Is Uni Free In Scotland For English Students?

Key Takeaways

• University is not free in Scotland for students from England.

• Free tuition in Scotland generally applies only to Scottish (and some EU/EEA) students who meet residency rules.

• English students can study in Scotland, but they normally fund this through Student Finance England loans.

• Fees in Scotland for English students are broadly similar to fees in England.

Many English students have heard that “university is free in Scotland.” It’s natural to wonder whether this applies to you, too. It is an understandable misconception, especially when friends, siblings, or social media posts talk about free tuition north of the border.

The reality is more nuanced. While most Scottish students don’t pay tuition fees up front, this policy does not automatically extend to students from England. Whether you pay depends on your residency status, not just on where you choose to study.

This article explains whether uni is free in Scotland for English students, who qualifies for free tuition, how much you would typically pay, and what funding options are available to you.

The Scottish Tuition Fee System Explained

Scotland has a different university funding system from England. For many Scottish students, the government pays their tuition fees directly to the university, so they don’t have to take out a tuition fee loan, unlike students in England.

In simple terms, if you’re classed as a “home” student in Scotland, you usually do not pay tuition fees upfront for your first undergraduate degree. Instead, your fees are covered through public funding from the Scottish Government.

Whether this applies to you depends on where you are considered “ordinarily resident” before you start your course. This is why some UK students receive free tuition in Scotland while others do not.

Who Gets Free Tuition in Scotland?

Free tuition in Scotland generally applies to:

• Students who are ordinarily resident in Scotland

• Some students from the European Union, depending on current rules and their residency status

• Certain students with specific immigration or settled status, depending on circumstances

To be classed as ordinarily resident in Scotland, you usually need to have been living there for a set period before starting your course, typically three years, for reasons other than full-time education.

If you meet these residency requirements, the Scottish Government will normally cover your tuition fees for your first undergraduate degree at a Scottish university.

Why Don’t English Students Get Free Tuition?

English students don’t receive free tuition in Scotland because education funding is devolved. This means that decisions about tuition fees are made separately by each part of the UK.

The Scottish Government has chosen to fund tuition for Scottish students through general taxation. The UK Government does not provide equivalent funding for students from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland studying in Scotland, so universities charge them tuition fees instead.

These fees help to fund teaching and facilities, while still maintaining free tuition for eligible Scottish students.

How Much Do English Students Pay to Study in Scotland?

English students are classed as “rest of UK” students when they apply to Scottish universities. This means they are normally charged tuition fees, just as students from Wales and Northern Ireland are.

Tuition Fee Costs for 2026

Each university sets its undergraduate fees individually. For the 2026 academic year, most English students studying at a Scottish university can expect to pay tuition fees of up to £9,250 per year for a standard undergraduate degree.

This is the same maximum fee that universities in England can charge English students. Many Scottish universities charge close to this amount for “rest of UK” students.

Specialist or longer courses, such as medicine, veterinary science, or architecture, may have higher fees. Consult each individual university’s website (opens in a new tab) for exact figures.

How Scottish University Fees Compare to England

For most English students, studying in Scotland is not cheaper than studying in England in terms of tuition fees. The typical cost of around £9,250 per year is very similar in both countries.

However, there is one important difference to consider. Most undergraduate degrees in Scotland last four years, compared with three years in England.

This means that, even though the annual fee is similar, English students may pay for an extra year of tuition and living costs if they study in Scotland. Over the full degree, this can make a Scottish course more expensive overall.

That extra year isn’t wasted time, though. The first year of degree courses in Scotland is usually broader in scope, allowing students to study a range of subjects before specialising. This can be helpful if you’re still figuring out your interests and strengths.

Beyond tuition, overall costs can also vary depending on where a student lives. Cities such as Glasgow, Dundee, or Aberdeen can be more affordable than parts of England. This may help to offset some of that additional year’s costs.

Check out the University Advice section of our Learning Hub for more support to help you make your higher education choices.

Student Loan and Funding Options for English Students

Even though you don’t get free tuition in Scotland as an English student, you can still access the same student finance system you would use if you were studying in England. This means you usually don’t have to pay your fees upfront.

Student Finance England

If you’re an English student planning to study in Scotland, you can apply to Student Finance England (opens in a new tab) for a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of your course. This loan is paid directly to your university, so you don’t normally need to arrange payment yourself.

You can also apply for a maintenance loan to help with living costs such as accommodation, food, and travel. How much you receive depends on your household income and whether you live at home or away from home while you study.

Applications are made online through the UK government student finance portal, usually in the spring before your course starts. It is a good idea to apply on time, even if you are still waiting for your exam results or your final university offer.

Student Information Scotland (opens in a new tab) offers advice and support about funding for further education courses.

Scholarships and Bursaries

Many Scottish universities offer scholarships, bursaries, or hardship funds that you can apply for as an English student. Unlike loans, this money does not usually need to be repaid.

Awards vary by university, but may be based on factors such as:

• your academic achievement

• your household income

• your chosen subject

• widening participation criteria.

Some universities also offer targeted funding for students from certain parts of England or for specific courses. It is worth checking individual university websites or contacting their admissions or student support teams to see what you might be eligible for.

Residency Rules and Exceptions

Whether you pay fees in Scotland depends on where you are considered “ordinarily resident” before you start your course.

If you normally live in England, you will usually be classed as an English student and charged tuition fees at a Scottish university, even if you move to Scotland shortly before starting your degree.

There are some limited exceptions. You might be treated differently if, for example:

• you have lived in Scotland for several years before applying

• you or your family have strong, settled ties to Scotland

• your residence in Scotland is not mainly for the purpose of studying.

Each case is assessed individually by the university. If you think your situation might be unusual, it is worth contacting the admissions or fees team before you accept a place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Become a Scottish Resident to Get Free Tuition?

In most cases, no. Moving to Scotland shortly before starting university will not usually change your fee status. 

You usually need to have been ordinarily resident in Scotland for several years for non-study reasons before you apply. Universities assess this individually.

Do Welsh and Northern Irish Students Pay Fees in Scotland?

Yes. Like English students, students from Wales and Northern Ireland usually pay tuition fees to study at Scottish universities. 

Only students who meet the Scottish residency criteria typically receive free tuition.

What Happens If I Move to Scotland Before Starting University?

If you move shortly before your course begins, you will usually still be treated as an English student for fee purposes. 

Your fee status depends on your residence history, not where you live in the months immediately before university.

Are Postgraduate Courses Free in Scotland for English Students?

No. Postgraduate courses are not free for English students. 

Individual universities set postgraduate fees, and all UK students typically pay, regardless of whether they are from Scotland, England, Wales, or Northern Ireland.

Final Thoughts

Although university is not free in Scotland for English students, studying there can still be a great option if you value the four-year degree structure, different teaching style, or specific courses on offer. The key is to weigh the total cost, including the extra year of study, against the benefits of your chosen university and course.

Remember that you can usually cover your tuition fees through Student Finance England, and many universities offer scholarships or bursaries that can reduce your overall costs.

If you are unsure about your fee status or funding options, check your residency situation early and speak to the university’s admissions or fees team before you accept a place.

References:

• Member Universities | Scotland (opens in a new tab)

• Apply online for student finance - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

• Student Information Scotland (opens in a new tab)