Moving from England to Scotland for University
Understanding how cross-border study affects your student finance and loan repayments
In this article
Moving from England to study in Scotland involves navigating significant differences in student finance systems, tuition fee structures, and loan repayment plans. While the transition is straightforward, understanding the implications is crucial for effective financial planning.
This guide explains what happens to your student finance when you move between England and Scotland, whether you're starting fresh, transferring during your studies, or completing postgraduate study after an undergraduate degree elsewhere.
Key Point: Your loan plan is determined by where you normally live (your "ordinary residence") before your course starts, not where you study. English residents studying in Scotland typically remain on English loan plans.
Cross-Border Study Overview
The UK's four nations operate distinct student finance systems with different rules, thresholds, and repayment structures. Understanding these differences is essential when considering cross-border study.
The Fundamental Principle: Ordinary Residence
Your student finance is determined by your ordinary residence on the first day of the first academic year of your course. Ordinary residence means:
- Habitual residence: Where you normally live as your home, not just temporarily for work or study
- Three-year requirement: You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years before your course starts
- Not affected by study location: Moving to a different UK nation solely for university study doesn't change your ordinary residence
Example Scenario:
Sarah has lived in Manchester all her life and is starting a four-year degree at the University of Edinburgh. Despite studying in Scotland, she applies to Student Finance England and will be on Plan 5 (or Plan 2 if she started before 2023) because England is her ordinary residence.
Why Cross-Border Study Matters
Key differences that affect your experience and finances include:
- Tuition fees: Scottish universities charge different fees to students from different UK nations
- Course duration: Many Scottish degrees are four years rather than three years in England
- Loan plans: Your repayment plan depends on where you're ordinarily resident, not where you study
- Additional funding: Access to certain grants and bursaries may differ
How Your Loan Plan Changes
When you move from England to study in Scotland, your loan plan depends entirely on your ordinary residence status, not your study location.
English Residents Studying in Scotland
If you're ordinarily resident in England and study in Scotland, you will:
- Apply through Student Finance England (SFE)
- Be placed on Plan 2 if you started between 2012-2023
- Be placed on Plan 5 if you started from September 2023 onwards
- Pay tuition fees at the English rate (currently up to £9,250 per year) even though you're studying in Scotland
- Have access to the same maintenance loan as if studying in England
- Repay according to English thresholds and interest rates
Comparison: Plan 2 vs Plan 4 (Scotland)
It's helpful to understand how your English loan plan compares to the Scottish Plan 4 that local Scottish students use:
| Feature | Plan 2 (England) | Plan 4 (Scotland) |
|---|---|---|
| Repayment Threshold | £27,295 | £27,660 |
| Repayment Rate | 9% above threshold | 9% above threshold |
| Interest Rate | RPI to RPI + 3% | RPI or 1.5% (whichever is lower) |
| Write-Off Period | 30 years | 30 years |
| Typical Tuition Fees | £9,250 per year | £1,820 per year (Scottish domiciled students) |
Plan 5 Students (From 2023 Onwards)
English students starting from September 2023 onwards will be on Plan 5 when studying in Scotland:
- Lower repayment threshold: £25,000 (compared to £27,295 for Plan 2)
- Simplified interest: RPI only, no additional percentage based on income
- Longer write-off period: 40 years instead of 30 years
- Same 9% repayment rate above the threshold
Important: You cannot choose to switch to Scottish Plan 4 just because you're studying in Scotland. Your ordinary residence determines your plan, and this remains fixed for the duration of your course.
Tuition Fee Implications
One of the most significant differences when studying in Scotland as an English student is the tuition fee structure.
Tuition Fees for English Students in Scotland
English students studying in Scotland are charged at the "Rest of UK" (RUK) rate, which matches English tuition fees:
Current Tuition Fee Structure:
- Scottish domiciled students: £1,820 per year (covered by Student Awards Agency Scotland)
- English, Welsh, and Northern Irish students: Up to £9,250 per year
- EU and international students: Varies significantly, often £15,000-£30,000+ per year
This means that while your Scottish peers may have their fees covered by SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland), you'll be paying the full £9,250 per year through your Student Finance England loan.
Four-Year Degree Consideration
Most Scottish undergraduate degrees are four years rather than three. This has significant financial implications:
Total Cost Comparison:
- Three-year English degree: 3 × £9,250 = £27,750 in tuition fees
- Four-year Scottish degree: 4 × £9,250 = £37,000 in tuition fees
- Additional difference: £9,250 extra in tuition fee loans
However, this needs to be balanced against other factors such as course content, career prospects, and personal preferences. Many students find the four-year Scottish degree structure beneficial as it often includes more breadth in the first two years before specialization.
