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.

International students

We recommend all students carefully read the SAAS website to understand more about any funding you might be eligible for, as well as researching the funding providers for Higher Education in your home nation. You may also want to consult your university's funding directorate where there is information on bursaries for students who meet certain eligibility. 

If you are a non-Scottish domiciled student, you may need to obtain a visa to undertake the traineeship after the Diploma. Our information on guidance for overseas students will provide some background to why having to obtain a visa is an essential consideration. 

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.  

As a taught postgraduate course at a Scottish Higher Education Institute (HEI), eligible Scottish domiciles will be able to access a loan for the Diploma, which comprises a tuition fee loan and a non income-assessed living cost loan. 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 non Scottish-domiciled students

We recommend all students carefully read the SAAS website to understand more about any funding you might be eligible for, as well as researching the funding providers for Higher Education in your home nation. You may also want to consult your university's funding directorate where there is information on bursaries for students who meet certain eligibility. 

If you are a non-Scottish domiciled student, you may need to obtain a visa to undertake the traineeship after the Diploma. Our information on guidance for overseas students will provide some background to why having to obtain a visa is an essential consideration. 

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.

The Clark Foundation for Legal Education invites applications for grants and scholarships from people practising law in Scotland, whether as solicitors or advocates, and from people studying at Scottish universities or other institutions of higher education based in Scotland. The application window is currently closed and new applications will reopen in January 2025.

The purpose of the Foundation is to promote and advance the legal and business education and training of Scots lawyers and students of Scots law. Please note that the Foundation does not support students studying for LLB/Diploma other than in exceptional hardship circumstances, which should be explained in the application form

Find out more on the Clark Foundation website or contact clarkfoundation@lindsays.co.uk.