Crossing Borders

What UK country you come from and which one you plan to study in could well have an effect on your pocket. However, the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the Northern Ireland Assembly have all flagged their intentions to make sure that their students accepting places at English (or Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish, as applicable) universities are not financially disadvantaged by the introduction of the new funding arrangements

Crossing borders by university students (%)

*= less than 1%UCAS 2010

Nonetheless, there have been concerns about increased migration across borders of would-be undergraduates seeking refuge from higher fees or less generous grants and bursaries. The Welsh and Scottish universities have a long tradition of welcoming scholars from elsewhere and are already net importers of students from the other UK countries. The Scots, facing a shortfall in recruitment of home-grown medical staff, have a particular concern about the potential for increased numbers coming into their medical schools from south of the border. They have put in place, therefore, preferential financial treatment for students staying in their own country. Conversely, to make sure that there is no significant increase in students coming to Scotland, their universities charge incomers a Tuition Fee. See our Crossing Borders table below for the movement of students who 'cross borders' to study in a UK country other than their own.

It is important to weigh up the actual cost of 'crossing borders' as it is not just about the fee level. For example, many Scottish degrees involve an extra year of study and that year would obviously incur additional costs. The cost of flights or train journeys to and from your home three or more times a year may also be a consideration!

The financial arrangements for those of you planning to study in a UK country other than where you live are rather complicated, but here is a brief overview:

• Students based in one UK country who choose to study elsewhere in the UK will pay the tuition fees charged by their chosen university but will be eligible for the usual Tuition Fee Loan to cover these. They are also eligible for the various grants and bursaries described, including the Welsh Bursary Scheme in Wales. Any Maintenance Loan or Maintenance Grant will still come from the awarding bodies in your own country. In addition, you will need to consult the individual universities of specific interest to you for their bursaries and scholarships.
• The Tuition Fee Loan for Scottish students going to Northern Ireland or England, like the Fee Loans available in the other UK countries, has to be repaid but does not depend at all on family income. It is part alleviated for students from low-income families by the means-tested Students' Outside Scotland Bursary which does not have to be repaid. This gives a maximum of £2,640 and operates at the same thresholds as the Young Students' Bursary. You might also qualify for the same Additional Loan of £785 maximum.
• Students from EU countries other than the UK are liable for the standard home (not international) tuition fee but can also be considered for a Tuition Fee Loan and perhaps for some of the bursaries offered by the individual universities, but exchange students, including those on the Socrates Erasmus programme will not be charged fees. You will not have to pay tuition fees in Scotland and, like Scottish students, you will no longer be expected to contribute to the recently abolished Graduate Endowment. Unless you have been living and studying in the UK for at least three years, you will notbe eligible for the Maintenance Loans and Grants outlined above, so you should seek any such financial support available from your own country.

As we have said, all of these new funding arrangements for students are far-reaching. They are also likely to prove decidedly complex and confusing to you! We strongly advise you to check out the full story as it affects you: take a look at our country by country summary of the possible financial support available and consult the key country websites for the most up-to-date information:

• England Student Finance England
• Northern Ireland Student Finance Northern Ireland
• Scotland SAAS
• Wales Student Finance Wales

In our opinion, you cannot start this monitoring and research too early because there will be much to do. No sooner will you have completed your UCAS application then it will be time to apply for financial support. Check our Loans & Grants Timetable and read Financial Support & Family Income which gives, by way of example, a basic summary of your eligibility for the various components of the support package in England.

The rules and regulations for  Student Loans,  Maintenance Grants and  other supplementary payments(for disabled students, applicants with dependents, single parents, care leavers, and for some essential travel costs) are somewhat complicated and you are urged to read the table below:

Country by country summary of the possible financial support available

Next page: Other Financial Support