STUDY IN SCOTLAND

Why Study in Scotland?

The most northerly country in the United Kingdom, with a population of around five million, Scotland retains its own, distinctive culture with the UK.

Scotland has a rich and historic culture and heritage and is a fantastic place for an international student to learn, with a wide variety of activities to enjoy away from study. Scotland’s seven cities -Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Stirling, Aberdeen, Inverness and Perth– all offer traditional metropolitan life to varying degrees, but Scotland’s real beauty is to be found in its mountains, countryside and scenic landscapes.

Scottish education enjoys a reputation for its high quality throughout the world. With an emphasis on proactive independent thinking and close links with leading companies, there are many reasons to study in Scotland, including the fact that our education system encourages skills that are relevant, marketable and sought after by today’s top employers.

Higher Education System in Scotland

Scotland has a distinctive higher education system and also operates under a devolved government, which includes devolved responsibility for higher education. Scotland’s distinctive higher education system has 19 higher education institutions (HEIs). The 15 universities, the Open University in Scotland, a college of higher education, an art school, and a conservatoire all receive funding for research and for learning and teaching through the Scottish Funding Council.

The HEIs are independent, self-governing bodies, active in teaching, research and scholarship. Where HEIs are degree awarding bodies they design the curriculum for the degrees they award, set the conditions on which they are awarded and the admissions arrangements. Degrees and other higher education qualifications are legally owned by the awarding institution, not by the state. The HEIs offer qualifications at undergraduate (Bologna first cycle) and postgraduate (Bologna second and third cycle) levels.

In Scotland, the law distinguishes the power to award degrees on the basis of completion of taught programmes (bachelors and most masters degrees) from the power to award Research (doctoral) Degrees. Most universities have powers to award taught and research Degrees. Some other HEIs have powers to award taught Degrees while others offer programmes leading to Degrees awarded by HEIs with Degree awarding powers.

A small number of taught Degrees are available in tertiary colleges by the authority of a duly empowered HEI.

Tuition Fees and Cost of Living in Scotland

International students from outside the EU are required to pay tuition fees at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Tuition fees vary depending upon your chosen institution.

At degree level, study fees in Scotland for international students outside of the EU vary from around GBP 9,000 to over GBP 20,000 annually, depending upon the course and university, which converts to INR 8,15,000 to INR 18,11,000 per year. However, laboratory-based subjects have higher tuition fees than those based in the classroom.

The cost of living in Scotland ranges from GBP 7,500 TO GBP 10,000 annually, that is, INR 6,79,000 to INR 9,05,000 per year.

Application Procedure and Admission Process

To apply for an undergraduate course in Scotland you can apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admission Centre (UCAS).The online application form allows you enter course details for up to five courses that you want to study, and institutions you would like to attend. However, there are some restrictions on the combination of courses you can apply for.

Many universities in Scotland manage their own applications for postgraduate study. It is advisable that you check on the website of the institution and department that you want to apply for.You can apply for postgraduate study at some universities through the UK Postgraduate Application and Statistical Service (UKPASS) scheme.You can apply for up to ten different programmes at any university or college using the UKPASS service.

If English is not your first language, most universities require you to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. Therefore, you will have to take up IELTS, Cambridge, TOEFL, PTE or IGCSE.

Career Prospects in Scotland

Scotland boasts of a strong and diverse economy with a stronghold in many domains, such as, oil and gas, renewable and non-renewable energy, finance, tourism and life sciences.On this basis, many Universities and employers in this domain tie-up to provide the relevant employees.

Higher education institutions have relationships with industry, commerce and the professions on several different levels.

HEIs provide courses, for example in management, tailored to the needs of particular types of business. They have contacts with firms to help students to obtain placements when that is a requirement of their course. They also facilitate students’ access to information about careers.

Scholarships in Scotland

There are several scholarships and awards on offer to study in Scotland, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Some of them are:

Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)

British Chevening Scholarships

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)

Fulbright Awards

Royal Society Grants

Saltire Scholarships

Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme