What Scottish Government Grants or Funds Am I Entitled To Get for my Education Courses?

If you are moving into higher education and are hoping to obtain funding to be able to pay for your course, you will want to know whether there are any funds or grants that you are entitled to. Here, we look at the various options which may be open to you depending on your personal circumstances.

Who Is Eligible For Funding?

Although students in the rest of the UK must pay fees for their higher education studies, Scottish students are often able to obtain funding to pay for the cost of their course. Whether or not an individual student is entitled to have their tuition fees paid will depend on several factors, including:

  • The college or university the student plans to attend
  • The course being taken
  • The residency status of the applicant
  • Whether or not this is the first high education course to be completed by the applicant.

As a general rule, any student who normally lives in Scotland and meets the residency criteria will probably be eligible to receive funding for their course fees from the SAAS.

The majority of high education funding which is available from the Scottish Government will only be awarded for the student’s first full time undergraduate course (or equivalent) at an institution in the Republic of Ireland or the UK. These courses include honours degrees, HNCs, HNDs and some postgraduate courses. Students who are eligible and who are taking a course which has a year abroad as part of the programme will receive their SAAS funding during their year away.

Anyone studying for an undergraduate course which requires a degree to gain entry, the only available funds are a student loan for living costs as well as supplementary grants.

Government Support When Studying In Scotland

For students who are going to be studying at a Scottish college or university, there are several funding options available.

  • A tuition fee grant – this covers the entirety of the course fees and does not need to be paid back. It is paid direct to the institution
  • A student loan – this covers living costs and the amount which is available to borrow will depend on the household income and where you are studying. These funds are paid to your bank and must be repaid after finishing the course and obtaining a job which pays a high enough salary.
  • Young Students’ Bursary – this is a grant which can be obtained every year to assist in paying for living costs and does not require repayment. It is paid directly into the student’s bank account and the amount available depends on household income.
  • Independent Students’ Bursary – this may be available instead of the Young Students’ Bursary and is offered to eligible students aged over 25. The amount depends on household income and does not need to be repaid.
  • Travel and insurance costs – if you are studying overseas as part of your course, it’s possible to claim back the costs of travel and any medical insurance

What About If I’m Studying Elsewhere In The UK?

If you are a Scottish student studying in the UK or Republic of Ireland, there is still government support available. The awards which are available are the same as those available to students who are studying in Scotland, although the tuition fees will be higher.

Anyone who is not eligible to receive government funding can speak to the university’s finance officer or search for a scholarship or sponsorship scheme.

Why becoming a accident claims solicitor in the UK might not be a good idea?

In England and Wales their is personal injury reforms and most accident claims victims will be unable to claim through a personal injury solicitors if the compensation amount is below £5,000. This will mainly effect whiplash type personal injury claims. However The Accident Claims Company reported that this will not effect accidents at work or public liability claims as the new reforms state that the new small claims limit on those type of claims will be £2,000. All law students should consider the new reforms as it could change the industry and there is likely be less work for personal injury solicitors.

What About Part Time Students?

If you are studying part time, you will not be eligible to receive any support for your living costs through the SAAS. However, there are other options available to you. You may possibly be able to obtain a Part Time Fee Grant which will help towards paying your tuition fees. In order to be eligible to receive this grant you must:

  • Earn under £25,000 per year
  • Be studying on a course that is worth a minimum of 30 credits

A year on a standard full time Scottish course usually awards 120 credits, and 360 credits is required to obtain an ordinary degree with 480 being necessary for an honours degree. By checking with your university you will be able to find out how many SCQF credits (Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework) your course will award you. Once you’ve registered with the SAAS you should make your grant application, and you must renew your grant application every year.

Part time students may not be able to obtain any other type of government funding, however if they have a disability they may be able to get assistance with some of their additional costs. Part time students are advised to check with their institution to determine what kind of support may be available to them.

The Differences Between The English And Scottish Law

Although both Scotland and England are part of the UK, Scotland has its own distinct judicial system and its own jurisdiction. Rather than being solely a Common Law system, Scottish law is a mixed system, and it is important to be aware of the differences, especially if you plan to study law in a Scottish institution.

