Postgraduate loans in Scotland

How much can I borrow?

Scottish postgraduate loans are funded by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) and are divided into two categories. In 2025/26, there's a tuition fee loan worth up to £7,000 and a separate living costs loan of up to £6,900.

Neither of the loans is means-tested, so your financial background doesn't affect the amount you can borrow.

If the tuition fee loan isn't sufficient to pay your fees, you'll have to find other sources of funding to cover the difference.

Am I eligible for a Scottish postgraduate loan?

You must:

• have lived in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for the last three years
• ordinarily reside in Scotland at the start of your course
• have a legal status in the UK.

The tuition fee loan has no age restrictions, but to get a living cost loan, you must be under 61 on the first day of the first academic year of your course. Part-time students can't get the living cost loan.

Meanwhile, you can't get the tuition fee loan if you've previously received SAAS Masters funding, but you can access the living cost loan.

If you're a European Union (EU) national, you're eligible for a loan if you:

• have been ordinarily resident in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for the three years before your course starts
• have settled or pre-settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme
• were living in the UK before 31 December 2020
• are ordinarily resident in Scotland on the relevant date.

EU nationals can access the full postgraduate funding package, including the tuition fee loan and living cost loan.

To find our more about the conditions for your residence situation, visit SAAS - Guides.

Is my course eligible?

Taught Masters degrees and postgraduate diplomas (PGDip) are covered by Scottish postgraduate loans, but PhDs aren't eligible for SAAS funding.

If you're studying full time, diplomas must be no longer than one year and Masters degrees no longer than two years.

Part-time students can get the tuition fee loan as long as their course is no more than twice the length of its full-time equivalent - up to four years for a Masters degree and two years for a PGDip. However, part-time students can't get the living cost loan.

Students do not need to study at a Scottish university for full-time courses. However, if the course is part time, it must be studied in Scotland. SAAS does not provide support for part-time courses in the rest of the UK.

Although previously ineligible, you can now receive SAAS Masters funding if you study via distance learning. Check with SAAS to ensure your course meets the minimum teaching or contact time between students and teaching staff.

How do I apply?

Apply online via SAAS - Register. The closing date for applications in 2025/26 is 31 March 2026. Therefore, you can still apply even after your course has started.

The application deadline is the same regardless of the course start date, although students are encouraged to apply before 30 June to ensure funding is in place for the start of the course.

To apply, you'll need:

• your National Insurance number
• course details
• evidence of how you meet the residency requirements.

Applications for tuition fee loans are only valid for one academic year. If your course lasts more than one year, you must apply separately in each year of the course.

How will I receive my loan?

The tuition fee loan is paid to the university on your behalf, while the living cost loan is paid in instalments directly into your bank account.

When do I start repaying my loan?

Starting from the April after you graduate, you'll repay 9% of any income you earn over £32,745 per year (in 2025/26), which works out at £629 per week and £2,728 a month, for those on a Plan 4 loan.

If you had a Scottish undergraduate student loan, it would be combined with your postgraduate loan, and you would make a single monthly payment of 9% towards both debts.

If you're employed and earning over the income threshold, repayments will be automatically taken out of your salary. If you're self-employed, your repayments will be part of your self-assessment tax return.

The current rate of interest on a Plan 4 Scottish postgraduate loan is 3.2%.

For further information, see GOV.UK - Repaying your student loan.

When are Scottish postgraduate loans written off?

For those with a Plan 4 loan, any outstanding balance you still owe 30 years after the April you were due to repay will be written off.

Find out more

• Search for postgraduate courses in Scotland.
• Explore online learning.
• Get tips on working while studying part time.