
The tuition fees for EU students at Scottish universities vary depending on several factors. 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). From the academic year 2021-2022 onwards, only EU nationals who are 'settled' or 'pre-settled' in the UK remain eligible for home tuition fees. Students from outside the UK and the EU are considered 'international' students and usually have to pay higher tuition fees. The tuition fees for postgraduate programmes are set by the individual universities and are generally higher than undergraduate fees.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| EU students' fees at Scottish universities after Brexit | EU students lost their home fee status from the 2021/22 academic year onwards. |
| EU students' fees at Scottish universities before Brexit | EU students were eligible for home fee status and free tuition. |
| Fee status categories | There are three levels of fee status: a 'home' fee, a 'rest of UK' (RUK) fee, and an 'international' fee. |
| Home fee status eligibility | To be eligible for home fee status, students must be 'settled' in the UK and 'ordinarily resident' in Scotland. They must also have lived in the UK for the three years prior. |
| Fee amounts | The home fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is capped at £1,820. The RUK fee is capped at £9,535 for the same period. International fees are set by institutions and are typically much higher. |
| Scholarships and bursaries | Many universities in Scotland offer scholarships and bursaries to assist with tuition fees or living costs. |
| Student loans | EU students are no longer able to apply for student loans. |
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What You'll Learn

EU students' fee status and eligibility for home fees
The fee status of EU students in Scotland has changed over the years, with the most notable shift occurring after the UK's exit from the European Union.
EU Student Fee Status in Scotland Post-Brexit
Following the UK's exit from the EU, 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. This change meant that EU students would now be classified as international students and would have to pay international student fees. Each university sets its own fees for EU students, and these can vary depending on the institution and the course.
Eligibility for Home Fees for EU Students
Despite the loss of automatic home fee status, there are still scenarios where EU students can be eligible for home fees in Scotland. EU nationals who are 'settled' or 'pre-settled' in the UK and meet the residency conditions can remain eligible to apply for home tuition fees. This typically involves having a ''relevant connection'' with Scotland, which means being ''ordinarily resident'' in Scotland and having lived in the UK for the three years prior. Additionally, some EEA and Swiss nationals may be eligible for home fees if they meet the residency requirements.
Scholarships and Financial Support for EU Students
While EU students in Scotland may no longer have access to the same financial support programmes as before Brexit, there are still other options available. Many universities in Scotland offer scholarships and bursaries to assist with tuition fees or living costs. Additionally, EU students can contact the relevant authorities in their home countries to explore what financial support may be offered to support their studies abroad.
Fee Status and Tuition Fees for Postgraduate EU Students
The fee status and tuition fees for postgraduate EU students in Scotland are different from those for undergraduate students. Postgraduate programmes typically require the payment of tuition fees, and the amount depends on the university, programme, and fee status. EU students usually pay less than non-EU international students, but the fees are generally higher than for undergraduate degrees.
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The impact of Brexit on EU students' fees
Brexit has had a significant impact on the fees that EU students are required to pay at Scottish universities. Before Brexit, EU students were generally exempt from paying tuition fees for undergraduate degrees in Scotland, with their fees covered by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This made studying in Scotland an attractive option for many EU students.
However, following the UK's exit from the European Union, the Scottish Government announced that new EU students starting their studies in the 2021/22 academic year and beyond would no longer qualify for "home fee status" and would be classified as "international students" for fee purposes. This change means that EU students are now required to pay international student fees, which are typically much higher than the fees paid by Scottish and other UK students. The exact fees vary depending on the university and the programme of study.
The loss of "home fee status" for EU students also means that they are no longer eligible for certain financial support and benefits that were previously available to them, such as student loans, scholarships, and bursaries. This has further increased the financial burden on EU students wishing to study in Scotland.
It is important to note that there are some exceptions to the changes in fee status. For example, EU nationals who have been granted "settled" or "pre-settled" status under the EU Settlement Scheme and who meet certain residency conditions may still be eligible for "home fee status" and associated benefits. Additionally, the Scottish Government has extended "home fee status" to certain groups, such as young unaccompanied asylum seekers and the children of asylum seekers.
Overall, the impact of Brexit on EU students' fees in Scotland has been significant, with EU students now facing higher tuition fees and reduced access to financial support. This has made studying in Scotland more expensive and potentially less accessible for EU citizens. However, it is worth noting that Scottish universities continue to offer scholarships and bursaries to support students with the cost of tuition fees and living expenses, and EU students may still find opportunities for financial assistance through these programmes.