Direct Entry to Second Year
English students with strong A-level results (typically AAA or higher) may qualify for direct entry to the second year of a Scottish degree, effectively making it a three-year course:
Direct Entry Advantages:
- Reduces course length from four years to three years
- Saves £9,250 in tuition fees
- Saves a year of maintenance costs and living expenses
- Enter employment a year earlier
Not all Scottish universities offer direct entry, and requirements vary by institution and subject. Contact universities directly to discuss your eligibility.
Maintenance Loan Entitlement
As an English student, you'll receive maintenance loan based on English rates, which differ slightly from the rates for students studying in England:
Maintenance Loan (Living Away from Home):
- Studying in London: Up to £13,762 per year (2024/25)
- Studying outside London (including Scotland): Up to £10,227 per year (2024/25)
- Living with parents: Up to £8,171 per year (2024/25)
The maintenance loan is means-tested based on household income, with higher-income families receiving less support.
Impact on Loan Repayments
Where you study doesn't affect your repayment plan, but the total amount borrowed and where you work after graduation do matter.
Higher Total Debt from Four-Year Degrees
If you complete a full four-year degree in Scotland, you'll graduate with higher total debt than a three-year English degree:
Example Comparison (2023 Starter on Plan 5):
Three-year degree (England):
- Tuition fees: 3 × £9,250 = £27,750
- Maintenance loan: 3 × £10,227 = £30,681 (maximum outside London)
- Total borrowed: £58,431
Four-year degree (Scotland):
- Tuition fees: 4 × £9,250 = £37,000
- Maintenance loan: 4 × £10,227 = £40,908 (maximum outside London)
- Total borrowed: £77,908
Difference: £19,477 additional debt
Does Higher Debt Matter?
For most graduates, the higher debt from a four-year degree has limited practical impact because of how UK student loans work:
- Repayments are income-contingent: You pay 9% of income above the threshold regardless of total debt
- Write-off applies to all: Any remaining balance is cancelled after 40 years (Plan 5) or 30 years (Plan 2)
- Most won't repay in full: Government estimates suggest around 75% of Plan 5 borrowers won't fully repay before write-off
Key Insight: Only high earners who would have paid off their loan completely will be affected by the higher debt. For average to high-middle earners, monthly repayments remain the same regardless of total debt size.
Repayments After Graduation
Where you work after graduation determines how repayments are collected:
Working in the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, or NI):
- Repayments automatically deducted through PAYE system
- Your employer processes deductions based on your plan type
- Same repayment threshold and rate apply regardless of where in the UK you work
Working Overseas:
- Must inform Student Loans Company of overseas employment
- Repayments calculated based on local cost of living adjustments
- Make direct payments to SLC rather than through employer
Transferring Mid-Course
Some students may wish to transfer from an English university to a Scottish university (or vice versa) during their studies. This process is more complex than starting fresh.
Student Finance Implications
When transferring between universities across borders, several factors affect your student finance:
Key Considerations:
- Ordinary residence unchanged: Your loan plan doesn't change based on transfer location
- Previous study counts: Years already studied affect remaining funding entitlement
- Course length matters: Transferring to a four-year Scottish degree may require additional year of funding
- Tuition fee liability: You'll pay fees appropriate to your ordinary residence
Funding for Remaining Years
Student Finance England calculates your remaining entitlement based on the standard length of your course plus one additional year (your "gift year"):
Example Transfer Scenario:
- Completed two years at an English university (three-year course)
- Transfer to Scottish university for a four-year course
- Enter directly into second or third year at Scottish university
- Standard funding: (3 years + 1 gift year) = 4 years total funding available
- Already used: 2 years
- Remaining entitlement: 2 years of funding
If your new course requires more years than your remaining entitlement, you'll need to self-fund the additional years or consider alternative arrangements.
Academic Recognition and Credit Transfer
Before considering a transfer, ensure the receiving Scottish university will recognize your previous study:
- Not all credits transfer between institutions or across borders
- You may need to repeat some content or start at an earlier year than expected
- Different academic systems (Scottish four-year vs English three-year) can complicate transfers
- Contact admissions offices at both institutions before making decisions
Important: Always contact Student Finance England before transferring to understand exactly how much funding you'll have available for your new course. Do not rely on assumptions or general guidance.
