Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
Education and student funding are devolved. If you live outside England, applying to Student Finance England is wrong: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own agencies, their own rules and (for refugees in Scotland) free tuition.
Why this matters
devolved powersEducation and student funding are devolved matters. If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, the rules on fees, funding and support are different from England. The right agency depends on where you live — not on your nationality and not on the university you pick.
Comparison by nation
4 UK nations| Nation | Agency | Tuition fees (refugees) | Degree length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | SFE | Up to £9,790/year (2026/27, SFE loan) | 3 years (UG) | Baseline for comparison |
| Scotland | SAAS | £0 (free for New Scots) | 4 years (UG) | Glasgow International College — check separately |
| Wales | SFW | Home rate (similar to SFE) | 3 years (UG) | ESOL through the REACH network |
| Northern Ireland | SFNI | Up to £4,750/year | 3 years (UG) | FE colleges (Belfast Met) for ESOL |
Scotland (SAAS)
free tuition'New Scots' (refugees who have been granted leave to remain in Scotland) are treated as home students and are eligible for free tuition on a first undergraduate degree. SAAS funds the tuition and provides maintenance support.
- A Scottish undergraduate degree usually lasts 4 years, not 3.
- If you live in Scotland — apply through SAAS, not Student Finance England.
- If you live in Scotland but study in England — apply through SFE.
Commercial partner foundation programmes (such as GIC) may sit outside the SAAS funding route. Check this with SAAS or the University of Glasgow before you choose this route.
Wales (Student Finance Wales / SFW)
home rate- Wales treats refugees as home students.
- ESOL is organised through the REACH network (Regional ESOL Assessment Central Hub) — structured assessment and classes across Wales.
- The Welsh Government funds adult basic skills — Essential Skills Wales (the equivalent of the Adult Skills Fund in England).
- EU nationals with pre-settled status in Wales apply directly to SFW.
Northern Ireland (SFNI)
up to £4,750/year- Tuition fees are up to £4,750/year for home students (much lower than £9,790 in England in 2026/27).
- ESOL and Functional Skills for asylum seekers and refugees are delivered by FE colleges — for example, Belfast Metropolitan College.
- For current fees: belfastmet.ac.uk (do not rely on undated PDFs).
- SFNI can confirm the current rules for refugees and for people with Discretionary Leave.
Frequently asked questions
Do refugees in Scotland pay tuition fees?
No, if they have been granted leave to remain and live in Scotland. 'New Scots' (refugees with leave to remain in Scotland) are treated as home students and are eligible for free tuition on a first undergraduate degree. Funding is administered by SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland).
What is SAAS and how does it differ from SFE?
SAAS (Student Awards Agency Scotland) funds students in Scotland. If you live in Scotland and have refugee status, you apply through SAAS, not Student Finance England. Undergraduate degrees in Scotland usually last four years, not three.
Does SAAS fund Glasgow International College programmes?
This is not confirmed. Commercial partner foundation programmes (such as Glasgow International College) may sit outside the SAAS funding route. Check with SAAS or the University of Glasgow directly before you enrol.
Can refugees in Wales get student funding?
Yes. Wales treats refugees as home students. Funding comes from Student Finance Wales (SFW). ESOL in Wales is organised through the REACH network.
How much are tuition fees in Northern Ireland?
Up to £4,750 a year for home students — much lower than England (£9,535 in 2025/26, £9,790 from 2026/27). Funding is administered by Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI).
Should I apply through SFE if I live in Scotland?
No. If you live in Scotland and plan to study at a Scottish university, apply through SAAS. If you live in Scotland but plan to study in England, apply through SFE. The rule depends on where you live, not where you study.
Last updated: 8 May 2026. Sources: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland, Belfast Metropolitan College. Fee rates and funding rules change every academic year — check them on the official sites before you apply.