Why Study in Scotland?

The incredible natural beauty, vibrant cities, and epic history of Scotland make it a fascinating place, whether you are curled up with a good book or you are more at home scaling a cliff. According to the 2021 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, this prime location also has a reputation for excellence in education. Scotland has a monopoly on the UK’s share of ancient universities. 4 of the five universities in Scotland were founded before 1600, with the oldest university, St. Andrews University, dating back to the year 1413.

Scotland’s capital is Edinburgh, where the hills of Arthur’s Hills overlook the shop fronts and cobbled streets of the old city. Edinburg was once the epicenter of the Scottish Enlightenment and maintains a repo for creative and intellectual passion.

Every August, Scotland’s capital hosts the largest arts festival in the world – The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. 1000s of music and theatre performances take place over the 3-week event.

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, which has benefited from intense and rapid development in the past years. The city has buzzing modern shopping centers and music venues with Victorian buildings. The West End of Glasgow is a prime location with parks, cafes, and boutiques all within easy reach.

Believe me, and it’s worth leaving the comfort of city life for the untamed countryside of Scotland. The rugged Highlands of the country are open to adventurous people who are up for a challenge. The highest peak in the British Isles ‘Ben Nevis’ is a short trip from Glasgow’s city. Moreover, this fascinating country is surrounded by 100s of tiny islands, out of which only a fraction are inhabited. These isolated and mysterious places are full of charm and have kept their traditional ways of life.

You will always have an option to warm yourself up with a glass of Scotch whiskey in a local pub. According to strict instructions, a Whiskey is only called ‘Scotch’ if made in a Scottish Brewery.

Best Universities in Scotland

University of Edinburgh

The most prestigious institution in Scotland is the University of Edinburgh. It has been ranked one of the best universities globally for law, psychology, arts, and humanities. Students worldwide have the privilege of studying in some of the most enchanting and oldest buildings in the city.

The University of Edinburgh has inspired some of the greatest minds in British histories, such as Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the philosopher David Hume. It is also the same place where Dolly the sheep became the 1st successful example of animal cloning.

University of Glasgow

Glasgow’s lively nightlife and cultural scene owe some debt to the presence of the University of Glasgow. The University of Glasgow is one of the world’s top research universities and produces a massive amount of internationally recognized papers annually. Edinburgh rivals Glasgow for its architecture, with over a hundred listed buildings.

Do you know that three prime ministers and seven noble prize winners have studied at the University of Glasgow? Typically, there are two student unions at the University of Glasgow. This tradition dates from the time when female and male students attended different institutes. The University of Glasgow’s Queen Margaret Union hosts internationally recognized music bands, while Glasgow University Union is popular for sports.

University of Aberdeen

The University of Aberdeen is one of the top universities in the world-famous for graduate employment. The University of Aberdeen campuses are a fascinating mix of new and old and reflect the subject departments they consist of. The campus of Old Aberdeen has a 15th-century state-of-the-art library and chapel. The humanities and arts students can find the ideal atmosphere to study here.

Medicine and life sciences are primarily taught at the high-tech Forester hill campus. The University of Aberdeen also has an Oceanlab research station and a lighthouse field station for marine ecology studies. Thanks to the oil industry of Aberdeen, this wealthy city has lots of upscale bars and restaurants. Aberdeen’s city is also referred to as ‘The Silver City’ due to the stunning Victorian buildings made using glittering granite slabs.

University of Dundee

Established in the year 1967, the University of Dundee can be said as the youngest top-ranked University of Scotland. The University of Dundee’s mission is to transform lives at the local and global level with the help of application, sharing, and creation of knowledge.

Dundee city has an opulent history of scientific innovation, and this is consistently reflected in the strong performance of the university’s STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). International, exchange, and international students can walk downtown to the RRS Discovery, which carried Captain Robert Scott on his 1st voyage to the Antarctic.

University of St. Andrews

The University of St. Andrews is the oldest in Scotland and is situated in the town of St. Andrews on the east coast of Fife. The University of St. Andrews often tops the Scottish universities’ rankings and is famous for its excellent research and academic rigor.

Notable alumni of the University of St. Andrews include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, a handful of Ambassadors, and 6 Nobel laureates.

