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What will university actually cost?
Tuition is free for Scottish students — living costs are not. Pick a university, how your child will live, and your household income: this shows the realistic monthly budget, the SAAS support you’ll get, and the gap a part-time job or family contribution needs to cover.
Estimated annual gap at Aberdeen
£5,700
Costs exceed the full SAAS package — £475/month to find from work, savings or family
- Rent (university halls)
- £620/mo
- Food & groceries
- £200/mo
- Transport
- £50/mo
- Phone & broadband
- £30/mo
- Social & going out
- £120/mo
- Course costs
- £30/mo
- Total living costs
- £1,050/mo
Your SAAS support (2026/27)
- Tuition (paid for you — not a loan)
- £1,820/yr
- Bursary (non-repayable)
- £500/yr
- Loan (max)
- £6,400/yr
- Living support
- £6,900/yr ≈ £767/mo term-time
£24,001 – £34,000
The four-year picture
- Living costs over 4 years£50,400
- Loan debt if you borrow the max each year£25,600
- Tuition debt (Scotland)£0
Repaid on Plan 4: 9% of earnings above £31,395/year, written off after 30 years.
Local reality check — Aberdeen
Aberdeen's lower rents help, but halls can still leave a shortfall of around £100 per month against SAAS support. Many students close this with part-time work of 6–8 hours per week.
Estimates combine Aberdeen’s typical student budget (checked April 2026) with SAAS 2026/27 young-student rates. Rents vary by building and year — always check the university’s own accommodation pricing. Full Aberdeen profile
Planning ahead
SAAS deadlines and student finance changes by email
Rate changes, the SAAS application window and saving-for-university guidance — one short weekly email. No spam.
The School Bell
Weekly Scottish-education updates
Deadlines, benefit rate changes and the stuff you actually need to know — no spam.