The Scottish Government has recently published changes to the rules about who qualifies to be treated as a “home” student for Student Support and University fees.
The University welcomes the changes for Ukrainian nationals. These changes recognise the challenges facing people fleeing conflict and the role that Higher Education can play in helping people build their lives in Scotland.
What the changes mean
Students who are applying to start a course with the University for the academic year 2022/23 (or later) will be eligible to be treated as a “home” student if they meet the following requirements:
- You have applied for or have already been granted permission to stay in the UK under one of the following schemes:
- The Ukraine Family Scheme (the scheme for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict to join family in the UK)
- The Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (the “Homes for Ukraine” scheme)
- The Ukraine Extension Scheme ( a scheme for Ukrainians already in the UK to extend their stay because they cannot return home)
- Ukrainians who left Ukraine as a result of the invasion and have applied to the Home Office for “Leave Outside the Immigration Rules”
And
- You’re resident (living) in Scotland. If you are resident elsewhere in the UK and are planning to move to Scotland to start your course (even if you will move on or before the relevant date), you should apply for funding from the relevant funding body for your place of residence – see UKCISA's web pages on Government Student Support for more information
What does “home” fees mean and what does Student Support include?
If you’re eligible for “home” fees this means that you will be treated like other local Scottish students and charged the lowest rate of fee for a course. Student Support is the package of funding that local students receive from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).
Undergraduate
If you’re offered a place on an undergraduate course, you will be able to apply to SAAS for a Tuition Fee Grant which will cover your tuition fees. The Tuition Fee Grant is NOT a loan. You can also apply for student loans (and possibly supplementary grants and bursaries, depending on your circumstances).
If your offer is “conditional” (for example because you need to sit an English language test) you can still begin the application process. You can find out more on the SAAS Undergraduate funding page.
Postgraduate taught
If you’re offered a place on a postgraduate taught course (a Masters or Postgraduate Diploma) you will be able to apply to SAAS for a loan to help with tuition fees and living costs.
If your offer is “conditional” (for example because you need to sit an English language test) you can still begin the application process. You can find out more on the SAAS Postgraduate funding page.
How can I apply for a course?
Undergraduate
Have a look at our undergraduate pages. Each course page gives details of our entry requirements for the course. If we offer a course you’d like to study and you believe you meet the entry requirements, please make an application.
To apply directly to the University of Strathclyde, please search for the course you're interested in. An ‘Apply’ tab will be available for you to select and this will provide you with the ‘Direct Applications’ service. If the link is not available, please contact the department directly through the ‘Contact us’ tab.
Postgraduate taught
Have a look at our Postgraduate taught pages. Each course page gives details of our entry requirements for the course and the tuition fees for the course. If we offer a course that you’d like to study and you believe you meet the entry requirements, you can apply by clicking the “Apply” button on the relevant page.
To apply directly to the University of Strathclyde, please search for the course you're interested in. An ‘Apply’ tab will be available for you to select and this will provide you with the ‘Direct Applications’ service. If the link is not available, please contact the department directly through the ‘Contact us’ tab.
You’ll need access to a computer and to be able to upload scans or photographs of qualifications and other documents.
If you've lost a copy of your qualification, please contact the department directly via the relevant course page using the ‘Contact us’ tab. The department will be able to confirm what evidence is required.
Please contact the organisations below for more information and advice:
If you have a valid visa under one of the schemes listed above you’ll be able to start your course, but you should seek further advice from the organisations listed above, or from a lawyer that specialises in immigration, about what your options are likely to be when your visa ends. We can allow you to study as long as you have a valid visa under the schemes above or another visa that allows you to study.
You may still qualify to be treated as a Home fee payer and for SAAS support, but the rules in this area are complex. You can read more about this topic on the UKCISA website.
Information for current Ukrainian Students
If you’re already studying with us and the conflict has impacted your finances, please apply for Financial Support.
Please let our admissions team know by emailing a copy of your application confirmation or new BRP (if you have it) to fees.admissions@strath.ac.uk.
Please email our International Student Support Team at infoandadvice@strath.ac.uk.
We can advise on your student visa, and we can help you access legal advice about the Ukraine Extension Scheme.