The university of St. Andrews has boosted efforts to become carbon neutral with a focus on sustainability. The university runs initiatives like the energy-saving competition between the student halls of residence to help achieve this and provides green spaces on campus to grow their product.

Fees in Scotland

Scotland is a world-famous destination for international students due to its great quality of life, vibrant student communities, and many world-class universities. However, studying at this fascinating place can be expensive – so you must prepare early. Read the section that follows to learn about fees at the universities of Scotland.

Typically, all students have to pay fees to study at a Scottish university. The amount will vary as per where you are from and on the fee status.

• The lowest tuition fees are paid by the students from European Union countries and Scottish students. The fees are mostly covered by the SAAS (Student Awards Agency for Scotland) for undergraduate degrees.
• Students from Northern Ireland, Wales, and England are known as ‘RUK or Rest of UK’ Students. They have to pay higher than home students (students from EU nations and Scottish students) for undergraduate degrees, but they typically pay for postgraduate degrees.
• Students outside the European Union and the United Kingdom fall into international and international students. They typically have to pay higher tuition fees.

You can also study tuition-free in Scotland, but only in a special case – If you are a citizen of another European Union nation, or if you are a United Kingdom citizen who is already a resident of Scotland, and you are studying for your 1st undergraduate degree (meaning a Scottish undergraduate Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree), then there are 0 direct tuition fees. Instead, your tuition fees will be covered by SAAS, i.e., the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

However, this exemption does not apply to students from Northern Ireland, Wales, and England who would move to Scotland’s prime location for the university, and it also does not apply to international and international students (the students from outside the EU).

Students typically have to pay tuition fees if they want to pursue a postgraduate degree. The amount depends on the fee status as well as the program and the university. European Union students typically pay less than non-European Union international and international students. Scotland’s universities do not differentiate much between ‘Rest of UK’ and Scottish students for postgraduate programs.

Your Scottish university education cost primarily depends on your fee status (whether you are an international, a RUK, or a home student) and at what level you plan to study.

• For Home Students –

Undergraduate fees – 1820 GBP (but this is covered by SAAS in mostly all the cases)

Postgraduate fees – 5000 GBP to 15000 GBP

• Rest of the students of the United Kingdom –

Undergraduate fees – typically 9250 GBP for the 1st three years.

Postgraduate fees – 5000 GBP to 15000 GBP

• International students –

Undergraduate fees – 10000 GBP to 26000 GBP

Postgraduate fees – 15000 GBP to 30000 GBP

Those mentioned above are just general ranges, and there may be more expensive or cheaper courses. As a general rule of thumb, the more prestigious the Scottish university is, the more difficult it is to get into it, and the higher the tuition fees. For example, the University of Glasgow and the University of Edinburgh will be more expensive than other universities in Scotland.

Accommodation in Scotland

The universities in the nation know how crucial the correct accommodation is to their international and international students, which is why almost all of Scotland’s universities offer a wide range and variety of living options. From the comfort of student halls of residence, which provide catering and cleaning, Scotland has the perfect combination of places to study, live, and meet new individuals to the independence of their student houses. Your chosen university will provide complete details on what they have available for you.

•Self – Catering

If you are looking for a home away from home where you can relax comfortably in your own space, then self–catering is the ideal choice for you. In this country, this accommodation type options are endless, with hostels, lodges, and apartments available to pick from.

•Guesthouses

Picking a bed with a break is a sure-fire way for meeting people who are passionate about the nation and willing to make your stay as an international and international student fantastic. Choosing this option will make you wake up to a homemade breakfast, and you can enjoy a relaxed stay with this option.

•Hostels

Hostels accommodation comes in all sizes and shapes, with most of them providing a unique experience that goes well beyond offering a place to rest your head at night.

Lifestyle

If we speak about the lifestyle of Scottish people, you must know that it is super cool. The people of Scotland are extremely friendly. Apart from the scenic beauty, Scotland is well known for welcoming international students. The people of Scotland are always glad to assist the foreigners by offering a warm welcome. Along with this, they suggest exceptional advice on the best places in the town where you can eat and drink!

The brilliant surrounding and behavior of Scottish people is why there has been a dramatic increase in Scotland’s population in the last few years. Under a recent survey by Scotland’s government, around 91% of people believe Scotland is a perfect place for residing, among which 86% recommend it strongly.

Looking at the low cost of living and excellent lifestyle, immigration is driving in Scotland a huge amount.

