The UK’s northernmost country, Scotland is a popular option for both national and international students.
Its appeal stems from the presence of world-class universities, improved quality of life, and vibrant student communities. The most popular is the student financing package.
Scotland is known for having a rich financing structure. If you've heard that students in Scotland don't have to pay tuition fees, you're right. If a student meets the conditions, they will be able to study for free.
Who needs to pay?
All students are required to pay tuition fees. The amount varies depending on the fee status and where the student is from. Students from Scotland and EU countries (who began in the academic year 2020/21 or before) are called home students and pays the lowest fees. Student Awards Agency of Scotland (SAAS) usually covers the fees for undergraduate degrees.
For undergraduate degrees, students from the rest of the UK (also called RUK students) i.e., students from Wales, England, and Northern Ireland must pay greater costs than home students, however, there is no difference in fees for postgraduate degrees.
Students who are either from the UK and the EU are classified as international students. Tuition fees for these students are typically higher.
Is university free in Scotland?
Yes, it is free to study in Scotland if the students meet certain criteria. If the student is a UK national who is already residing in Scotland or a national of other EU countries pursuing a first undergraduate degree, then they are not required to pay any tuition fees at Scottish Universities since it will be covered by SAAS. This exemption, however, does not apply to international students or students from the rest of the United Kingdom who have relocated to Scotland only to attend university.
The undergraduate fees for home students are normally 1,820 GBP a year which is covered by SAAS. Although, both RUK students and international students are not eligible for the fee weaver, the undergraduate fees they both pay is different. International students typically pay more ranging from 13,000 to 50,000 GBP a year whereas RUK students pay 9,250 GBP a year.There is no distinction between RUK and Scottish students in post-graduation programs. Tuition fees are almost always required to pursue a post-graduate degree. The cost differs depending upon the university, the programs he/she selects as well as the fee status. Postgraduate fees for all the students i.e., home, RUK, and international are around 5,000 to 15,000 GBP per year.