Janice Lozano
Scotland is a popular destination for international students due to its world-class universities, vibrant student communities, and great quality of life. However, studying in Scotland can be expensive, with fees depending on the university, programme, and fee status. Scottish students and students from EU countries (called Home students) pay the lowest fees, while students from outside the EU fall into the category of International students and usually have to pay higher tuition fees. From the academic year 2021-2022 onwards, EU students will pay international student fees, with each university setting its own fees. Undergraduate students from Scotland are eligible for home tuition fees, which 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 set by the individual institution.
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What You'll Learn
Undergraduate fees for Scottish and EU students
Undergraduate fees in Scotland vary depending on a student's fee status. Students are classified as either 'home', 'rest of UK' (RUK), or 'international' students. Scottish students and students from EU countries are typically considered 'home' students and pay the lowest fees. Undergraduate home fees are capped by the Scottish Government; for the 2025-2026 academic year, these fees are set at £1,820.
Following Brexit, the UK government announced that EU/EEA and Swiss students would lose their home fee status from the 2021/22 academic year onwards. As a result, EU students starting a new course in 2021-22 will pay international student fees, which are set by each university. However, EU nationals who are 'settled' or 'pre-settled' in the UK may still be eligible for home tuition fees if they meet residency conditions. For example, EU nationals with settled status who live in Scotland and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years may be eligible for home fee status.
Irish nationals living in the Common Travel Area of the UK and Ireland are also entitled to apply for funding from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). SAAS provides funding for undergraduate students from Scotland, covering tuition fees for those studying for their first degree. Students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are not eligible for SAAS funding but can apply for living cost grants and student loans from their home funding body.
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Postgraduate fees for Scottish and EU students
Scottish and EU students typically pay lower tuition fees than international students. Scottish students are eligible for 'home' fee status, while EU students are usually classified as 'international' students. However, EU students who have been granted 'settled' or 'pre-settled' status under the EU Settlement Scheme are eligible for 'home' fee status and student support. This includes European Economic Area (EEA) and Swiss nationals.
Following Brexit, the Scottish Government announced that new EU students arriving from the 2021/22 academic year would no longer qualify for 'home' fee status and free tuition. Instead, they would pay international student fees. Each university sets its own fees for EU students, and you should 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.
For undergraduate degrees, Scottish and EU students with 'home' fee status do not pay direct tuition fees. Their fees are commonly covered by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). However, this exemption does not apply to students from England, Wales, or Northern Ireland ("Rest of UK" or "RUK" students).
For postgraduate programmes, Scottish universities do not differentiate between Scottish and RUK students. Both Scottish and RUK students need to pay a tuition fee, which is set by the individual institution. Postgraduate students from the EU also pay international fees starting in the 2021-2022 academic year.
The cost of a university education in Scotland depends on the fee status and the level of study. The more prestigious and competitive the university, the higher the tuition cost. Scholarships are a great way to finance your studies, especially if you are an international student facing higher tuition costs. The Saltire Scholarships, sponsored by the Scottish Government, are a popular programme open to students from the USA, Canada, India, Pakistan, Japan, or China pursuing a Master's degree.
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Scholarships for international students
Generally, all students have to pay fees to study at a university in Scotland. The amount depends on the university and programme, as well as the fee status of the student. EU students usually pay less than non-EU international students. Undergraduate home fees for Scottish students are capped by the Scottish Government at £1,820 for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Scottish universities offer scholarships, fellowships, and grants for international students pursuing bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees. These scholarships are offered by universities themselves, as well as third parties, such as governments or organisations in the student's home country. The Scottish Government, for example, offers scholarships for international students, including Pakistani women and girls pursuing bachelor's degrees in Education, Sustainable Energy, Food Security, and Health Sciences. The University of Dundee also offers the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa Scholarship to African female students.
The Saltire Scholarships, sponsored by the Scottish Government, are open to students from the USA, Canada, India, Pakistan, Japan, and China who want to pursue a master's degree in a set of focus subjects. The GREAT Scholarships are another example of scholarships offered by the UK government to students from 18 countries. Additionally, subject-specific scholarships are often offered by individual departments for students studying a particular course or subject. Equal access or sanctuary scholarships are available for refugees and asylum seekers, and disability scholarships support international students with disabilities or special needs.