Post-Study-Work Opportunities in Scotland

If you are from outside the United Kingdom and want to stay in Scotland for post-study-work opportunities, you will need a visa.

Following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, students from the European Union and EEA, including Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland, who arrive in the country from 1st January this year will need to apply for the new student route. The Scotland Government website provides an intro for European Union students on Scotland points-based immigration policy. There are also useful Frequently Asked Questions and references pages provided by the Universities of Scotland, and all of these are updated regularly with the new info.

Students from all other nations outside the European Union will need to apply for a visa to study and work post-college in Scotland. The United Kingdom Government manages immigration and visas in Scotland. It is the best place to visit for info about applying for visas and up-to-date info on visa requirements.

You can apply for a start-up visa if you want to set up a business in Scotland.

For this, you must be supported by an authorized body that is either a business organization with a history of supporting the United Kingdom’s entrepreneurs or the United Kingdom’s higher educational institution. You can stay in Scotland for two years with a Start-up Visa, and after this period, you can also switch to a General work visa.

Jobs and Careers in Scotland

When it comes to career and job opportunities, Scotland has something for everyone. As far as we are concerned, we have got the nation if you have got the skills.

• Healthcare

The NHS of Scotland (National Health Service) is the nation’s biggest employer, providing jobs to individuals in over seventy different professions. This essentially means that there are many exciting career and job opportunities up and down the country for individuals looking to work in the social care and healthcare sector.

Scotland actively encourages applications from qualified staff outside the United Kingdom, making Scotland the ideal place for your career aspirations. Whether you are a nursing professional or a trained medical professional, have experience in other healthcare industry sectors such as support services or administrative services, or are a healthcare scientist – come and check Scotland out.

• Teaching and Education

Teaching and Education is one of the most rewarding professions out in Scotland, and this fascinating place is an ideal location to embark on a career in teaching. After all, Scotland has led the globe to commit to excellence in education for hundreds of years. Do you know that Scotland is the 1st country in the world to provide universal education to girls and boys, dating way back to the 17th century?

In Scotland, you can enjoy the satisfaction of a career that is personally challenging while offering a generous holiday entitlement, career development prospects, an excellent pension scheme, and a competitive salary.

• Technologies

Connecting to Scotland’s tech industry couldn’t be easier, with the right infrastructure, resources, and companies all at your doorstep. It is easy to see why global companies such as Outplay, Hewlett Packard, and CGI chose Scotland as their 1st home.

Each year more than ten thousand students graduate in digital-related and software disciplines from the universities in Scotland. On top of this, this country employs more than 161000 people in over ten thousand engineering and technology companies, emphasizing its commitment to the tech sector.

• Sciences

If you are searching for a job in the sciences, it might interest you that this fascinating country is home to one of the biggest science clusters in the European continent. Scotland’s pioneer research, alongside nearby world-renowned organizations, medical clinics, and hospitals, means that you can bring new concepts to life-changing products and life to market in Scotland.

There are exciting and interesting career and job opportunities at every level from hands-on researcher, technologist, and scientist to CEOs and marketing and sales. Moving to this amazing nation could be the breakthrough you have been looking for!

• Oil and Gas and Renewables

Scotland’s decades of experience in the North Sea means that it is recognized as a global hub for the oil & gas industry. They are also at the forefront of pioneering renewable energy resources. This combination makes Scotland an ideal location to work in the energy sector.

Scotland’s coastline is well-served by their port network, ensuring they are well-connected to the rest of the United Kingdom, Europe, and the globe. No matter what part of the industry you are looking to work in, Scotland has a diverse and vast selection of career and job opportunities.

• Creative Industries

Scotland is at the top of its game when it comes to creative industries, and there are plenty of exciting career and job opportunities across Scotland. From architecture, advertising, and the performing arts to film, television, photography, and music, these are only a snippet of the different career and job opportunities in which you can flourish in Scotland.

Chief amongst this segment of industries is the pioneering game development industry of this growing nation, which rivals LA, Vancouver, and London. You can find career and job opportunities in areas and fields such as marketing, programming, production management, audio, design, and art.

From established industry players such as Rockstar North to ambitious new start-ups, this country is at the forefront of game development. You can work collaboratively at this place and delve into new fields such as the arts, finance, broadcast, and real-world medical research.

