Postgraduate Loans (SAAS) (Scotland and EU nationals who have been granted settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme

The Scottish Government offers postgraduate loans to those who are due to commence a taught or research Masters or Postgraduate Diploma programme of study.

Loans are available for full-time and part-time postgraduate Diploma and Masters programmes. 

You have to be studying an eligible PG Diploma or Masters programme.

If you are studying over more than one academic year you must apply for a fee loan in all years of your programme.  Your tuition fee loan will be paid directly to your University.  

Students from Scotland

AwardMethod of StudyDurationTuition Fee Loan - students starting 2025-2026Living Cost Loan - students starting 2025-2026
Masters -Taught and ResearchFull-time1 yearUp to £7,000Up to £6,900
Masters -Taught and ResearchFull-time2 yearsUp to £7,000 over 2 years Up to £6,900 over 2 years (£3,450 per year)
Masters -Taught and ResearchPart-time2 yearsUp to £7,000 over 2 yearsNot available
Masters -Taught and ResearchPart-time3 years *only if no 1yr f/t prog offeredUp to £7,000 over 3 yearsNot available
PG DiplomaFull-time1 yearUp to £7,000Up to £6,900
PG DiplomaPart-time2 yearsUp to £7,000 over 2 yearsNot available
Masters and PG DiplomaPart-time intermittent (ICL)2-6 yearsNot availableNot available
PG CertificateAnyAnyNot availableNot available

Eligibility 

  • you must be a UK national (or have settled status) and been ordinarily resident in Scotland for three years on the first day of the first academic year of your degree programme;
  • you must be 'ordinarily resident' in Scotland (temporary absence from your home address, such as for education or travelling, will not prevent you from being eligible to apply for a PGL);
  • You must be under 61 years old on the relevant date and meet SAAS eligibility conditions to qualify for the living-cost loan. If you change course and are 61 or over on the relevant date of your second course, you cannot get a student loan.
  • The living-cost loan is not available to part-time postgraduate students or EU nationals coming to Scotland to study.

EU nationals who have been granted settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme, and meet the residence conditions set by SAAS

AwardMethod of StudyDurationTuition Fee Loan - students starting 2025-26Living Cost Loan - students starting 2025-26
Masters -Taught and ResearchFull-time1 yearUp to £7,000If you meet SAAS residency criteria
Masters -Taught and ResearchFull-time2 yearsUp to £7,000 over 2 yearsIf you meet SAAS residency criteria
Masters -Taught and ResearchPart-time2 yearsUp to £7,000 over 2 yearsNot available
Masters -Taught and ResearchPart-time3 years *only if no 1yr f/t prog offeredUp to £7,000 over 3 yearsNot available
PG DiplomaFull-time1 yearUp to £7,000If you meet SAAS residency criteria
PG DiplomaPart-time2 yearsUp to £7,000 over 2 yearsNot available
Masters and PG DiplomaPart-time intermittent (ICL)2-6 yearsNot availableNot available
PG CertificateAnyAnyNot availableNot available

Eligibility

  • EU national who has been granted settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme;
  • If you do not meet the SAAS residency criteria you can apply for a tuition fee loan only;
  • To be eligible for full support (tuition fee and living cost loan) you must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the three years immediately prior to the relevant date and be ordinarily resident in Scotland on the relevant date.  Further information on the relevant date can be found on the SAAS website;
  • you must be aged under 60 on the first day of the first academic year of your degree programme.

SAAS guidance - Exeptions to the general residence conditions

Applying

Applications are now open, you can apply online at SAAS.   

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Payment

Payments will be released after you have registered on your degree programme and the University has confirmed your attendance to the Student Loan Company (SLC) and Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) at the start of the academic session.

Tuition fee payment will be made directly to the University.

Repayment

SAAS information on Repaying your Student Loan

Fees and Student Support Team