Students can visit the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website to find out more about funding and scholarships available for international students studying in Scotland.
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Fee status and eligibility
The fees that a student pays in Scotland depend on their fee status. There are three levels of fee status: a ‘home’ fee for students who live in Scotland, a ‘rest of the UK’ (RUK) fee for students who live elsewhere in the UK or Ireland, and an ‘international’ fee for students from outside the UK and the EU.
Scottish students and students from EU countries are called “Home” students and pay the lowest fees. Undergraduate degrees for "Home" students are commonly covered by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland are called “Rest of UK” or “RUK” students and pay higher fees.
From the academic year 2021-2022 onwards, EU students who start a new course will pay international student fees. Each university will set its own fees for EU students. 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. Some EEA and Swiss nationals will be eligible if they meet residency conditions.
Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and internationals with indefinite leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status. Students who are British citizens, have indefinite leave to remain, or have been granted the right to stay in the UK under the EU Settlement Scheme will meet the criteria. A person is ordinarily resident if they normally and lawfully live in an area by choice. Students will not be considered ordinarily resident in Scotland if their main purpose in being there is, or has been, full-time education.
Students from outside the UK and the EU fall into the category of “International” students and usually have to pay higher tuition fees. Postgraduate programmes at Scottish universities do not differentiate between Scottish and RUK students. The cost of university education mostly depends on the student's fee status and the level they plan to study. As a rule of thumb, the more prestigious the university, the higher the tuition cost.
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Brexit's impact on EU student fees
In Scotland, students are classified as either 'home', 'rest of UK' (RUK), or 'international' students. Before Brexit, EU students were considered 'home' students and were therefore eligible for free tuition.
However, Brexit has had a significant impact on the fees that EU students are required to pay at Scottish universities. As a result of the UK's departure from the EU, EU students have lost their 'home fee status' and are now classified as 'international' students. This change means that EU students are no longer eligible for free tuition and must pay the same higher fees as non-EU international students. The tuition fees for international students in Scotland can range from £10,000 to £30,000 per year, a significant increase compared to the pre-Brexit fees.
The reclassification of EU students as international students has had financial implications for Scottish universities, many of which relied on a steady influx of international students to maintain their budgets. With the loss of 'home fee status', Scottish universities have experienced an 81% drop in EU student enrollments, reducing the diversity of perspectives in classrooms and affecting the international learning environment.
In addition to the loss of 'home fee status', Brexit has also impacted EU students' ability to obtain student loans. Before Brexit, EU students could apply for student loans to help cover the cost of tuition. However, due to Brexit regulations, EU students are no longer eligible for these financial support programmes. The combination of increased tuition fees and the loss of financial support has made studying in Scotland significantly more expensive and complicated for EU students, leading to a decrease in EU student enrollments.
To mitigate the impact of Brexit on EU student mobility, Scottish officials have been lobbying for Scotland to rejoin the Erasmus program, which facilitates EU student exchanges. However, negotiations with the EU have not yet led to a concrete agreement. Without targeted solutions, such as rejoining Erasmus or creating financial incentives for EU students, Scotland may struggle to maintain its position as a leading European education hub.
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Frequently asked questions
Generally, all students have to pay fees to study at a university in Scotland. The amount depends on the fee status and where the student is from. EU students usually pay less than non-EU international students.
There are three levels of fee status: a 'home' fee for students who live in Scotland, a rest of the UK (RUK) fee for students from elsewhere in the UK or Ireland, and an international fee for students from outside the UK and EU.
No, Scottish students are eligible for home tuition fees, which are paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). EU students usually pay less than non-EU international students, but more than Scottish students.
Irish nationals living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, the Islands, or Ireland are entitled to apply to SAAS for funding. They may also qualify for home fee status.
Yes, many universities in Scotland offer scholarships and bursaries to assist with tuition fees or living costs. There are also scholarships specifically for international students, such as the Saltire Scholarships sponsored by the Scottish Government.
