HOW TO GO TO GRAD SCHOOL IN SCOTLAND AS AN AMERICAN: YOUR STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Do you dream of going to grad school in Scotland? There’s just something romantic about the idea of Scottish universities: Gothic architecture, ivy-covered buildings, and libraries full of antique books that feel like something straight out of a novel. But what if I told you that grad school in Scotland is more than that? It’s also cutting-edge technology, fascinating research and getting to work with some of the best and brightest minds on the planet! Scotland is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities, attracting international students from all over the world. Could you be one of them? Here’s how to go to grad school in Scotland as an American!

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HOW I WENT TO GRAD SCHOOL IN SCOTLAND AS AN AMERICAN

I was living in Switzerland when grad school in Scotland first started calling to me.

A co-worker of mine got engaged to a Scottish guy and invited me and some other women we worked with to her wedding in a castle just outside of Edinburgh. My friends and I decided to make the most of the journey, adding a road trip around Scotland to our itinerary while we were there, because why not? 

I fell in love with the winding, storied streets of Edinburgh, the coastal cliffs bursting with brightly colored yellow gorse in springtime and the cold, pristine lochs of the Highlands.

Before we were even done with the trip, an idea started forming in my brain. Why not go to grad school in Scotland? I started researching as soon as I got home. When I found a creative writing master’s at the University of Edinburgh, I knew my life was about to change forever!

FAQ ABOUT HOW TO GO TO GRAD SCHOOL IN SCOTLAND AS AN AMERICAN

CAN I GO TO GRAD SCHOOL IN SCOTLAND AS AN AMERICAN?

Yes, you absolutely can! Scottish universities welcome thousands of international students every year. In fact, in 2024, nearly 29% of students in Scottish universities were foreigners. Grad school in Scotland is very popular with students from China, India, Nigeria and the United States. 

IS UNIVERSITY IN SCOTLAND FREE FOR AMERICANS?

Sadly, it is not. Degrees in Scotland are only free for Scottish students who choose to do their undergraduate degree at a Scottish university. The rest of us have to pay!

WHAT IS THE COST OF GRAD SCHOOL IN SCOTLAND FOR AMERICANS? 

Non-UK students in Scotland must pay international tuition fees, which can be up to 2-3 times what a UK national would pay.

Fees vary from university to university and they are still usually far less than what you would pay to get a degree at a private university in the USA, making grad school in Scotland an attractive option for Americans.

Still, it can help to do some comparisons, so let’s dive in! 

AVERAGE COST OF INTERNATIONAL TUITION AT SCOTTISH UNIVERSITIES

In 2024, the average cost of international tuition for a one-year master’s program at a Scottish University was 15,000- 30,000 GBP, not including room and board, books, etc.  

Remember, many master’s program’s in the UK are one-year programs, so that is the cost of your entire degree.

AVERAGE COST OF A MASTER’S DEGREE IN THE USA

Between $41,000- $71,000, depending on the program. 

CAN AMERICANS GET FINANCIAL AID TO GO TO GRAD SCHOOL IN SCOTLAND?

Yes, international students can also apply for bursaries, grants, and scholarships to offset the cost of going to grad school in Scotland as an American. 

Keep in mind that you will not be allowed to apply for all of the same funding that a domestic student would. The funding options for international students will be different depending on the Scottish university you apply to, so be sure to explore your options thoroughly.

You can also take out US student loans to study abroad. 

DO I NEED A STUDENT VISA TO GO TO GRAD SCHOOL IN SCOTLAND?

This is a very smart question!

First of all, YES you’ll need a visa to go to grad school in Scotland as an American. 

Keep in mind that Scotland is a part of the UK, which is made up of the countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so you will be applying to the UK government for your student visa.

important THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT UK STUDENT VISAS

• They can be very pricy! In 2025 the cost of a UK visa for a one-year Master’s program is 1,525 GBP (add 1,035 per year for longer programs)
• That 1,035 GBP is for the NHS surcharge, an upfront cost paid to access the UK’s public health system. This is not something you can opt out of paying, but on the bright side, your medical care will be completely covered while you’re a student in the UK! There are no co-pays or prescription costs on NHS Scotland. 
• There will be limitations to how much you can work on a UK student visa, both in terms of hours and the type of work
• Some types of student visas do not allow you to bring your partner or dependents with you. If this is important to you, make sure you understand what you’re allowed to do when you’re applying to programs 

HOW TO GO TO GRAD SCHOOL IN SCOTLAND: STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

DECIDE WHERE YOU WANT TO LIVE

This is the fun part! Do you want to be in a vibrant, world-class city? Or would you prefer to be surrounded by nature? Some popular Scottish university destinations are Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, St. Andrews and Dundee. 

