The United Kingdom is a country that is comprised of four other countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Difficult to grasp and make sense at the first glance? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Even I happened to enter this state of utter confusion. The point is that understanding a few aspects of the British countryside is difficult. I absolutely relate to that. Hence, I also know that if you are a fellow student wishing to study in Scotland then deciphering the financial language may get tricky at times. I am at your rescue and here’s all that you need to know about student finance in Scotland.
Key Points About Education In Scotland:
- Scottish students and other students from the EU can study for free in Scotland. (That’s right, the government takes this as their responsibility to pay the tuition fees)
- Scottish degrees usually take upto 4 years to complete as opposed to the rest of the UK.
- Students from the rest of the UK are charged up to £9,250 for tuition fees in Scotland.
- There are ample amount of Student Loans in Scotland to cover the living costs of students.
- If you have received any student loan amount in Scotland then you are entitled to repay them only once you completed the course and are earning sufficient.
Depending upon your original country of residence and whether you are from the European Union with ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ status, the finance schemes vary. It also ultimately relies on the universities to calculate their tuition fees. I will try and explain all the schemes in the simplest manner here.
Is It True That Universities Are Free In Scotland?
Most of us while browsing through websites of Scottish universities come across the clause – ‘Free’ or maybe ‘Tuition Fee waived off’. Not everyone is eligible for that. You may be eligible for this clause only if you are a Scottish student. The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) is the body for regulating maximum student loans in Scotland. This body may cover £1,820 a year for you.
For students from the Rest of the UK, the fees vary. It is calculated by individual universities. You may visit the website of specific universities to know the exact figure.
International students (including those from the EU from 2021/22 onwards), here bear most of the brunt. They are charged higher with the range being anything in between £13,000 – £50,000! Again, the exact amount depends on the university you choose. However, if you are really passionate about studying in Scotland, you may head over to UniCreds to find the perfect loan for yourself. Thus, finding student finance in Scotland isn’t much of an issue.
It is safe to say that the Scottish government is merciful towards students though only selectively.
Also Read: A Complete Guide On How To Get Student Loans In India For Studying Abroad
What Are The Eligibility Criteria To Avail SAAS Scholarship?
In order to be eligible for a student loan, free tuition fee and bursaries, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must have lived in the UK for at least 3 years before the onset of your course.
- Must be ‘ordinarily’ resident in Scotland on a given specific date.
- Should possess a ‘settled status’ in the UK.
- This must be your first degree.
In simpler words, this implies that you must live permanently in Scotland and not just for education. I can estimate that this comes down hard on the international students. However, you cannot let go of the world-class top-notch education just because of a lack of financial support. Even though the Scotland government doesn’t offer you help, we do. At Unischolarz, we pay utmost attention to your requirements. There are ample amount of scholarships available on the portal to help you sail through. Search for the student loan amount in Scotland that you desire or get in touch with us. Check it out now!
Living Expense | Student Finance In Scotland
If you are a Scottish student then life is easy. Your living costs can all be tackled through various reimbursements, bursaries and accommodation grants. These can be offered by the university itself or other government agencies. However, if you are an international student then the situation is a bit tight. The highest hikes will occur in your living costs themselves. Food, transport, utility bills and ample other bills may squeeze you to the core. They sure don’t come easy but hey, you can at least minimize them. Check out the options we have for you at UniAcco.
I apologize for breaking this to you but if you are a part-time student then you cannot avail a student maintenance loan in Scotland.
Conclusion | Student Finance In Scotland
In the end, I would only say that it doesn’t matter if you are a Scottish student or an international student, managing your finances has a solution. With the right amount of information and reliable guidance, you can survive happily in Scotland. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any queries.
We hope you enjoyed this blog on the ‘Everything You Need To Know About Student Finance in Scotland’. If you are interested in knowing more about such financial guides we suggest you have a look at our following blogs as well.
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