Education

Further education courses are taken after secondary school but is not part of university-level higher education. You can take these courses at a college. Some colleges also offer higher education courses like degree level courses or courses that can progress to university, for example a course (e.g. HND) from college that can allow you to progress to year 2 of a university degree. Speak to your local college about admission requirements and application process.

If you have refugee status or humanitarian protection, you can get funding for college like other Scottish residents. This means you might not have to pay tuition fees for your course and can get bursaries to help with living costs, study and travel expenses. You don’t have to pay back bursaries. To check if you are eligible for funding and to apply, talk to the student funding support team at the college. You can find more information on bursaries for further education students.

To find out a list of your nearest colleges, visit Colleges in Scotland website.

Universities offer degree level courses that are part of higher education. Please check the websites of the universities you want to study at for admission requirements and how to apply. Make sure you find out the application deadlines as they can vary depending on your course. Apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). You can apply for up to five different courses or universities with one application. There is a small fee for this. Post-graduate courses may have a different application process.

If you have refugee status or humanitarian protection, you can get funding for university like other Scottish residents. You can apply to Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) to pay your tuition fees. You don’t need to wait for 3 years residency in Scotland to apply for SAAS funding. You might also be eligible for bursaries, grants, and scholarships, including refugee-specific scholarships offered by some universities. To check if you are eligible for funding and to apply, talk to the university’s student support team.

Student Action for Refugees (STAR) has information on pre-university courses, such as language skills, study skills, or subject knowledge. Also check their guidance and tips on applying for university and applying for scholarships.

If you have additional support needs, you might get extra help and funding to support you during your time at college or university. This could include support for a disability or mental health condition. Help available can include software, electrical equipment, a note taker or a sign language interpreter. Find out what help is available for students with additional support needs. You can also speak to the student support team at your college and university.

Not all colleges or universities will have a process in place yet for using your eVisa as proof of residency for the January 2025 applications. They may not have a box for you to enter your share code. If asked to upload proof of immigration status or residency, upload a screenshot of your immigration status screen, attach your expired BRP card, and upload the Home Office asylum decision letter showing you have leave to remain. The college may ask you for further clarification when your application is being processed.

If you are applying for any financial support, find out whether you need to pay it back or not. You also need to know if receiving student funding can stop or reduce your benefits, such as your universal credit.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

If you are aged 16 to 19 and in full time education, and meet the criteria, you may be eligible to apply for EMA. For more information speak to the school/college.

Bursary at college

A bursary is money you don’t have to pay back. You may be eligible for a bursary at college, depending on household income, if you are studying a full-time further education course up to SCQF level 6. You may also be entitled to study and travel expenses. For more information, visit Student Information Scotland for Bursary for Further Education Students.

Student funding from SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland)

If you are studying higher education at college (HNC or HND), or at university, you can apply to SAAS for funding. This can include tuition fees, a bursary, and a student loan. If you meet the criteria and depending on household income, you may be eligible to apply for all 3 elements for undergraduate courses.

Student loans are money you borrow from the government to help pay for living costs and you will need to repay this this after you leave university and only if you are earning enough. SAAS is not an automatic payment and will need to be applied for each year.

There may also be other additional funding which you are eligible to apply for, for example if you are care-experienced, are a lone parent or have a disability. Please visit SAAS for more information on what funding is available.

To apply for SAAS funding, you will need to create an account on the SAAS website. Please note to apply in advance of the course starting, regardless of whether or not you have been offered an unconditional offer.

Other loans

If you have refugee status or humanitarian protection or are their dependent, you can apply for the Refugee Integration Loan and borrow between £100 and £500 if you apply by yourself, or between £100 and £780 if applying with your partner. The loan can contribute towards education or training for work. This is an interest free loan and you have to pay back this back. You should be sent a loan agreement that should say how you pay back the loan. To apply visit: Apply for Refugee Integration Loan.

RefuAid has an interest-free loan of up to £10,000 to retrain and return your profession before coming to the UK. This cover costs related to completing the course. For more information and to apply, visit Refuaid Access Loan.

Scholarships and grants

Grants and scholarships are also money you don’t need to pay back. Scholarships are competitive and harder to get. Some universities have specific scholarships for refugee students. Search for scholarships and funding opportunities on Displaced Students Opportunities and check the List of scholarships in the UK. You can also look for educational grants and other support on Turn2Us website. Check with the university if they have any other grants or funds.

Benefits and student funding

If you receive SAAS funding to study full-time, your universal credit will stop. In some cases you might still get universal credit, like if you are responsible for a child or are severely disabled. It is important to report any student funding including scholarships, to the jobcentre. Not doing so could affect your Universal Credit payments. Student funding might be treated as income which could reduce your universal credit. If you study part-time, you can claim universal credit if your course does not stop you from doing work related activities. Speak to your university’s student support team to work out how student funding can affect your benefits.

If you are living in temporary accommodation, studying full-time might impact on your housing benefit entitlement.

For more information and advice, contact Shelter or Citizens Advice Scotland.