Study in Scotland
From vibrant, cosmopolitan cities to rugged highland mountains, Scotland is an amazing and diverse place to study, live, work and play!
Scotland is also home to world-class educational institutions which offer more than 4,500 undergraduate and postgraduate courses - so whatever your dream career is, you’ll find the perfect course in Scotland!
Education providers in Scotland
Scotland is home to 19 universities including:
According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, three of Scotland’s universities are in the top 100 globally: The University of Edinburgh (ranked 15th), the University of Glasgow (ranked 81st) and the University of St Andrews (ranked 96th).
Getting a student visa in Scotland
Once you’ve been accepted into a course at a Scottish university, you’ll need to organise a student visa.
You can apply for a student visa if you:
are aged 16 years or older;
have been offered a place on a course;
have enough money to pay your course fees and support yourself; and
have your parents’ consent (if you’re aged 16 or 17 years old).
You will also need to demonstrate that you can read, write, speak and understand English by completing an English language test. Each institution and course will have unique requirements, so be sure to check these online before lodging your application.
Accommodation in Scotland
The most popular housing options for international students in Scotland are student accommodation or private rentals.
Student accommodation options in Scotland include student halls (which generally provide cleaning and catering), student houses or purpose-built student accommodation buildings, such as Yugo. These types of accommodation are typically located close to your university, making it easy to get to your classes and other facilities. Student accommodation is also a great way to make new friends with other students - you might even meet someone from your home country!
Private housing offers more flexibility, freedom and independence, and can often be a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture. If you rent a house with multiple bedrooms, you can also share the rental costs with other people.
You can find out more about private rentals in Scotland on the Scottish Government's website.
Benefits of studying in Scotland
If you want a world-class education and vibrant student life, Scotland is the perfect place for you!
Not only does Scotland have some of the best universities in the world, but it’s also a wonderful, welcoming place to study as an international student. The country houses more than 50,000 international students from 180 countries.
Scotland’s universities are well-known for high-quality education and world-class facilities. According to the International Graduate Outcomes 2019 (i-GO) survey, 91% of international graduates are satisfied with their learning at a Scottish university.
When you’re not studying, there is so much to see and do in the country. From castles, museums and galleries to outdoor activities, famous tourist attractions and sporting events, you’ll enjoy the rich history and culture that Scotland has to offer.
Scotland is also famous for its live music, arts and culture scene - there are over 350 festivals a year in Scotland, including the world’s largest arts festival at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Another benefit of studying and living in Scotland is that it is situated right next to Europe, which means you’ll have easy access to some of the most beautiful and interesting countries in the world.
Learn more about studying in Scotland
Ready to find out more? Check out this handy guide for all the things you need to know about studying in the UK as an international student. This article also contains excellent information about student life in the UK, such as class schedules, living costs and working rights.
We also recommend consulting the following resources to learn more about living and studying in Scotland and the UK more generally:
Author: Sarah Pearce
