Navigating university applications as a Scottish student can feel daunting and confusing. It can be difficult to understand the differences for Scottish applicants, particularly when a lot of the main guidance is aimed at the rest of the UK. Fortunately, this blog will break down the main similarities and differences Scottish students face when applying for university and should leave you feeling more confident to tackle it!
How do I apply to go to university as a Scottish student?
For the most part, the application process is exactly the same in Scotland as the rest of the UK, since both require you to use the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Your school should help you to set up an account, and you will then be able to start an application. The website will guide you through, but you will need to provide your personal details, as well as your chosen courses, exam grades and employment status. You will also require a personal statement which sets out why you want to study your course, and how academic and external experiences have prepared you for it. In addition, you will require a reference from a teacher or employer.
Since this is exactly the same application process that is used in the rest of the UK, it does not matter whether you are applying to a university in Scotland, elsewhere, or a mix of both. You will be charged around £30 to submit your form, and must do so before January (although this deadline is earlier for some courses, such as medicine).
How will my application be different if I still use UCAS?
Although you will still use UCAS to apply for university, Scottish applications will be considered separately. This is primarily due to the fact that Scottish students do not have to pay for tuition. Because of this, Scottish universities can only offer a certain amount of places to Scottish students (119,540 in 2024/5).
This can mean Scottish places are quite competitive, particularly for high-demand courses or universities. As a result, you might want to include a course or university which is slightly less popular as one of your choices.
Free tuition fees and other financial differences between the Scottish system and the rest of the UK also means Scottish students have a different funding provider, known as the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). This is the website you will use when applying for free tuition fees, as well as your student loan. They have a lot of interactive videos and guidance to help you understand student finance in Scotland, and also run sessions throughout the year to answer questions. Notably, you can still apply for funding through SAAS even if you are planning to attend a university in the rest of the UK, although you will be required to pay for tuition fees.
I sit different exams, how will this have an impact on my application?
Another major difference in the Scottish university application process is the weight that is given to certain exams. Unlike the rest of the UK, where uni applications are heavily dependent on A-levels which are sat in the final year of school, Scottish applications rely more on Higher exams which are taken in the penultimate year. This means that Scottish students are more likely to fulfil their entry requirements and receive unconditional offers. This can be particularly beneficial to give you more time to prepare in advance and sort out accommodation, finance and packing, and mean you’re less likely to forget something important.
In addition, even if your grades mean you do not currently meet the entry requirements for your course, you will have an extra year to take more subjects and acquire the grades and experience you need. Since Scottish students receive their exam results slightly earlier (usually the first week of August), those with conditional offers will also still have a bit more time to prepare.
What happens once my application has been submitted?
After you have submitted your application, you will be able to track it on UCAS. Whilst you’re waiting for responses, you should continue to attend university open days or offer holder days, and start looking into options for accommodation at each of your choices. This will give you a head start before you receive your offers and make the process much easier once you have confirmed your place. After you have received all of your offers, you must reply before the deadline stated on your UCAS account. You will then be able to apply for student finance and accommodation in your new uni city!
Conclusion:
Although applying to uni as a Scottish student can feel confusing at times, you should be reassured that there are no major differences between the processes used in Scotland and the rest of the UK. In fact, the few differences that do exist are actually highly beneficial since they provide you with free tuition, give you more chances to get into university, and more time to prepare once you have. Thus, whilst you should be aware of them, these differences should enhance rather than hinder your application!