The History Of Scottish Law

In 1707, the Treaty of Union made provision for Scotland to have its own judicial system as distinct from that in England. Historically, Scottish law adhered mainly to the influences and traditions of continental law, however in the 19th century, English laws began to assert themselves. In many ways, Scottish Law has a number of similarities to the law in South Africa with is Roman-Dutch in origin, however at the present time EU legislation has meant that many contemporary laws (especially those relating to consumer protection and commercial law) are valid across the entire UK, however in other fields, there are still clear differences between English and Scottish legislation. Nevertheless, a case which has been heard in a court in Scotland can still be referred to the Supreme Court of the UK.

In Scotland, the courts system consists of three separate courts – civil cases are tried in the courts of session, criminal cases in the court of judiciary and also the Sheriff Courts which are for both civil and criminal cases. In England, on the other hand, the courts system consists of judges who make a decision based on legal precedent. Overall power is held in the Supreme Court of the UK and the decision made there is final.

Scottish Laws Regarding Financial Settlement After Divorce

Just one of the areas in which Scottish Law and English Law differ dramatically is in the field of financial settlement following a divorce. The Family Law (Scotland) Act of 1985 adopts a fair sharing principle which is based on dividing up all total assets, usually in an even 50:50 split. While the financial requirements of both parties and any children is borne in mind, it is not top of the considerations. Spousal maintenance is restricted to just 3 years and it is very unlikely to continue for a long-term period.

Meanwhile, in England, the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 sets out that the needs of the parties and any children is paramount when determining a financial settlement following a divorce and sharing comes much lower down the priorities list. It is also very possible to obtain a divorce in England but not to address the matter of finances until many years later. Another major difference is in spousal maintenance, with “joint lives” orders being fairly common, meaning that the higher earning partner must pay the other maintenance for life.

Differences Regarding Wills And Probate Law

Another area in which there are considerable differences is in the drawing up of a will in both countries. In England, marriage invalidates any previous will, however in Scotland this is not the case, and in Scotland a will can be signed without any present witnesses, and witnesses can also be beneficiaries, which is not possible in England. Under Scottish law, children and spouses have “prior rights” and therefore cannot be excluded from their inheritance, which again is not the case in England.

Property Law Differences

One of the main areas of difference is in property law and conveyancing, with Scottish solicitors having a larger hold over the housing market than their English counterparts. In fact, in Scotland, solicitors often sell the properties themselves, acting as both legal advisor and estate agent. In England, a contract of sale must be negotiated, signed and then exchanged, in Scotland, several documents called missives are exchanged instead. These missives mean that transactions become binding quite early in the purchasing process, which means the gazumping is less likely to be a problem.

In England, surveys are paid for by the purchaser, whereas in Scotland, the seller deals with this element, and there are also differences in the laws relating to property taxes, with no Stamp Duty being payable in Scotland, but a Land and Building Transaction Tax being payable instead.

Differences between personal injury claims in England and Scotland

Whilst the process for claiming against personal injury is largely the same, there are a few notable differences. In Scotland, injury claims for the most part are successfully handled out of court. In Scotland there are two courts, the Sheriff Court for smaller claims and the Court of Session for more extensive claims. The size and severity of your personal injury claim in Scotland will determine which court is used, in comparison to England where small courts and law firms like Legal Helpline for personal injury claims handle claims of all sizes.

Claims classed as ‘No Win, No Fee’ in England are made under ‘tort’ law, but in Scotland this is called ‘delict’ law. They are fairly similar, but there are subtle differences with the potential to affect your actual claim.

If you’re claiming north of the border, it’s a known fact that personal injury claims aren’t likely to payout 100% of the compensation you’ve been awarded because solicitors there can take up to 30% of your entitlement. For this reason it’s always good to pay close attention to the CFA you sign with the solicitor and it will lay out clearly the % which will be taken.

