Savanna Hoffman
The United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, or Brexit, has resulted in changes to the tuition fees EU students pay when studying in Scotland. Previously, EU students were treated as home students, paying the same tuition fees as Scottish students. However, starting in the 2021/22 academic year, new EU students are now classified as international students, resulting in higher tuition fees and the loss of access to UK student loans. There are exceptions, however, for EU students with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who may still be eligible for home fee status and student support. The tuition fees for EU students vary depending on the university and programme, with more prestigious universities typically charging higher fees. Scholarships and bursaries are also available to help finance studies in Scotland, especially for international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fee status | Home, Rest of UK (RUK), or International |
| Undergraduate fees for Scottish students | Paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) |
| Undergraduate fees for EU students | Paid by SAAS before 2021; now treated as international students |
| Postgraduate fees for Scottish and RUK students | Set by individual institutions |
| Postgraduate fees for EU students | International fees |
| Scholarships and bursaries | Offered by many universities in Scotland |
| Saltire Scholarships | Offered by the Scottish Government for students from USA, Canada, India, Pakistan, Japan, or China |
| Fee range for international undergraduates | £11,400 to £38,000 per year |
| Average fee for international undergraduates | £22,000 per year |
| Fee range for international postgraduates | £11,400 to £38,000 per year |
| Average fee for international postgraduates | £17,100 per year |
| Undergraduate fees for UK students | Up to £9,535 per year |
| Undergraduate fees for Scottish students | Capped at £1,820 for 2025-2026 |
| Undergraduate fees for RUK students | £9,535 for 2025-2026 |
| Exceptions for EU students to pay UK home fees | Settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme; Irish citizen; started course before August 2021; UK national living in the EU |
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What You'll Learn
EU students in Scotland: 'Home' or 'international' fees?
The United Kingdom, which includes Scotland, left the European Union (EU) on January 31, 2020, in a process known as "Brexit." This change has impacted the way EU students are classified and the tuition fees they pay when studying in Scotland.
Prior to Brexit, EU students in Scotland were typically classified as "home" students, resulting in lower tuition fees compared to non-EU international students. Scottish students and students from EU countries enjoyed the lowest fees, which were often covered by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for undergraduate degrees.
However, post-Brexit rules have altered the landscape for EU students. Now, EU students are generally classified as international students, resulting in higher tuition fees. This change took effect from the 2021/22 academic year, with new higher education students from the EU no longer qualifying for home fee status and free tuition. As a result, EU students now pay the same tuition fees as other international students when studying in Scotland.
There are a few exceptions to the new rules. EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK, including Irish citizens, may still be eligible for home fee status and the associated benefits. Additionally, some universities in Scotland offer special discounts, scholarships, or bursaries specifically for EU students to help offset the higher costs. It's important for prospective EU students to check with individual institutions to understand their specific fee structure and any available financial support.
While studying in Scotland can be expensive, the country remains a popular destination for international students due to its world-class universities, vibrant student communities, and high quality of life. The Scottish government and individual universities offer various scholarships and bursaries to assist with tuition fees and living costs, making it crucial for students to explore these options when planning their educational journey in Scotland.
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EU student fees at Scottish universities
The United Kingdom, of which Scotland is a part, left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020. This has impacted the tuition fees that EU students pay at Scottish universities. Before Brexit, EU students at British universities paid the 'home fee', which is the same as UK students. Now, most EU students are classified as international students, which means they pay higher tuition fees and have no access to UK student loans.
However, there are some exceptions. EU students with settled or pre-settled status in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme can still pay the home fee. This includes Irish citizens, thanks to the Common Travel Area agreement, and UK nationals living in the EU who meet certain rules. To qualify as a settled person, an individual must ordinarily reside in the UK without any immigration restrictions on the length of their stay. EU students who started their studies before the 2021/22 academic year will also continue to pay the same fees as Scottish students for the duration of their course.
The tuition fees for EU students at Scottish universities depend on the university and programme. Postgraduate programmes do not differentiate between Scottish and Rest of the UK (RUK) students. The University of St Andrews, for instance, charges £31,670 for the Faculty of Arts, Divinity or Science, and £37,730 for the Faculty of Medicine for the 2025-2026 academic year. The University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow are also expected to be more expensive than other Scottish universities.
Scottish universities offer scholarships and bursaries to assist with tuition fees or living costs. The Saltire Scholarships, sponsored by the Scottish Government, are a popular option for postgraduate students from certain countries. Undergraduate students from Scotland are eligible for home tuition fees, which are paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
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Scholarships and bursaries for EU students in Scotland
Since the UK's departure from the EU, EU students have faced higher tuition fees and new visa costs when studying in Scotland. EU students starting a course in the academic year 2021-22 or later are required to pay international student fees. Each university in Scotland will set its own fees for EU students. However, EU nationals with 'settled' or 'pre-settled' status in the UK remain eligible to apply for home tuition fees, providing they meet the residency conditions.
