Scottish Residency for University

[HomeisbackinScotland]

Does anyone know where I can get some answers about being classed as a Scottish resident for (fee free) admission to Scottish Uni.

We moved away from Scotland several years ago when our DC were still at primary school. We have moved several times and our children now in English boarding schools.

We have for the past 3 years been trying to get back to Scotland with our jobs without much luck, although its looking very probable in 2 or 3 years time.

We were wondering how you are classed as a Scottish resident in the eyes of Scottish University. I know that being born in Scotland alone is not acceptable.

One option we are considering is when the children are at their next stage of education is to move them to a Scottish boarding school. Are boarding school children classed as Scottish residents? - as they spend majority of the year at boarding school over home and will be registered with local GP/health authority etc?

Obviously we know things can change at any time and with the referendum later this year its anyones guess what lies ahead but we are desperate to get back to scotland for lots of reasons and Uni funding is only a very small element. In an ideal world we would move the family home back there tomorrow but are stuck down south with jobs at the moments and just cant.

Does anyone know the answer to the question above or can anyone point me in the direction of website or organisation that may be able to help with my question.

Thanks in advance.

here

Don't think boarding school would count as normal residence

Oh and I just googled scottish university residence

They need to be ordinarily resident for three (or five?) years and boarding school doesn't count. You'd need to live here too.

No, it wouldn't count. Specifically - "We will not treat you as being ordinarily resident in Scotland if your main purpose in coming here has been to receive full-time education and that you would have otherwise been living elsewhere."

www.saas.gov.uk/full_time/ug/young/eligibility_residence.htm

But, surely if you are in a position to consider boarding school fees, university fees are not going to be too unreachable, are they?

Thank you everyone for your help and replies.

I just found that link AMumInScotland posted.

I thought as much.

Our employer pays the boarding fees currently.

Thank you anyway. Hopefully something will come up so we can get back up there sooner than later.

Okay where do you live at present? If it is in Europe then you can apply on the same basis as a Scottish student (assuming Scotland stays in the EU).
If you are outside Europe you have a problem with any university in the UK as you would probably be considered as liable for the higher Overseas rate of Uni fees.
Are you sure your children will want to go to a Scottish University?

Oh if you are in England, you do know they can borrow for University fees on the same basis as English students? Which isn't that bad really.

but if you can afford for them to go to boarding school then surely you can afford university fees anyway? what is the problem?
surely you are not trying to take advantage from both sides?

oh apologies I see your employers are paying.

Actually it's a lot more complicated than even te advice guides say. Ring saas there are many things they consider.

Friend told me of forces child at an English boarding school who got into a Scottish Univ fees free last summer as parents were longterm posted in Germany.

It is different for forces and other "Crown Servant" children.