Practical Steps for Transfer
Before You Apply to Scottish Universities
Take these steps to ensure you understand the financial and academic implications:
Research Phase:
- Verify your ordinary residence status with Student Finance England
- Confirm tuition fees you'll be charged as an RUK student
- Check if you qualify for direct entry to second year
- Calculate total costs for a four-year degree vs three-year alternative
- Research accommodation costs in your target Scottish city
- Consider additional travel costs for returning home during breaks
Application Process
The application process follows the same route as for English universities:
- UCAS Application: Apply through UCAS in the same way as for English universities
- University Acceptance: Receive and accept your offer from the Scottish university
- Student Finance Application: Apply through Student Finance England (not SAAS)
- Confirm Course Details: Ensure SFE has correct information about your four-year course
- Annual Reapplication: Reapply each year for continued funding
Critical: Apply to Student Finance England, NOT Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). SAAS handles Scottish-domiciled students only.
During Your Studies
Maintain proper documentation and communication throughout your course:
- Keep SFE informed of any changes to your circumstances
- Reapply for student finance each academic year
- Ensure your university confirms your enrollment with SFE
- Monitor your student finance account regularly
- Update your contact details if you move accommodation
Planning for Graduation
As you approach graduation, prepare for the transition to repayment:
- Understand that repayments begin in April after you leave your course
- Ensure your employer has your correct student loan plan information
- Set up your online repayment account with Student Loans Company
- If moving overseas for work, notify SLC within three months
Common Transfer Scenarios
Here are detailed examples of common situations students face when studying across the England-Scotland border:
Scenario 1: Fresh Start in Scotland (Never Studied Before)
Situation: James from Birmingham is starting his first degree at the University of St Andrews in September 2024.
Finance arrangements:
- Applies through Student Finance England
- Placed on Plan 5 (as starting from 2023 onwards)
- Pays £9,250 per year tuition fees for four years (total: £37,000)
- Receives maintenance loan of up to £10,227 per year
- Will repay 9% of income above £25,000 after graduation
- Loan written off after 40 years or at age 65, whichever comes first
Scenario 2: Undergraduate in Scotland, Postgraduate in England
Situation: Emma completed her four-year undergraduate degree at Edinburgh University and is now doing a Master's at Imperial College London.
Finance arrangements:
- Undergraduate loan remains on original plan (Plan 2 or Plan 5 depending on start year)
- Can apply for a separate Postgraduate Loan through Student Finance England
- Postgraduate Loan: Up to £12,167 for Master's study
- Will make combined repayments: 9% on undergraduate loan + 6% on postgraduate loan
- Different thresholds apply: £27,295 for Plan 2 / £25,000 for Plan 5, and £21,000 for PG
Scenario 3: Direct Entry to Second Year
Situation: Sophie achieved AAA at A-level and has been accepted for direct entry into second year at the University of Glasgow.
Finance arrangements:
- Course reduced from four years to three years
- Total tuition fees: 3 × £9,250 = £27,750 (same as three-year English degree)
- Receives three years of maintenance loan funding
- Saves one year of tuition fees, maintenance costs, and interest accumulation
- Enters employment market one year earlier
Scenario 4: Working in Scotland After Graduation
Situation: Marcus studied in Edinburgh and stayed in Scotland for work after graduating.
Repayment arrangements:
- Repayments still based on English plan (Plan 2 or Plan 5)
- Scottish employer deducts repayments through PAYE system
- Same thresholds and rates apply as if working in England
- Scottish income tax rates (which differ from England) don't affect student loan calculations
- Student loan deductions are separate from income tax
Scenario 5: Mid-Course Transfer from England to Scotland
Situation: Olivia completed one year at Manchester University and is transferring to Aberdeen University.
Finance arrangements:
- Aberdeen accepts her into second year of four-year degree
- Used one year of funding at Manchester
- Standard entitlement: 3 years (original course length) + 1 gift year = 4 years total
- Remaining entitlement: 3 years of funding for her three remaining years
- Must notify both SFE and both universities of the transfer
- Loan plan remains unchanged (still Plan 2 or Plan 5 based on original start date)
Plan Your Cross-Border Studies
Use our calculators to understand the financial impact of studying in Scotland as an English student
Dr. Lila Sharma
UK Education Policy Specialist
With over 15 years of experience in UK education policy and student finance, Dr. Sharma founded Student Loan Calculator UK to help students navigate the complex world of student loans.
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