Scotland 2016/17 - student fees and grants

National student fee

For the short cycle and first cycle, full-time Scottish and EU students do not pay fees. Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland are required to pay fees up to a maximum of GBP 9 000, in line with the maximum fee charged in the rest of the UK. Fees for part-time students are unregulated but are usually a proportion of the full- time equivalent fee.

In the second cycle, fees are unregulated, differing by field of study and full- or part-time attendance.

Fees for international (non-EU) students are unregulated and set by the higher education institutions.

Student grants

Both grants and loans are available to full-time first-cycle students, and amounts depend on the level of household income. The 'Young Student’s Bursary' of up to GBP 1 875 per year is available to students under the age of 25 at the start of their course with a household income below GBP 34 000. The 'Independent Students' Bursary' of up to GBP 875 per year is available to students aged at least 25, with a dependent child or married/co-habiting, and with a household income below GBP 18 999. Additional support is also available to students who incur extra costs related to a disability or learning difficulty.

Depending on household income, 'young students' can take out a maximum loan of GBP 5 750 per year, and 'independent students' a maximum of GBP 6 750 per year. All eligible students can also apply for a non-income assessed student loan of GBP 4 750 per year. Students become liable to repay their loans in the April after they graduate or leave their course. Repayments for loans are normally deducted from earnings by employers at the rate of 9 % of income above GBP 17 495. In 2015, 51 % of full-time students took out loans. In 2016-17, the maximum support package – grants and loans combined – is GBP 7 625.

A part-time fee grant (PTFG) is available to Scottish and EU students studying credits equivalent to 15-59.5 ECTS per academic year. The level of grant is based on a pro-rata amount of the full-time regulated fee.

Loans

Second cycle students can apply for a fee loan of up to GBP 3 400 for eligible full-time courses (GBP 1 700 for part-time). Second cycle students on eligible courses may also apply for a living cost loan of up to GBP 4 500.

Tax benefit for student's parents

Tax benefits for parents and family allowances do not play a role in the student support system

Family allowances

Tax benefits for parents and family allowances do not play a role in the student support system