To assist with the cost of tuition fees or living costs, many universities in Scotland offer scholarships and bursaries. The Saltire Scholarship scheme, for example, is a Scottish Government programme offered in collaboration with Scottish universities. It is designed to help ease the negative impact of Brexit on student numbers and strengthen links with the EU. The scholarship is available for Masters level postgraduate study, with undergraduate level considered on a discretionary basis. Colleges will consider applications for Higher National (HN) level, Higher National Certificate (HNC), or Higher National Diploma (HND).
The British Chevening Scholarships is another scholarship programme funded by the UK government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. It offers full financial support for any eligible master's degree at any UK university, as well as access to exclusive academic, professional, and cultural experiences. The Fulbright Awards Programme offers awards for US citizens to study abroad in the UK, including postgraduate awards.
Additionally, the Commonwealth Scholarship Fellowship Plan (CSFP) allows citizens of Commonwealth countries to study in the UK, including undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The Young Students' Bursary is available for students from low-income households, with awards ranging from £500 to £1,750 depending on the household income.
To find out more about specific scholarships and bursaries available, it is recommended to visit the websites of the institutions you are interested in applying to, as well as the Study UK website (educationuk.org) and the British Council website (britishcouncil.org).
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'Settled' or 'pre-settled' status for EU students in Scotland
Scotland is a popular study destination with many world-class universities. The tuition fees at Scottish universities usually differ between "home" students and "international" students. Students from the EU have so far been treated the same as "home" students, meaning lower tuition fees. However, since the United Kingdom—of which Scotland is a part—left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, things have changed. Now, most EU students are classified as international students, which means higher tuition fees and no access to UK student loans in most cases.
If you are an EU student in Scotland, you may need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK. You will get settled or pre-settled status depending on how long you have been living in the UK. The deadline for applying for most people was 30 June 2021. 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.
From the academic year 2021-2022 onwards, EU nationals who do not have "settled" or "pre-settled" status will be treated as international students for tuition fees. EU students who start a new course in the academic year 2021-22 will pay international student fees. Each university will set its own fees for EU students.
If you have settled status or are an Irish citizen, you might still pay home fees. Otherwise, you will need to budget for full international rates plus visa and health costs.
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Postgraduate EU student fees in Scotland
The United Kingdom, of which Scotland is a part, left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020. This has impacted the tuition fees that EU students have to pay to study in the UK. While Scottish students and students from EU countries ("Home" students) previously paid the lowest fees, EU students are now treated as international students and have to pay international student fees. This means higher tuition fees and no access to UK student loans in most cases.
However, there are a few exceptions where you might still pay UK home fees:
- You have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (you had to apply before June 2021)
- You're an Irish citizen, thanks to the Common Travel Area agreement
- You're already studying and started your course before August 2021
- You're a UK national living in the EU who meets certain rules
If you're a postgraduate student from Scotland or the rest of the UK, you will need to pay a tuition fee set by the individual institution. For postgraduate programmes, Scottish universities do not differentiate between Scottish and Rest of UK (RUK) students. The cost of your university education mostly depends on your fee status (whether you're a "home", "RUK", or "international" student) and the level you plan to study at.
Tuition fees for postgraduate EU students have changed to international fees starting in the academic year 2021-2022. Each university will set its own fees for EU students, so please visit the university website for specific details. Only EU nationals with 'settled' or 'pre-settled' status in the UK remain eligible to apply for home tuition fees, providing they meet the residency conditions.
There are other ways to finance your studies in Scotland, such as scholarships and bursaries. One popular scholarship programme is the Saltire Scholarships sponsored by the Scottish Government. They are generally open to students from the USA, Canada, India, Pakistan, Japan, or China who want to pursue a Master's degree.
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Frequently asked questions
EU students are typically charged international student fees, which are higher than home student fees. However, EU students with pre-settled or settled status in the UK are likely to have a 'Home (Scotland)' fee status and may be eligible for home tuition fees, which are paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
The tuition fees for EU students in Scotland vary depending on the university and programme. The average fee for international undergraduates is about £22,000 per year, but it can range from £11,400 to £38,000.
Yes, there are several scholarships and bursaries available for EU students in Scotland. One popular scholarship programme is the Saltire Scholarships, sponsored by the Scottish Government. Additionally, individual universities may offer their own scholarships and bursaries.
No, postgraduate students from the EU are typically charged international fees, which are higher than undergraduate fees. The average fee for international postgraduate students is around £17,100 per year.
Yes, there are a few exceptions. EU students with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme may still pay home fees. Additionally, Irish citizens are exempt from international fees due to the Common Travel Area agreement.
