
Scottish students who are considering studying in England will have to pay the standard undergraduate tuition fee set by the English university they are applying to. For instance, for 2024 entry, the fees are £9,250 per year. However, Scottish students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of their tuition at an English university. This loan does not need to be paid back until the student has completed their course and is earning over £31,395 a year. It is important to note that Scottish students studying at Scottish universities do not have to pay tuition fees as these are covered by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scottish students studying in England | Required to pay the standard undergraduate tuition fee set by the English university |
| Scottish students studying in Scotland | No need to pay tuition fees |
| Scottish students studying in England – tuition fee for 2024 entry | £9,250 a year |
| Scottish students studying in Scotland – tuition fee for 2024 entry | £1,820 a year |
| Scottish students studying in England – eligibility for Student Finance | Yes |
| Scottish students studying in England – eligibility for Tuition Fee Loan | Yes |
| Number of Russell Group universities in Scotland | 2 |
| Number of Russell Group universities in England | 20 |
| Specialization in Scottish universities | Students study a range of subjects in the first two years before specializing in the next two |
| Specialization in English universities | Students specialize in their chosen subject earlier |
| Degree obtained after completing a humanities or social sciences programme at one of Scotland's four 'ancient' universities | Master of Arts |
| Degree obtained after completing a humanities or social sciences programme at most English universities | Bachelor of Arts |
| Scottish qualifications accepted at English universities | Yes |
| Advanced Highers needed to secure an offer at English universities | Not mandatory |
| Living and studying in Edinburgh | More expensive than living in the North of England |
| Living and studying in Newcastle | Ranked 9th in the UK for affordability |
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What You'll Learn
- Scottish students studying in England will have to pay a tuition fee
- Scottish students can get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover English university costs
- Scottish students don't pay tuition fees in Scotland—they're covered by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
- Scottish qualifications are accepted at English universities
- Scottish students studying in England may have higher living costs

Scottish students studying in England will have to pay a tuition fee
Scottish students who want to study in England will have to pay a tuition fee. This is because Scottish universities receive direct public funding for each Scottish student, which is not available for Scottish students studying in England. 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). However, this only applies to Scottish students studying at Scottish universities.
When making decisions on student status, higher education institutions and SAAS follow regulations produced by the Scottish Government. To be eligible for home fee status, students must have a ''relevant connection' with Scotland, meaning they must be 'settled' in the UK and 'ordinarily resident' in Scotland. They must also have lived in the UK for the three years prior.
Scottish students studying in England will have to pay the standard undergraduate tuition fee set by their English university. For 2024 entry, the fees are £9,250 per year. However, Scottish students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of their tuition at an English university. This loan does not need to be paid back until the student has completed their course and is earning over £31,395 per year (before tax and other deductions).
There are some key differences between studying at a Scottish university and an English university. In England, students specialise in their chosen subject earlier, whereas in Scotland, students study a range of subjects in their first two years before specialising in the next two. Additionally, there are more Russell Group universities in England, which are research-intensive universities that maintain the best research and teaching facilities. However, living and studying in Edinburgh may be more expensive than living in the North of England, and Newcastle is just a short train or plane ride away from Scottish cities like Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
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Scottish students can get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover English university costs
Scottish students can get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the costs of studying at an English university. The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) provides a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 per year for Scottish students studying at publicly funded colleges or universities in England. This funding is only available until the student turns 25; if they are older, they are considered an 'independent student'.
To be eligible for this loan, Scottish students must have a 'relevant connection' with Scotland. This means they must be ''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 their course starts.
Scottish students can also apply for living cost grants and student loans from their home funding body when studying in England. They will receive the same level of funding as they would if they were studying in Scotland.
It is important to note that the regulations around student status and fee eligibility can be complex, and students should refer to the relevant university and SAAS for specific information.
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Scottish students don't pay tuition fees in Scotland—they're covered by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
Scottish students don't pay tuition fees when studying at Scottish universities—these fees are covered by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Undergraduate students from Scotland are eligible for home tuition fees, which means that tuition fees are paid by the SAAS. To receive publicly funded student support, including free tuition, loans, bursaries, and grants, students must generally be allocated home status by SAAS.
