Scots studying in England. £££s

[FriendlyLaundryMonster]

Ds is keen on Imperial, but is Scottish. Just trying to get my head round financing at the moment. All advice welcome. It looks like SAAS no longer give a London weighting to student loans. Ds would receive the minimum loan which I think is around £5,100. In terms of tuition, the £9,250 pa would be given as a loan. So, even before any living expenses, when he finishes uni, he'd have almost £60K of debt. This just seems so high. Imperial quote living expenses as just shy of £19K pa, considering that he'll get a loan of £5K, that leaves a shortfall of £14K! He's applied to two Scottish unis as well and hopefully will be offered a place, but Imperial is so competitive to get in to and so highly ranking, I know he'd love to go if he's offered the option.

Why only apply for two Scottish universities? Which course at imperial?

Imperial offers scholarships but suspect most are needs based so you might not be eligible if you only qualify for minimum Scottish loan. There might be small amounts of academic scholarships. One year less of study and so one year earlier to work so remember to factor this in. If subject is engineering then paid summer internships available as early as end of first year so will offset extra London costs.

DDs school were really good at warning parents that if you were thinking of high cost English unis then start saving.

After 1st year your DS could get a uni accommodation job in return for lower rent (DD does this), look at cheaper accommodation options, get term time/summer job if you can't make up the difference.

If capable of Imperial the Oxford/Cambridge would be cheaper.

It's not worth going down south unless oxbridge.

Plus it's much cheaper to go there for general/ accommodations costs than London.

Cost is a big one if Scottish and choosing an English University. Oxbridge appears a lot cheaper accommodation wise. Imperial even years ago was very expensive (sardine accommodation as well).

I definitely think Imperial is worth the cost of tuition fees etc. It is a brilliant and highly respected uni. Hopefully the earning potential with a degree from there would be worth far more than the additional cost.

Thanks everyone. He was pooled for Cambridge but not picked out the pool and his other option is a sponsored option, so looking at different things. Not engineering. I agree Imperial is a brilliant and world-ranking uni, so hopefully will be worth the expense.

Yes, Imperial is top class. If he’s offered a place, it would be foolish not to take it. Still, if he wants to study a science, I’d say Edinburgh is pretty equal to Imperial. Good luck anyway.

It doesn't make up the difference in outgo but if he takes a 3 year degree from Imperial then can earn a full year's salary in the year afterwards, when he would otherwise still be studying on a 4 year Scottish programme.

Some Scottish degrees do have year 2 entry of course but not all.

I have a few friends with kids at Imperial. Who have had really horrid accommodation or struggled with the social side. And these are bright lovely young people. There seemed to be little organised for new students and less of a normal university experience, combined with a huge workload. Just anecdotal of course but it has put my sons off applying, even though we didn’t have the same logistical or financial issues.

It has a v good reputation but get your son to try and speak to students on his course before committing. It’s a long way for you and lots of money.

Thank you; will do!

It's a big ask financially for a Scottish student! Would Scotland for UG and Imperial for Masters be an option?

Reading this thread with great interest. Similar situation here. Get increased debt (but potentially greater future earning potential) or free fees. DS has applied for Scottish and English Unis. Actually think in a great number of circumstances it is far easier for an English student to get into a Scottish Uni with lower grades.

Which ones has he applied for @yoyo1234 ? Has he heard anything from the Scottish ones yet?

Hello, he has applied to Glasgow (offer of "B"). That was only Scottish uni. There were so many stories running round about the difficulty of getting into Scottish universities if you are Scottish he avoided them. Rest are English (Bath, Bristol, Cambridge, Imperial).

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean, 'offer of B'. Do you mean it's his second choice? Or he has an offer? My ds also had Cambridge, was pooled but not picked out the pool. I'm sure they'll all find their spot, it's just excruciatingly stressful waiting to see what will happen!

@FriendlyLaundryMonster his offer from Glasgow is conditional and requires him to get a grade "B" in 3 of his upcoming exams in the summer.

Sorry just needs to get 1xB out of his 3 subjects. Bath require an A and a B out of his 3 exams.