This is just a brief look at some of the differences between laws in England and north of the border, and while some areas of law are extremely similar, such as employment law, there are often small differences which can be very important when it comes to taking a case to court. Even certain legal terms are different. For example, the crime of arson in England is called “fire raising” in Scotland. Anyone who is keen to study law must therefore make sure that they are applying for an appropriate course of study so that they will be able to practice in the country of their choice once they graduate.

What Is Scotland’s Highest Rated University?

Scotland is a popular place to study, not just for Scots but for people from all over the world. Home to some of the top performing universities not just in the UK but anywhere worldwide, Scotland is well known for its cultural diversity, rich heritage, beautiful landscapes and national traditions. For anyone who is keen to study north of the border, there are many outstanding institutions to choose from. But which is the highest rated university in Scotland?

The University Of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is currently ranked as the top institution in Scotland. The 6th oldest university anywhere in the English-speaking world, this institution has had a presence in the capital city of Scotland since 1583. Based in the “old town”, the university is still surrounded by beautifully preserved buildings from the era of the reformation and offers an amazing educational experience for its students.

Ranking joint 23rd out of all the institutions in the world and joint 5th across the whole of the UK, Edinburgh University has a clear role in the status of the city as a vibrant cultural centre for comedy and theatre and a hub of information and knowledge. Students come to study here from all around the globe and even the staff represent a wealth of cultures, with over 130 countries being represented in the hallowed halls. Known for its stimulating learning, teaching and working environment, this university offers impressive facilities which have attracted some of the best minds in history. Some of the best-known alumni include Noble prize-winning laureates, explorers, investors and pioneers.

Today, the university is home to over 35,000 students and continues to appeal to some of the brightest stars. Offering many methods of study from online courses on courses taught on campus, this institution is proud to be the biggest provider of distance learning among all of the Russell Group universities, with over 60 programmes on offer.

Research And Teaching Excellence

The University of Edinburgh was recently given the highest possible rating by the Quality Assurance Agency for the student learning experience on offer, and it’s easy to see why. There are over 500 different undergraduate courses to choose from as well as 300 masters degrees and 135 different areas of research.

This institution also holds a well-earned place as one of the UK’s top research universities, with 83% of its research being rated as internationally excellent or world leading, and taking 4th position in the whole of the UK for the breadth of quality of research.

Over the years, Edinburgh University’s culture of research has led to many world-changing discoveries including genetic cloning in the form of Dolly the sheep, the Higgs Boson particle and chloroform anaesthesia.

Student Support And Facilities

Students at the University of Edinburgh can expect to receive a high level of support with both their personal and academic needs. International students have their own special office where non-UK students and applicants can obtain assistance and for those who require help with the language there is also a specialist English Language Education department. Students can also benefit from a counselling service, health centre, disability service, childcare service, chaplaincy and Advice Place.

The university also offers an extensive library with 3.4 million books in print plus over 400,000 e-books and 45,000 electronic journals. As the campus has the biggest computing network on a campus anywhere in Britain, it’s a great place to take advantage of online services. When it comes to socialising, this institution won’t disappoint either with more than 280 student societies and group, 2 nightclubs and 12 bars across the campus.

Courses And Programmes

There is an enormous breadth of courses available at this institution, from medicine and nursing to English Literature and Applied Sports Science and everything in between. Although most undergraduate courses last for 4 years such as training to be a road traffic accident solicitor where specialist knowledge is needed of car accident compensation amounts, some graduate courses are shorter and other specialist programmes are longer, with medicine taking 6 years to complete and veterinary medicine and fine art taking 5 years.

Highly qualified applicants may be able to join the course in the second year and have a three year programme instead of 4.

The undergraduate programmes are very flexible with most courses giving students the opportunity to study a broad spectrum of subjects in the first two years before taking specialist subjects in the third and fourth years. There are also international exchange opportunities, with students being able to experience education in more than 270 places worldwide.

Graduates leaving the University of Edinburgh can also look forward to excellent career prospects, with 80% of leavers qualifying with a 2:1 award or First. The institutions alumni are also among some of the top earners in the UK with a £49,500 salary within 5 years of graduating, making studying at Edinburgh an excellent prospect for ambitious learners.

