Edinburgh · Founded 2012
Specialist InstitutionScotland's Rural College (SRUC)
A specialist institution in Edinburgh with a focused academic offer. 1,800 students. Free tuition for eligible Scotland-domiciled undergraduates via SAAS.
Rankings
- Guardian
- —
- Times
- —
- Student satisfaction (NSS)
- 80%
Cost of living
- Rent (halls)
- £600/mo
- Rent (private)
- £560/mo
- Other costs
- £700/mo
Known for
- • Agriculture
- • Veterinary Nursing
- • Rural Business
- • Environmental Science
SAAS tuition — what you’ll actually pay
If you’re a Scotland-domiciled undergraduate, SAAS pays Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)’s tuition fee (£1,820/year) directly to the university — you pay nothing. The SAAS code for applications is S34. For your maintenance loan and bursary estimate, use our SAAS calculator.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions about SRUC
Is Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) a Russell Group university?
No. Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is not a Russell Group member. In Scotland, only Edinburgh and Glasgow are in the Russell Group. However, non-Russell-Group Scottish universities — including St Andrews (consistently top 5 in the UK), Strathclyde (one of the UK's top engineering schools) and others — are widely respected. Russell Group membership is not a reliable quality indicator on its own.
How much is student rent at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)?
Average monthly rent in Edinburgh for SRUC students is approximately £600 in university halls and £560 in private rented accommodation. Other living costs (food, transport, utilities, social) add roughly £700 per month on top. These are indicative averages — actual costs depend on the specific hall or flat. Always check the university's accommodation pages for the latest prices.
Do I have to pay tuition at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)?
If you're a Scotland-domiciled undergraduate studying at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), SAAS pays the tuition fee (£1,820 per year) directly to the university — you pay nothing. The SAAS institution code for SRUC is S34. Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland pay a different fee set by the university. International students pay a higher fee again. Apply for SAAS at saas.gov.uk before the recommended deadline of 30 June.
What is Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) known for?
Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)'s strongest subject areas include Agriculture, Veterinary Nursing, Rural Business, Environmental Science. These are the departments most commonly cited in league tables and by employers. SRUC also has strong graduate employment in these areas — check the university's own graduate outcomes data for the most current figures.
What type of university is Scotland's Rural College (SRUC)?
Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is a specialist institution with a focused academic offer rather than the broad faculty structure of a traditional university.
Rankings, rent and living-cost figures checked April 2026. Rankings source: Guardian University Guide and The Times Good University Guide. Rent figures are indicative averages from council and university accommodation pages. Always confirm current prices with SRUCbefore committing. See our editorial policy for how we source and update this data.