• Financial Services

This nation has lots of experience when it comes to financial services. Do you know that Scotland is the birthplace of one of the oldest banks in the world?

All in all, Scotland is a leading nation in the sector of financial services. The financial companies of Scotland, such as Standard Life, are also home to the headquarters of some of the globe’s biggest financial institutions, like JP Morgan and HSBC.

• Social Enterprise

The county completely embraces the importance of social enterprises in this modern world and provides a more sustainable, ethical, and dynamic way of doing business. Scotland is home to several successful social enterprises. Companies such as The Big Issue and Social Bite dedicating a cent percent of their profits to worthy causes and doing amazing work.

There are currently over 5600 social enterprises in this country that provides approximately 81000 jobs. And with around 300 new social enterprises formed each year, there are some exciting and amazing career and job opportunities in Scotland.

Do you know that this nation has more world-class universities per person than anywhere else in the world?

Four of Scotland’s universities are ranked in the Times Higher Education Top 200, and Scotland is the most highly educated nation in Europe as per the Office of National Statistics. When choosing to study in a foreign land, international students pick Scotland due to its best and top universities, world-famous.

Education in Scotland also provides great prospects for employment. Employers highly value graduates from universities in Scotland, with 9 out of 10 graduates finding employment or further study within six months of graduation. This is down to many of the education institutes working in partnership with employers and fully preparing students to transition into the workplace.

Another reason to study in this nation is to be a part of world-famous research. Researchers in this country’s universities are responsible for many world-changing innovations, like keyhole surgery and the MRI Scanner. The high standard of education in Scotland is reflected in the fact that 86 percent of Scotland’s research has been judged to be of outstanding impact.

With some of the most top-rated scientific institutes worldwide, studying in the country gives students access to multiple centers of excellence and world-renowned facilities.

Do you know that 86 percent of international and international students recommend studying at a university in Scotland?

Universities in Scotland provide open and wide green spaces, whether you are on campus in the heart of one of the Scottish cities or you are on a rural campus. This essentially means that you will have access to lots of outdoor areas for relaxation, sports, and study – or to simply enjoy nature.

Scotland has some of the biggest European cities right at its front door. The United Kingdom’s capital is less than an hour’s flight away, and the capital of France is less than 2. With airports and regular flights throughout the nation, Scotland offers an ideal location to experience the best sights this amazing continent has to offer.

The country is also bursting with interesting and exciting events all year round, making it an ideal location to live and study. More than 350 festivals every year, from the world’s biggest arts festival at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe to the largest music acts at TRNSMT Music Festival.

There is always something exciting and new in Scotland – +1 reason to study in this wonderful nation. Moreover, we are always here for you concerning any queries and concerns regarding any issue studying in Scotland.

Conclusion

So, these were the top reasons for the question ‘Why Study in Scotland?’

With some of the best universities across the globe, incredible student life, and perfect locations – it is easy to see why Scotland is the ideal choice for students.

Top Scholarships to Study in Scotland

Glasgow Caledonian University Scholarships for International Students to Study in the UK

Applications are currently available to apply for the beneficial scholarships administrated by the Glasgow Caledonian University. The scholarships are open for international students who will take admission to the university.

Provided by: Glasgow Caledonian University
Course: Undergraduate
Award: Varies
Application Deadline: Open
Apply Now

University of Glasgow Adam Smith International Scholarships, UK

Earn your master’s degree in the UK by applying for Adam Smith International Scholarship administered by the University of Glasgow. There are a number of awards available to students entering the Adam Smith Business School for the year 2021-2022.

Provided by: University of Glasgow
Course: Undergraduate
Award: Varies
Application Deadline: Open
Apply Now

International Scholarships at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in the UK

For encouraging high performing self-funded international student, the Queen Margaret University is delighted to announce a competitive international scholarship in the United Kingdom. The grants are open for the session 2021-2022.

Provided by: Queen Margaret University
Course: Varies
Award: Varies
Application Deadline: Open
Apply Now

Abertay University International Scholarships in the UK, 2021

Well-qualified international students are invited to apply Abertay International Scholarships provided by Abertay University in the UK. The studentships are open for the academic year 2021-2022.

Provided by: Abertay University
Course: Varies
Award: Varies
Application Deadline: Open
Apply Now