The regulations around home student status vary across the UK. Universities and higher education institutions in Scotland assign 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 the UK’ (RUK) fee for students who live elsewhere in the UK or Ireland, and an international fee for overseas students. Undergraduate home fees are capped by the Scottish Government at £1,820 for the 2025-2026 academic year. The RUK fee is capped at a middle rate equivalent to the ‘home’ fee charged in England (£9,535 for the 2025-2026 academic year). Overseas fees are set by institutions and can be much higher depending on the course and institution.
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 who have been granted settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme remain eligible for home fee status and student support.
Scottish students who choose to study at English universities will have to pay the standard undergraduate tuition fee set by the university. For instance, for 2024 entry, the fees are £9,250 per year. However, if eligible for Student Finance, Scottish students can obtain a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of tuition at an English university.
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Scottish qualifications are accepted at English universities
Scottish students are eligible for home tuition fees, which means that tuition fees are paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). Undergraduate home fees are capped by the Scottish Government at £1,820 for the 2025 to 2026 academic year. Students from Scotland 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 away from home in Scotland.
Scottish undergraduate courses are typically four years long, while in the rest of the UK, they are three years. This means that a Scottish MA (four years) is roughly equivalent to an English BA (three years). This difference in course length offers Scottish students more exposure to different subjects and the flexibility to change their course direction.
When it comes to fees for students from England studying in Scotland, they are required to pay an annual tuition fee set by the institution they are applying to. These fees vary depending on the university and the course.
It is important to note that the regulations around home student status vary across the UK, and students should refer to the relevant guidelines and consult with their chosen university and SAAS regarding their specific circumstances.
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Scottish students studying in England may have higher living costs
Scottish students who choose to study at English universities will have to pay higher tuition fees than they would at home. While Scottish students at Scottish universities do not have to pay tuition fees, those studying in England will have to pay the standard undergraduate tuition fee set by their English university. For 2024 entry, the fees are £9,250 a year.
Scottish students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of their tuition at an English university. However, they will still face higher living costs than they would in Scotland. The National Union of Students (NUS) revealed in November 2022 that 57% of UK students experienced a rise in their living costs of over £20 per week. Additionally, 25% of students reported having less than £50 left over from their budget each month after paying rent and bills.
Scottish students studying in England will also have to pay for their UK student visa, which allows them to live and study in the UK throughout their course. This costs £490 as a one-off charge. If students plan to stay in the UK for more than six months, they will also need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £470 per year, which gives them access to the UK's National Health Service.
Scottish students may also find that the cost of living is higher in England, depending on the location of their university. For example, London has a higher cost of living than other English cities, and students there can expect to pay around £15-20 per month for a gym membership. On the other hand, Scottish universities are bound by strict recruitment controls, commonly known as 'student number caps', which limit the number of Scottish students they can accept. This increases competition for places and may be a factor in Scottish students' decisions to study in England.
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Frequently asked questions
Scottish students are required to pay tuition fees when studying at English universities. The standard undergraduate tuition fee for 2024 entry is £9,250 per year. However, Scottish students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover these costs.
Undergraduate students from Scotland are eligible for home tuition fees, which are paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). For the 2025-2026 academic year, the fee is capped at £1,820.
There are some differences in the education system and qualifications between Scotland and England. In England, students specialise in their chosen subject earlier, while in Scotland, students typically study a range of subjects in their first two years before specialising. Scottish students can also graduate with a Master of Arts from one of the four 'ancient' universities by completing a humanities or social sciences programme.
Scottish students can apply for student finance, including loans, bursaries, and grants, through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The SAAS can cover tuition fees for Scottish students studying in England. It is recommended to discuss eligibility requirements with the university and SAAS.
In addition to tuition fees, Scottish students studying in England should consider the cost of living and other associated expenses. It is important to research the cost of accommodation, transportation, and other necessities in the desired location.
