Make sure you research the cost of living in these places, too! Depending on where you’re from in the US and where you move to in Scotland, the cost of living here could be significantly lower. However, it is still important to budget. 

GET CLEAR ON YOUR WHY

Going to grad school in Scotland as an American comes with amazing perks, such as the ability to study at world-class institutions, travel all over the United Kingdom and Europe, and take advantage of Scotland’s famous hospitality. Scots are known as some of the friendliest people in the world, and in my experience, they’ve earned the title! I’ve always felt welcome and at home in Scotland. 

In addition to all the fun stuff, a master’s degree in Scotland is a big investment of both time and money. What do you expect to get in return? Career advancement? Networking in your field? A higher salary? Do your research and make sure you can reasonably fulfil these expectations. 

Keep in mind that you’ll not only be paying tuition, but you’ll also be restricted about the type and amount of work you’ll be allowed to do on your UK student visa (20 hours a week during term time and up to 40 on school holidays). Unless you’re independently wealthy, this can cause a bit of a financial squeeze. How will you make it work?

RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES 

Does your ideal Scottish destination offer a program you like? We are all seduced by the siren call of Russel Group Universities like Edinburgh, but don’t overlook lesser-known names. They can offer a world-class education as well, often at a more affordable price point. 

For example, you may never have heard of Edinburgh Napier University, but they offer some very sexy programs for a fraction of the price of the University of Edinburgh! 

DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO STUDY

Scottish universities offer a wide variety of Master’s programs, although what we call our programs and the degrees that are awarded look a little different than they do in the US.

SCOTTISH UNIVERSITY TERMS THAT ARE GOOD TO KNOW

Postgraduate Degree: This is what we call a Master’s Program in the UK. Some degree terms you might come across are: MA, MSc, MLitt, MPhill etc. These are roughly equivalent to an MA in the USA. 

Postgraduate Taught Program: A program of study consisting mostly of taught classes such as lectures and seminars. 

Postgraduate Research Program: A program of study consisting of mostly practical research. 

Most UK postgraduate degrees would probably be recognized in the US, but if you have a very specialized career in the US that you’re hoping to go back to after graduation, it makes sense to check and make sure. 

GET CLEAR ON APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Each Scottish university will have different application deadlines and requirements. Sometimes these vary by program as well.

Find out if you are required to submit a portfolio or write essays, make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to complete them.

I suggest making a spreadsheet to keep track of all of your options. 

Note: You do not have to take the GRE to go to grad school in Scotland. 

START MAKING A FINANCIAL PLAN

So how much is all of this going to cost you?

Find out what types of bursaries or scholarships you’re eligible for as an international student. Compare this with the tuition and cost of living.

If you need to apply for any funding, ensure you note the deadlines and leave time for applications and essays. 

FIND OUT HOW SCHOOLS SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Scottish universities typically welcome large numbers of international students, but how they support you will vary from university to university. 

Some unis offer housing advice, social events and skills seminars that will assist you in understanding what the academic expectations at British universities are like. (Spoiler alert! Assessments and grading may look very different than what you’re used to!)

Other universities may offer very little support for international students at all. How much does this matter to you?

REACH OUT TO SOMEONE IN YOUR PROGRAM

A good way to understand if a program is a good fit for you is to email the program advisor. There should be a contact person on the home page of the program you’re applying to. A program manager should be friendly and welcoming. Mine put me in touch with a student representative for my course who was happy to answer all of my questions!

APPLY!

Now it’s time to submit those applications, cross your fingers and wait!

COMPARE YOUR OFFERS

Use a pro and con list to compare the advantages of each program. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of living and any financial support you’ve been awarded.

