship offers full financial support to study for any eligible master's degree at any UK university while also giving access to a wide range of exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences.

It is important to note that the availability and eligibility criteria for scholarships may vary, and it is always a good idea to check the specific requirements and application processes for each scholarship. Additionally, students from England can apply for living cost grants and student loans from their home funding body, and will receive the same level of funding as they would if studying in their home country.

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Loans for English students

Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland are classified as "Rest of UK" or "RUK" students. This means that they are not eligible for free tuition in Scottish universities and will be required to pay an annual tuition fee set by the institution they are applying to.

Students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales studying in Scotland are able to apply for living cost grants and student loans from their home funding body, and will receive the same level of funding as they would if studying in their home country.

The Scottish Government is boosting support for students' living costs, but funding for teaching has decreased. Support for living costs is predominantly through loans, with students entitled to borrow £6,000 or £7,000. Those with household incomes below £34,000 are also entitled to non-repayable bursaries of between £500 and £2,000 per year. Students ordinarily resident in Scotland and doing their first degree will generally be eligible for free tuition.

Scottish-domiciled students who study in the rest of the UK are required to pay fees set by the UK Government, currently up to £9,250 a year. These students can apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 per year to help with the cost of their course fees. They can also apply to SAAS for bursary and loan support to help with living costs.

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Fee status and eligibility

Scottish universities allocate their students a fee status for the purpose of charging tuition fees. There are three levels of fee status: a ‘home’ fee for students who live in Scotland, a ‘rest of UK’ (RUK) fee for students who live elsewhere in the UK or Ireland, and an international fee for students from outside the UK and EU.

Undergraduate students from Scotland are eligible for home tuition fees, which means that tuition fees are paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). Postgraduate students from Scotland and the rest of the UK will need to pay a tuition fee, which is set by the individual institution.

Students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are considered RUK students and are not eligible for home tuition fees in Scotland. They will be required to pay an annual tuition fee set by the institution they are applying to. These fees are similar to those charged by universities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, RUK students can apply for living cost grants and student loans from their home funding body, and will receive the same level of funding as they would if studying in their home country.

Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students are also no longer eligible for home fee status and free tuition from the 2021/22 academic year. However, EU nationals with settled status in the UK who live in Scotland and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years are generally eligible for home fee status.

International students usually have to pay higher tuition fees, although they may be eligible for scholarships to help finance their studies.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, students from England are charged tuition fees by Scottish universities. The same is true for students from Wales and Northern Ireland. These students are referred to as "Rest of UK" or "RUK" students.

The tuition fees for RUK students are capped at a middle rate equivalent to the 'home' fee charged in England. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the fee is £9,535.

No, Scottish students get free university tuition. Undergraduate students from Scotland are eligible for home tuition fees, which means that tuition fees are paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

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