How to Study in Scotland for International Students
Scotland, one of the states in United Kingdom, should be among your choices if you’re looking to study abroad. This location offers world-class education and opportunities to jump-start your career and engage in character-building adventures. You’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in a rich culture and learn about its nuances compared to the rest of the country.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Scotland currently has 18 universities, from which 17 universities are a part of the public sector and 1 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Scotland you should definitely check out are University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, and University of St Andrews.
Being able to study in Scotland as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Scotland, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Scotland
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Scotland, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 2,500 GBP to 32,100 GBP, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 4,950 GBP and 35,900 GBP.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Scotland
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Scotland, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Queen Margaret University | 7,000 GBP - 15,500 GBP | 14,300 GBP - 21,500 GBP |
| Glasgow School of Art | 16,800 GBP - 19,500 GBP | 8,100 GBP - 29,400 GBP |
| Scotland’s Rural College | 2,500 GBP - 15,000 GBP | 6,000 GBP - 15,800 GBP |
| University of the West of Scotland | 9,250 GBP - 17,300 GBP | 11,300 GBP - 17,300 GBP |
| Robert Gordon University | 4,640 GBP - 17,200 GBP | 5,300 GBP - 18,300 GBP |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | 13,000 GBP | 14,500 GBP - 15,500 GBP |
| Abertay University | 14,000 GBP - 15,000 GBP | 15,000 GBP - 17,000 GBP |
| University of the Highlands and Islands | 13,100 GBP - 14,400 GBP | 9,090 GBP - 13,500 GBP |
| Edinburgh Napier University | 13,800 GBP - 16,000 GBP | 15,100 GBP - 15,700 GBP |
| University of Stirling | 9,250 GBP - 18,800 GBP | 17,300 GBP - 21,400 GBP |
| University of Dundee | 19,500 GBP - 23,700 GBP | 9,950 GBP - 24,100 GBP |
| University of Strathclyde | 15,200 GBP - 23,100 GBP | 16,400 GBP - 23,700 GBP |
| University of Edinburgh | 9,250 GBP - 32,100 GBP | 10,800 GBP - 35,900 GBP |
| University of Glasgow | 20,400 GBP - 24,000 GBP | 20,400 GBP - 25,800 GBP |
| University of Aberdeen | 9,250 GBP - 22,800 GBP | 21,100 GBP - 25,100 GBP |
| University of St Andrews | 26,400 GBP | 4,950 GBP - 25,500 GBP |
| Heriot-Watt University | 9,250 GBP - 20,600 GBP | 17,400 GBP - 23,000 GBP |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Scotland
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Conservatoire of Scotland | 18,400 GBP - 19,400 GBP | 11,800 GBP - 26,500 GBP |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Scotland, check out the Cheap Universities in Scotland!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Scotland for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Scotland, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Scotland, English is the main language of instruction. An academic institution in Scotland may require non-native English speakers to prove language proficiency by taking standardized English tests, such as the International English Language Testing System also known as IELTS, and the Test Of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL. You can also check out if your target university is accepting a Duolingo English Test score because some universities in Scotland are accepting Duolingo scores. When you take any of these tests, note that you’ll need to get at least the required minimum score to qualify for your preferred university.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Scotland and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Queen Margaret University
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 5.5
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Glasgow School of Art
Bachelor’s degree
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL: 72
- Bachelor's English Language Requirements Page
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL: 72
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Scotland
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Scotland have online applications available on their websites, like University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Scotland.
University of Edinburgh
- Official Website
- Domestic Bachelor's Admissions Page
- International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic Master's Admissions Page
- International Master's Admissions Page
University of Glasgow
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
University of St Andrews
- Official Website
- Domestic and International Bachelor's Admissions Page
- Domestic and International Master's Admissions Page
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Scotland differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Scotland.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Scotland
If you’re going to study in Scotland, you will need to apply for a student visa in United Kingdom
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in United Kingdom. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Tier 4 (General) student visa
To start your student visa application in Scotland, you will need to present the following:
- Valid passport
- Evidence of financial means to fund studies
- Colored passport-sized photos
- Tuberculosis screening, if required
- CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) reference number
- An ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in United Kingdom is 363 GBP.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Prepare all your visa requirements.
- Prove your identity prior to starting your application. Depending on your nationality, you will either need to provide your biometric information to a visa application center in your country or log into your UK Visas and Immigration account and scan your proof of identity there.
- You will be given further instructions after providing your proof of identity.
- Complete the rest of the application
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Scotland. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!