What is the Union of the Parliament?

Although it seems that Scotland and England have always been joined, in fact it was not until 1707 that an official Treaty was drawn up to merge the two countries into a single state – a state which has since been known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain. The parliaments in Edinburgh and Westminster were then replaced by the Parliament of Great Britain, which was held in Westminster with Scottish representatives being present.

What Are The Acts of Union?

The Acts of Union were 2 Parliamentary Acts – the first was the 1706 Union With Scotland Act which was passed by the English Parliament and the second was passed in 1707, the Union With England Act which was passed by the Scottish Parliament. These two Acts together put into effect the Treaty of Union terms which had already been agreed in July 1706. The two Acts of Union joined together the two separate kingdoms of Scotland and England into a single kingdom which would be called Great Britain.

A Shared Monarch But No Shared Parliament

Although Scotland and England had had the same monarch since 1603 and the Union of the Crowns when the Scottish King, James VI inherited the throne of England following Queen Elizabeth I’s death, the two countries remained almost entirely separate with their own Parliaments. Although there had been previous attempts to unite both countries through Acts of Parliament (most notably in 1606, 1667 and in 1689), these had been unsuccessful, and therefore it was not until the first few years of the 18th century that the political establishments of both countries started to support the concept.

What Were The Reasons For The Union Of The Parliament?

There were many reasons which were given for the Union of the Parliaments, and although the concept was extremely unpopular with the ordinary people in Scotland, most of them had no vote and therefore had no voice on the matter. The primary reasons include:

  • Although the single crown and two Parliaments system had worked for much of the 100 years that it had been in place, there had been times when there had been difficulties. Once such time was when King Charles I was executed by the English parliament and became, for a time, a republic, while the governing body in Scotland intended to appoint Charles II to be their country’s ruler. The parliament in London wanted to avoid this happening in future and were determined to remove the Scottish Parliament to ensure this.
  • After King James VII abdicated and William and Mary took the throne, some people in Scotland continued to support the old monarch, causing years of uprisings.
  • In both Scotland and England there was considerable religious intolerance, however the deposed Stuarts, who were Catholic, had a strong claim to the throne, and many in Scotland believed that this was relevant. So, when the parliament in England decided to give the crown to the house of Hanover, the parliament in Scotland was extremely resentful.
  • Scotland suffered from several poor harvests during the 1690s and this led to a weak economic position in the country. This situation was then worsened by the failed Scottish colony in Panama which led to the country losing a quarter of its liquid assets. When the Act of Union was passed, 400,000 pounds of compensation in payment to those who had lost money was part of the deal.
  • Scotland was heavily dependent on half of its exports being sent to England, however in 1705 the market was closed by the English Parliament to Scottish linen, coal and cattle while also excluding Scotland from the colonies. This problem was solved by the Acts of Union in 1707.

What Were The Provisions Of The Acts of Union?

The Treaty of Union, which was agreed between the English and Scottish parliamentary representatives in 1706, comprised 25 articles, of which 15 were economically related. The Acts of Union incorporated provisions to ensure that Scotland would be able to send its own representative peers to the House of Lords while also guaranteeing that the established church in Scotland would continue to be the Church of Scotland. Other provisions included that the Court of Session would remain in place and that Scottish law would also stay in force. The 1701 Act of Settlement was also restated as well as the ban which prevented Roman Catholics from succeeding to the throne. A monetary and customs union were also created.

What Were The Benefits Of The Acts of Union?

Scotland gained a number of benefits from the Acts of Union, including gaining freedom of trade, not only with England but with the colonies too, thus expanding their markets. The Presbyterian church was granted permanent status, and the country also retained its own courts and law system. By the end of the 18th century, Scotland and England had become almost fully united, and the city of Glasgow was acknowledged to be one of Great Britain’s most thriving and successful cities. One of the greatest benefits that Scotland gained from the Acts of Union was that it brought to an end the domination that England had held over the country since 1603. Of course, there were benefits for England too, not least a greater sense of security that Scotland would no longer form a threat.

