Funding
It's important to plan how you will finance your studies well in advance of starting your course.
Funding sources available to you depend, in the first instance, on where you come from, but also include funding for disabled students and part-time students.
If you are struggling financially, or are unsure about managing your finances as a student, please visit our Money Matters webpage.
Undergraduate students from Scotland
Undergraduate students from Scotland
Residents of Scotland studying on undergraduate programmes in Scotland normally have their fees paid by the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). SAAS also provides access to student loans and a range of other support – Young Students' Bursary, Independent Students' Bursary, Additional Loan and Supplementary Grants.
Read the SAAS Funding Guides to find out more about all the funding support available, including eligibility criteria.
Student Awards Agency Scotland - SAAS - Funding Your Future
Nursing students
You can find details of the specific funding available to Nursing and Midwifery students.
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
If you are classed as being ordinarily resident in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you will be required to pay tuition fees for each year of your course.
You may be entitled to an additional student loan to cover tuition costs. This loan will be added to your existing student loan balance and repayments will begin after you leave your course and your income exceeds the relevant repayment threshold. The amount you repay depends on when you started your studies and which repayment plan applies to you.
- Student Finance England - Student finance for undergraduates: Overview - GOV.UK
- Student Finance NI - Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Student Finance Wales - Home | Student Finance Wales
You may also be interested in the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) scheme, which launches in January 2027.
International students
International students
Most students moving to Scotland from outside the UK are classed as international students and will pay international student fees.
Check our fees, funding and scholarships guidance for information. This includes advice on Canadian and United States student aid, and our international scholarships - like the EU Scholarship for students who have been resident in the EU/EEA/Switzerland for at least 3 years before the start of their course.
Disabled students
Disabled students
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) funding can be used to cover additional study-related expenses that arise specifically as a result of your disability. It is available to full-time Higher Education students and part-time students studying at least 50% of a full-time equivalent higher education course.
Student services staff at your enrolling campus can advise you on the DSA process and the appropriateness of making an application to your funding body. Further information is available on our DSA page.
If you have a disability or additional support need please contact the campus where you plan to be/are enrolled as soon as possible, where student services staff will be pleased to discuss your requirements.
Funding for part-time students
Funding for part-time students
If you are a Scottish student studying part time on an undergraduate programme in Scotland you may be eligible to have your fees paid by the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), through the part-time fee grant.
Read the SAAS part-time funding guide to find out more about who qualifies for this funding support.
Taught postgraduate students from Scotland
Taught postgraduate students from Scotland
Loans
Eligible Scotland domiciled students studying full time on a taught postgraduate diploma or masters may be able to access loans up to £13,900 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). This comprises a tuition fee loan up to £7,000 and a non-income assessed living cost loan of £6,900.
Part-time students undertaking any taught postgraduate diploma or masters who meet the residency eligibility can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £3,500 per year. Part time students are not eligible for living cost loans.
Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.
Postgraduate support - rest of the UK students
Postgraduate support - rest of the UK students
Masters
If you are from the rest of the UK and meet the eligibility requirements you may be able to apply for tuition fee and living cost support from the relevant student finance department:
Doctoral
If you are starting a doctoral degree and live in England or Wales, you could get a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan to help with course fees and living costs:
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and bursaries
Various scholarships, discretionary funds and bursaries are available to our students throughout the academic year.