Funding your education

Scottish-domiciled students

Scottish student studying in Scotland: Eligible Scottish-domiciled students studying full-time in Scotland are not required to pay tuition fees if studying for a first degree or equivalent. Contact the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for information on this and what you are required to do to secure the necessary contribution by SAAS. You must still apply for funding every year. 

Accelerated LLB students

Currently SAAS does not fund second degree for students which will be the case for the majority of students who are obtaining the accelerated LLB. SAAS provides 4 years of funding, therefore you may be eligible for an extra year if you have an ordinary degree however this is something SAAS would consider and determine eligibility. You may be entitled to a living costs loan which you would pay back and more details can be found in SAAS's online postgraduate guides. Therefore, we also advise you to consult your university's funding directorate which outlines bursaries and funding available to students who meet certain eligibility. 

rUK (Rest of UK) students

Each institution is responsible for setting its own tuition fee rate; you should contact the institution to establish the cost of the course you wish to attend. You will be able to apply for a tuition fee loan to cover these costs from your local funding body.

Find out more about your local funding body on the UK Government website.

EU students

Currently funding for EU students is determined on your residency in Scotland and your status since Brexit. Definitions, and dates of residency are available on the SAAS website for the residence conditions for EU, Irish, EEA, Swiss, Gibraltar and Turkish nationals following Brexit. There is a full guide regarding residency and eligibility for funding which we advise all students to read carefully in line with UK Home Office guidance. 

Our information on guidance for overseas students will provide some background to why having to obtain a visa is an essential consideration when undergoing a law degree in Scotland. We aim to update this section with as much information as we can, as we receive it.

Diploma fees

Course fees will vary dependent on the Diploma provider you study with. For up-to-date course fees, visit the Diploma section of our website.  

Funding for session 2023/24

Currently, up to £11,500 will be available for any taught postgraduate course up to full Masters level at any Scottish higher education institute (HEI).

Eligible Scottish domiciles will be able access a loan up to £11,500 – comprising £7,000 for tuition fees and £4,500 for living costs. Visit the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) website for more information and details of how to apply for a loan.

Part-time students should visit the SAAS website to ensure they access the up-to-date information relating to their eligibility to apply for a loan. Please note that, in previous years, part-time students have been eligible to apply for 50% of the full tuition fee loan amount per year of study*, but have not been eligible to apply for a living-cost loan.
*assuming part-time study is undertaken over the course of two years.

Guidance for EU students

Currently funding for EU students is determined on your residency in Scotland and your status since Brexit. Definitions, and dates of residency are available on the SAAS website for the residence conditions for EU, Irish, EEA, Swiss, Gibraltar and Turkish nationals following Brexit. There is a full guide regarding residency and eligibility for funding which we advise all students to read carefully in line with UK Home Office guidance. You may also want to consult your university's funding directorate where there is information on bursaries for students who meet certain eligibility. 

EU students should consider they may need to obtain a working visas for a traineeship after the DPLP. Our information on guidance for overseas students will provide some background to why having to obtain a visa is an essential consideration. We aim to update this section with as much information as we can, as we receive it.

Guidance for non-EU overseas and rUK students

Please visit the SAAS website and Home Office website for more guidance. 

Other sources of funding

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

As well as a tuition fee and living-cost loan, eligible postgraduate students can also apply for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). Information can be found on the SAAS website.

Scholarships and bursaries

There are usually a number of scholarships and bursaries available to Diploma students across the universities, including Discretionary Funds. These funds are intended to provide assistance for students in financial difficulty and can provide help towards study-related costs, including travel and accommodation. The funds are allocated by Scottish Ministers and administered by individual colleagues and universities. Please check with the universities offering the Diploma to see what options may be available.