What is The Curriculum for Excellence?

The Curriculum For Excellence has been developed in Scotland to help young people and children to obtain the attributes, skills and knowledge necessary to equip them for life today. These include the essential skills for work, life and learning. The purpose of the Curriculum for Excellence is to help young people to become confident as individuals, successful as learners, responsible citizens and also effective contributors to society as a whole.

What Does The Curriculum Include?

The Curriculum for Excellence has been designed to improve and transform Scotland’s education system by supplying the nation’s children with a more enriched, flexible and coherent curriculum from the age of 3 right up to the age of 18. When the term “curriculum” is used in this context it means everything which is planned for young people and children through the entirety of their education and not solely what they are taught inside the classroom.

There are four “contexts for learning” which are included in the Curriculum for Excellence. These include:

  • Curriculum subjects and areas
  • The life and ethos of the school
  • Interdisciplinary learning opportunities
  • Opportunities for personal achievement

The Stages And Levels Of The Curriculum

There are two stages of the Curriculum for Excellence:

  • Broad General Education – this is from the age of 3 up to the end of S3
  • Senior Phase – this is from S4 up to S6

The broad general education phase encompasses five levels which are:

  • Early
  • 1st
  • 2nd
  • 3rd
  • 4th

Meanwhile, the Senior phase is designed to build further on the outcomes and experiences obtained during the child’s broad general education phase, and to enable young people to take courses and qualifications which best suit their interests and abilities.

Areas Of The Curriculum

There are currently 8 areas covered under the Curriculum for Excellence:

  • Well-being and health
  • Languages (English, modern languages, Gaidhlig and Gaelic learners)
  • Expressive arts
  • Mathematics
  • Sciences
  • Technologies
  • Social Studies
  • Moral and religious education

Numeracy, health and well-being and literacy are all recognised to be especially important and are the responsibility of every member of staff, regardless of their specialist subject.

The Principles Of The Curriculum’s Design

When practitioners are planning the children’s learning, they must take into account these 7 broad principles:

  • Enjoyment and challenge
  • Progression
  • Breadth
  • Depth
  • Coherence
  • Choice and personalisation
  • Relevance

What Does The Curriculum For Excellence Involve?

The CfE has been developed over the course of several years by working with parents, teachers, the business community and the wider education community. With extra emphasis being placed on skill development, the encouragement of personal achievement and inter-disciplinary learning, the new National Qualifications which are now available in Scottish schools have been designed to offer young people greater flexibility with a renewed focus on skill development and the application of their learning in real-life situations.

The previous Access, Standard Grade and Intermediate qualifications have been replaced by National Qualifications 1-5 and the Advanced Higher and Higher qualifications have also seen revision in order to guarantee that the Curriculum for Excellence has been fully reflected.

Schools have also been given greater flexibility to design the curriculum for their Senior Phase pupils, and a variety of approaches are now being adopted in schools across Scotland which are aimed at accommodating the specific requirements of learners in their own distinct area. All of Scotland’s higher education institutions gave now published statements which set out the way in which their admission policy responds to the Curriculum for Excellence.

Carers and parents are now recognised as key partners in children’s education, and their vital role is now being acknowledged in supporting the choices and learning of their child as well as their chances in life. The government in Scotland has also recognised that parents require access to high quality and easily obtaining information about the education of their child, and they are now encouraged to become involved in school bodies such as the parent council or PTA, and also to familiarise themselves with the school handbook.

The Current Areas On Which Scottish Educational Policies Are Focusing On

Scottish Ministers have defined the specific areas of children’s learning journeys which represent additional scope for further development. Current topics in the curriculum where development programmes and policy initiatives are being put in place include:

  • Foreign languages
  • Scots and Gaelic languages
  • Instrument music
  • Numeracy and literacy
  • Learning for Sustainability
  • STEM subjects (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
  • Religious observance

The Curriculum for Excellence is designed to take Scotland’s education system into the 21st century and to help raise future generations of skilled and independent learners who can take responsibility for their own education and maximise their potential.