Higher Education courses are those at Higher National Certificate level or above (that is Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF) level 7 or above). They can be taken at colleges or at universities throughout the UK and include:
• an undergraduate honours degree;
• an undergraduate ordinary degree; and
• a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND).
The amount of support you will get for a Higher Education course will depend on a number of factors including your age, personal/financial circumstances and whether the course of study is full-time or part time/distance-learning.
Full Time
A full-time course:
• in a higher education institution involves the student in an average of at least 21 hours study a week, including private study, for periods of more than 24 weeks per year or, in the final year, for 24 weeks or less if the earlier years met the definition of full-time;
• in a further education college delivers at least 12 SCQF credits or 480 planned hours within the academic year.
Most students will get their tuition fees paid by Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). The main support for Higher Education will be through a student loan which will be partly income-assessed. There is a bursary available and a number of income-assessed grants (such as travel expenses and grants for lone parents and those who have a disability). More information is available on the full-time study page.
Part Time
Part-time study includes all study that is not full-time and can range from a morning/afternoon or evening class, day or block release, and can include infilling into classes of full-time courses.
Most students studying part-time and on distance-learning courses will have to pay tuition fees. However, a ‘fee waiver’ scheme can give you support with your fees if you are a less well-off student studying. Contact your college or university for more information.
Students studying part-time or through distance-learning are not eligible for living cost assistance. Students who are working towards at least 50% of a higher education qualification may get loans of up to £500 to help with course related costs. These are available to higher education students on low incomes who meet eligibility criteria. You may also be eligible for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you have extra costs to do your course because you have a disability. Contact SAAS if you want more information about the loan or the DSA. More detailed information is available on the part-time study page.