Scottish Government - Student loans

What you get

For your first degree at the University of Edinburgh, you can receive a loan to cover your living costs of approximately EUR 9,900 to EUR 12,300 per year (around 8,400 to 10,400 GBP). The Scottish Government will also cover your tuition fees (around 1,820 GBP per year), provided you meet the residency requirements. The loan is your main source of funding for living costs. It carries interest and must be repaid later, though on much more favourable terms than a bank loan or a credit card. You do not have to take out the full amount; you can take out only as much as you need. This funding is provided by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), not by the university.

If your household income is low, part of the funding will be provided as a grant, which you will never have to repay. The ‘Young Students’ Bursary’ is worth up to approximately 2,350 euros (2,000 GBP) per year if your household income is below 20,999 GBP. The amount drops to GBP 1,125 if the household income is below GBP 23,999, and to GBP 500 if it is below GBP 34,000. Independent students on the lowest incomes can receive up to approximately EUR 1,180 (GBP 1,000). If you have spent time in care, you will receive a total of approximately EUR 13,400 (GBP 11,400) as part of a separate package, of which you will never have to repay GBP 9,000.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are just starting your degree or taking modules towards your first degree.
• Where you study: You are a full-time student at the University of Edinburgh.
• Where you live: Your usual place of residence is in Scotland and you meet the SAAS residence requirements.
• Nationality: The programme is open to British students who meet the residency requirements. EU citizens with ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ status under the EU Settlement Scheme are also eligible.
• Field of study: All subjects.
• Income: The loan is granted partly on the basis of income. The non-repayable grants are awarded exclusively to students from low-income households.

How to apply

Applications are made online via SAAS at www.saas.gov.uk. The application period for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open. You must reapply each academic year; SAAS will then inform you of the amount you will receive.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a scholarship for which a selection process takes place. If you meet the residence and eligibility criteria, you are legally entitled to the funding, so you do not need to impress a selection panel. The amount of financial support depends on your household income. Apply for the support early each year and tick the box to provide the university with details of your household income. This may also enable you to qualify for the university’s own ‘Access Edinburgh’ scholarship.