Funding
Source: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-funding/funding Parent: https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-funding
If your fee status is the Scotland or rest of UK fee rate, there might be funds available to help you finance your time at university. If your fee status is the international rate, you may be eligible for scholarships or loans from your home country or region.
Types of funding
There are different types of funding you can use to pay for your tuition fees and to cover other costs:
- Government funding, such as from SAAS or Student Finance for students paying the Scotland or rest of UK fee rate. This is the most common way to fund an undergraduate degree.
- Scholarships and bursaries, from us or external bodies. This includes our Access Edinburgh Scholarship for UK widening access students.
- Self-funding, where you pay your own fees using your own money or funding that is paid directly to you.
Funding by country or region
Scotland
If you normally live in Scotland and you’re studying full-time for your first degree, you may be eligible for your tuition fees to be paid by the Scottish Government for your full period of study.
You must apply every year to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid.
You can also apply to SAAS for loans and bursaries to help you with your living costs.
What you will receive is dependent on your household income, the degree programme you are studying and where you live while you study.
You can apply online for both payment of your fees and living cost support in a single application to SAAS.
Student Awards Agency Scotland
Repaying loans
If you take out a loan to help with living costs, you normally do not make any repayments while you're studying. You only pay back your loan after you finish your studies and earn over a certain amount each year.
England, Wales, Northern Ireland
If you normally live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and you’re studying full-time for your first degree, you may be eligible to apply to Student Finance for a loan to cover your full tuition fees.
You can also apply to Student Finance for loans to help you with your living costs.
What you will receive is dependent on your household income.
You can apply online for both payment of your fees and living cost support in a single application to Student Finance.
Student Finance Northern Ireland
Repaying loans
If you take out a loan to help with tuition fees and living costs, you normally do not make any repayments while you're studying. You only pay back your loan after you finish your studies and earn over a certain amount each year.
Republic of Ireland
If you normally live in the Republic of Ireland, you may be eligible for a tuition fee loan from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).
For more information on eligibility and the application process, you can visit the SAAS website.
Student Awards Agency Scotland
Repaying loans
If you take out a loan to help with tuition fees, you normally do not make any repayments while you're studying. You only pay back your loan after you finish your studies and earn over a certain amount each year.
Channel Islands and Isle of Man
For information on financial support with fees and living costs, contact your island authority.
International and EU/EEA
If you are paying the international fee rate, you may be eligible for scholarships or loans from your home country or region.
We also offer a limited number of scholarships and funding opportunities to international students.
Full details of the eligibility criteria and the online application procedures for these scholarships are available from our Scholarships and Student Funding site.
International and EU/EEA students funding
Highlighted scholarships and funding
University of Edinburgh scholarships
We offer a number of bursaries and scholarships for new full-time undergraduates.
These can vary in terms of the amount they offer and who is eligible. There are two main types:
- needs-based scholarships (including our Access Awards for UK students, which are based on criteria such as income, background and personal circumstances)
- merit-based scholarships (such as for skills shown in areas like academics, sport or music)
You must apply for these bursaries and scholarships as early as possible after applying for admission.
You can find out more about the funding we offer on the Student funding site.
Funding for prospective undergraduates
There may be some programme-specific funding available as well. Check our degree finder for the programme you are interested in to see any funding available.
Additional financial assistance
We offer:
- financial support for disabled students, including those from overseas
- financial assistance for UK and international students facing unexpected circumstances
Financial support for disabled students
Financial support for students facing unexpected circumstances
Part-time study
If you are an applicant from Scotland or the rest of the UK and are studying part time, you may be eligible to apply for funding.
This article was published on 2025-03-03