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Scholarships and bursaries for EU students
As a result of Brexit, the UK government has confirmed that the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Swiss students will lose their home fee status from the academic year 2021/22 onwards. This means that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals coming to Scotland to start a course of study in academic year 2021-22 or later, are not eligible to apply for tuition fee support. They will pay international student fees, which are set by each university.
Despite this, there are still scholarships and bursaries available for EU students. Scholarships are the most common form of funding for EU students, with students usually applying on the basis of academic ability, potential, or talent in another area, like sports or music. These may cover tuition fees in full, reduce them, or contribute to the cost of living and studying away from home. For example, one university’s music scholarship rewards international students with regular lessons and a bursary for related costs.
Bursaries based on students’ personal circumstances, such as coming from a low-income household, are less common. They are usually one-off payments, sometimes to help with travel costs or the cost of settling in.
Some notable scholarships available to EU students include:
- Saltire Scholarships: Sponsored by the Scottish Government, these are generally open to students from the USA, Canada, India, Pakistan, Japan, or China who want to pursue a Master's degree in one of a set of focus subjects.
- British Chevening Scholarships: Funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations, this scholarship offers full financial support to study for any eligible master’s degree at any UK university.
- GREAT Scholarships: Scholarships to UK universities across a variety of subjects, for students from 18 countries.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: Scholarships given to talented individuals with the potential to make a positive impact on the global stage.
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Postgraduate fees for EU students
However, as a result of Brexit, the UK government announced that EU students would lose their "home" fee status starting from the academic year 2021/2022 onwards. This change applies to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Scottish universities. Consequently, EU students enrolling in postgraduate programmes from the academic year 2021-2022 onwards will be charged international student fees, which are typically higher than the fees previously paid by EU students.
It's important to note that the specific amount of postgraduate fees for EU students can vary depending on the university and the programme of study. Each university in Scotland sets its own fees for international students, including those from the EU. Therefore, it is advisable for prospective EU postgraduate students to refer to the website of the specific Scottish university they are interested in applying to, in order to obtain accurate and up-to-date information about the tuition fees they would be required to pay.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Brexit has also impacted the financial support options available to EU students. From 2021 onwards, EU students are no longer able to apply for student loans in the UK, which previously helped many students with their tuition fees. However, there may still be other sources of financial support available, such as scholarships or bursaries, which are typically offered based on academic merit or financial need.
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Additional expenses for EU students
As a result of Brexit, EU students starting a new course at a Scottish university in the academic year 2021-22 or later will pay international student fees. Each university will set its own fees for EU students, so it is important to check the website of the institution you want to apply to for specific details.
Only EU nationals who are ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ in the UK will remain eligible to apply for home tuition fees, providing they meet the residency conditions. For example, EU nationals with settled status who live in Scotland and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years will generally be eligible for home fee status, free tuition, and student loans, bursaries, and grants.
EU students who do not meet the residency requirements will no longer be able to apply for student loans from 2021. This financial support programme has been helping students who wouldn’t be able to pay for their tuition under normal circumstances.
The cost of your university education will depend on your fee status and what level you plan to study at. EU students usually pay less than non-EU international students. For example, tuition fees for postgraduate programmes in Scotland have changed to international fees for EU students starting in the academic year 2021-22.
Many universities in Scotland offer scholarships and bursaries to assist with the cost of tuition fees or living costs. 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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Frequently asked questions
Since the UK's exit from the EU, EU students have lost their home fee status in Scotland. EU students starting a new course in the academic year 2021-22 or later will pay international student fees. However, EU nationals who are 'settled' or 'pre-settled' in the UK remain eligible to apply for home tuition fees, providing they meet the residency conditions.
The fees for EU students at Scottish universities vary depending on the institution and the course. Each university sets its own fees for EU students.
Yes, there are scholarships and bursaries available for EU students at Scottish universities. The Saltire Scholarships, sponsored by the Scottish Government, are open to EU students from the USA, Canada, India, Pakistan, Japan, or China pursuing a Master's degree. Additionally, individual universities in Scotland offer scholarships and bursaries to assist with tuition fees or living costs.
Yes, Irish nationals living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, the Islands, or Ireland, starting a course in Scotland in 2021-22, are entitled to apply for funding from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Additionally, EU students who started their studies before August 1, 2021, are not affected and will pay the same tuition fees as initially agreed.











































