Financial support for medical students in Scotland

If you live in Scotland and remain there to study, you might be eligible for the following financial assistance.

Fees

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) will pay your fees for the duration of your course, direct to your institution.

All new students will be charged £1,820 if you study in Scotland.

If you are studying elsewhere in the UK you may be charged up to £9,250. You can apply to SAAS for a tuition fee loan.

Living costs

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for:

  • Young Students’ Bursary (up to £2,000) or Independent student Bursary (up to £1000)
  • Student Loan for maintenance (up to £7,000)
  • Dependant’s Grant
  • Lone Parent’s Grant
  • Care Leavers’ Grant
  • Disabled Students’ Allowance
  • Childcare Fund

This may differ if you study medicine at St Andrews University. If you are an “independent student” you will receive a smaller bursary and a larger loan

Other financial help

  • Bursaries/scholarships available at Medical Schools
  • Discretionary Funds
  • University Funds – some universities have their own Hardship Funds. Check your university’s website to see what is available.
  • Childcare Fund
  • Child tax credit
  • Working tax credit
  • Welfare benefits

Studying outside Scotland

Fees

  • You can be charged up to £9,250 per year if you study at a university in England, or £9,000 in Wales and Northern Ireland.
  • You’ll be able to apply to SAAS for a student loan for fees which is non income-assessed for the first four years of your course.
  • In the fifth and later years of your course, you can apply for your fees to be covered by SAAS rather than by a tuition fee loan.

Living Costs

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for: 

  • Young Students’ Bursary
  • Student Loan for maintenance
  • Dependant’s Grant
  • Lone Parent’s Grant
  • Care Leavers’ Grant
  • Disabled Students’ Allowance

These are the same as when studying in Scotland.

Other financial help

  • University Bursary Schemes. Your University may ask SAAS for information about your application for student support to help decide your bursary entitlement but you and your family will need to sign the consent form that SAAS will send to you for this to happen.
  • Access to Learning Fund/Support Funds/Financial Contingency Fund (check with your university if this is available).
  • University Funds – some Universities have their own Hardship Funds. Check your university’s website to see what is available.
  • Child tax credit
  • Working tax credit
  • Welfare benefits

Related articles

External links