If an online seminar is offered for accepted students, be sure to go to it. 

ACCEPT AN OFFER

There will be a deadline to accept your offer and to apply for on-campus housing if you’re interested in it. 

APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA

Once you accept your offer, the university will issue you a letter with something called a CAS number on it. Don’t misplace this, because you’ll need your CAS number to apply for your UK visa. This number just tells the UK government that you’re being sponsored for your visa by the university.

I recommend applying for student visas about two to three months before the start date of your program.

LOOK FOR HOUSING 

If you are not staying in university housing, you’ll need to find your own accommodation. 

Universities should have a housing office webpage that offers students information about letting a flat in the city and avoiding common rental scams. University of Edinburgh’s housing office even offered to read my lease for me to tell me if it was legitimate. (It was!) 

START YOUR PROGRAM! 

Pack your bags and get ready to go, because your life is about to change. Going to grad school in Scotland is without a doubt one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself! 

In addition to your studies, make sure you take advantage of everything else your uni has to offer. Joining societies (social clubs) is a huge part of Scottish uni life. When I arrived at Edinburgh they had societies for everything from hill walking to yoga to heavy metal appreciation!

Attend as many of the free guest lectures, concerts, open mics, mixers and other events as you can and try and go to at least ONE céilidh while you’re there. You won’t regret it! 

The year will fly by…so what will you do after graduation? 

HOPING TO STAY IN THE UK AFTER GRADUATION?

The UK currently offers a graduate route visa. These are 2-3-year non-extendable visas for those who have completed a degree in the UK. 

If you wish to continue to live and work in the UK beyond that time frame, you will have to switch to a sponsored visa. This can be tricky to do as the UK is constantly tightening their immigration policies, making competition for Skilled Worker visas fierce! 

important!

The terms of UK student visas can change greatly from year to year, and some post-graduate visa options that were open to me when I first started studying here have now been done away with!

It’s important to keep tabs on changes to student and post-study visas with the UKVI and not to take any one postgraduate route for granted. Depending on politics, you may have more or fewer options when you graduate!

TOUGH LOVE

It’s important to understand that a UK student visa is NOT a convenient backdoor to residing in the UK long-term after graduation. Many people have hoped for this and ended up disappointed and broke.

Why is this? The UK has some of the most restrictive immigration laws on the planet. UK student visas are designed to extract the most money out of international students possible in the form of tuition and visa fees while offering the slimmest possible margins for remaining in the country long term.

ALTERNATIVES TO STUDENT VISAS

If you are mostly thinking of going to grad school in Scotland to gain access to living in the UK, there are better ways to do that than spending thousands of pounds on a degree you’re not 100% jazzed about. 

If grad school in Scotland isn’t right for you but you still want to move to Scotland, check out my step-by-step guide to moving to Scotland for Americans!

WHERE TO NOW?

No matter what you choose to do after graduation, just know that grad school in Scotland is a life-changing experience. No matter the challenges, I will never regret my decision to live and study in this wonderful country. I may be moving on from Scotland soon, but I am forever changed by my time here and I will carry my experience in my heart forever.

My hope now is to share what I’ve learned in my time here so others can experience the joy of grad school in Scotland!

NEED MORE SUPPORT?

Download my UK visa guide

Check out my post: How to Prepare for an International Move

Download my Checklist: Fully Customizable Move Abroad Checklist

Follow my daily life as a solo female immigrant @alyssowrites 

more posts about living in Scotland:

How to Move to Scotland as an American

HOW TO DEAL WITH CULTURE SHOCK AS A SOLO WOMAN LIVING ABROAD: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE

How to Make Friends Living Abroad as a Solo Female

How to Teach in an International School

Getting a Tattoo in a Foreign Country

The Best Bookshops in Edinburgh

The 23 Best Hotels in Edinburgh for Solo Female Travellers

50+ Things to do Alone in Edinburgh

Edinburgh 3 Day Itinerary For Solo Female Travelers

Car-Free Solo Female Travel to the Isle of Skye

Jupiter Artland Day Trip From Edinburgh

A Day Trip to Rosslyn Chapel From Edinburgh

Day Trip to Inchcolm Island From Edinburgh

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