Scottish Students Heading South: University Trends

There are a number of reasons why a Scottish student might choose to study in England. Firstly, there are more universities in England, offering a wider range of degree programmes and increased diversity. England is also home to more Russell Group universities, which are research-intensive institutions that maintain the best research, teaching and learning experience, and unrivalled links with local and national businesses and the public sector. English degrees are also shorter, lasting three years on average, compared to four years in Scotland. Scottish students studying in England will have to pay tuition fees, but they can get a loan to cover the cost, which they won't have to start paying back until they are earning over a certain amount.

Scottish students in England pay £9,250 a year

Scottish students who choose to stay in Scotland for university do not have to pay any tuition fees. Instead, the Scottish Government covers the costs of their teaching, which amounted to around £900 million in 2022-23. In contrast, Scottish students who decide to study in England will have to pay the standard undergraduate tuition fee set by English universities. For the 2024 entry, these fees are £9,250 per year.

Scottish students in England are eligible for Student Finance, which can help them cover the cost of tuition through a Tuition Fee Loan. This loan only has to be paid back once the student has completed their course and is earning over £27,660 per year (before tax and other deductions). If the loan is not paid back within 30 years, any remaining debt is wiped out.

In addition to the higher tuition fees, Scottish students studying in England may also face higher living costs. While Scotland is generally considered to be cheaper than England, its capital, Edinburgh, can be expensive. Living and studying in Edinburgh could cost more than living in the North of England.

The decision to study in England or Scotland depends on various factors, including the reputation and rankings of the universities, the length of the degree programme, the specialisation options, and the cost of tuition and living expenses.

While Scotland has 19 higher education institutions, England has over 160, offering Scottish students a more diverse choice when choosing a university and degree programme. England also has more Russell Group universities, which are research-intensive institutions with strong links to businesses and the public sector.

Scottish qualifications are accepted at English universities

Scotland has a diverse and prestigious range of universities and courses. When applying as an undergraduate or postgraduate in Scotland, you can apply to multiple institutions simultaneously. Undergraduate applications are made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Centre (UCAS), while postgraduate applications are often managed by the universities themselves.

There are 19 higher education institutions in Scotland and over 160 in England, which is unsurprising given the difference in population size. This means Scottish students have a more diverse choice when it comes to choosing a university and degree programme.

In 2018-19, there were 5,245 full-time first-degree entrants from England at Scottish universities. Applications for courses starting in 2020 were up 3% year-on-year before the pandemic.

Russell Group: 20 in England, 2 in Scotland

The Russell Group is a self-selected association of 24 public research universities in the United Kingdom. It was established in 1994 to represent its members' interests, principally to the government and Parliament. The group is headquartered in Cambridge and was formed by 17 British research universities.

Of the 24 Russell Group universities, 20 are from England, two are from Scotland, and one each is from Wales and Northern Ireland. The two Scottish universities in the Russell Group are the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow.

The Russell Group universities are world-class, research-intensive institutions that are committed to delivering the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience, and unrivalled links with local and national businesses and the public sector. They are unique in their own right, each with its own history and ethos, but they also share some common characteristics.

Scottish students who wish to study in England can benefit from the proximity of crossing the border to access a diverse range of degree programmes offered by the 20 Russell Group universities in England. It is important to note that Scottish qualifications, including the International Baccalaureate, are accepted at English universities, and Scottish students can apply for Student Finance to cover the cost of undergraduate tuition fees in England.

Degree length: 3 years in England, 4 years in Scotland

There are several differences between studying in Scotland and England that prospective students should be aware of. One significant variation is the length of undergraduate degree programmes. In England, the average length of an undergraduate degree is three years. In contrast, a Bachelor's programme in Scotland typically takes four years to complete.

The structure of the degree programmes also differs between the two countries. In England, students tend to specialise in their chosen subject from the outset. This means that they focus primarily on their major field of study throughout their degree. On the other hand, Scottish universities often adopt a broader approach during the initial years. Students in Scotland usually spend the first two years taking various classes across different disciplines before specialising in a specific subject for the remaining two years.

The graduation outcomes also vary between the two countries. If you successfully complete a humanities or social sciences programme at one of Scotland's four 'ancient' universities (St Andrew's, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh), you will graduate with a Master of Arts degree. In contrast, most English universities award a Bachelor of Arts degree for undergraduate programmes in these fields. It is important to note that the Master of Arts degree from a Scottish university is still considered an undergraduate degree and is not equivalent to a postgraduate Master's qualification.

The duration of a degree programme can significantly impact a student's overall educational experience and future plans. A three-year degree in England may be more appealing to those who wish to enter the job market sooner or progress to postgraduate studies without a lengthy undergraduate commitment. However, the four-year structure in Scotland offers students a wider range of subjects to explore before specialising. This additional time may benefit those who are undecided about their specific area of interest or who value a broader educational foundation.

The decision to study in England or Scotland depends on various factors, including the desired field of study, the reputation of the institution, and the student's personal preferences for their educational journey. Both countries offer world-class universities and diverse choices for degree programmes. Students should carefully consider their priorities, research the specific requirements and offerings of their desired institutions, and make an informed decision based on their academic and career goals.

English students capped at Scottish universities

In 2020, the UK government imposed a cap on the number of English students that universities in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland could admit. The cap, which was initially meant to be temporary, limits each university to increasing their intake of English students by no more than 6.5% compared to the previous year. This restriction was enforced to prevent "over-recruitment" by some institutions and to stabilise the admissions system.

Reaction from Scottish Universities

The decision was met with strong opposition from Scottish university leaders, who viewed it as an intrusion into higher education policy, a devolved matter. They argued that Scottish universities had no part in the admissions problem in England, and that the cap would disproportionately disadvantage Scotland. It was also noted that the overall number of English students at Scottish institutions was much lower, meaning that even a small increase in new entrants could result in some universities breaching the cap.

Impact on Students

The cap on English students could potentially limit the choices and opportunities for students from England who wish to study in Scotland. It may also affect the financial situation of Scottish universities, which expect a drop in the number of international students who pay higher fees.

Wider Implications

The imposition of the cap has caused anger in the devolved administrations of Wales and Northern Ireland, with Welsh and Northern Irish ministers expressing their opposition to the plan. It has also sparked a debate about the role of the UK government in determining student numbers in Scotland and the potential impact on the unified higher education market within the United Kingdom.

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