Studying outside of England

Universities and colleges in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different fee structures to England.

With the introduction of top-up fees throughout the UK, the number of applicants in 2006/7 increased by 1.6% in Scotland and by 0.5% in Wales.

21 year-old Danny applied to start university in Cardiff in 2005, but then decided to wait until this year and study in the south of England. "I was hoping to start at Cardiff University last year, but a number of things put me off. Aside from personal issues at the time, I was also aware I had to pay a certain amount of my fees beforehand. I wasn't sure how I was going to do this myself," explains Danny.

"Perhaps I should have applied for a university in Wales last year, but I don't regret choosing to study in England instead."

"I'm trying not to go to my parents about money - my sister's starting university in 2007 and I believe she should take priority over me. She will be going to a Welsh university, saving herself a fortune. Perhaps I should have applied for a university in Wales last year, but I don't regret choosing to study in England instead."

Wales

Fees of up to £3,070 (academic year 2007/8)
If you normally live in Wales and study at a higher education institution in Wales, you will be entitled to a non-means tested grant of up to £1,845 (regardless of family income).
Every full-time higher education student, regardless of where you come from in the UK, will be considered for a means-tested Welsh bursary of a minimum of £305 a year. You will only get this if you're getting the maximum Assembly Learning Grant or equivalent and have signed the 'consent to share' section of the student finance application form.

Scotland

Scotland has a flat fee of £1,700 up until 2009/10 (typical degree courses last for four years).
If you are a full time student studying in Scotland you do not have to pay fees as they are paid by the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
If you are not eligible for fee support and you are staying in Scotland, you will pay a flat fee of £1,225. If you are going to the rest of the UK you will have to pay your own fees including the increased fee levels.
If you are studying in Scotland and coming from elsewhere in the UK, your annual fee will increase to £1,700, unless you are doing medicine when the fee will be £2,700. This can be paid back after you graduate through a student loan.

If you are a full time Scottish student studying in England, Wales or Northern Ireland:

You can apply to SAAS for a loan to cover the cost of fees at institutions in the rest of the UK;
Your loan is not assessed on your family's income, unlike loans for UK students;
You will repay your loan after you finish your course and start earning over £15,000 a year;