Oxford University is set to provide up to £22,000 per
student in financial support in a bid to encourage more Scottish applicants. The
news comes in a year when various Universities have tripled their fees.
The money is offered in various bursaries and waived fees
for students from low-income families.
This offer could be one of the best financial deals
currently available in English universities.
The average Scottish student, from October onwards, faces
around £9,000 in University fees per term if they wish to attend an English
university. These fees and loans don't have to be paid off until they are
earning at least £15,795 a year, but it provides a potential deterrent for
potential Scottish students.
The deal is offered in two formats. Firstly, any Scottish
student with a family income of less than £16,000 is eligible to apply for the
full £22,000. This support is paid over three years. Furthermore, students with
a family income of less than £42,600 are also eligible for smaller amounts of
support.
Potential Uses
The main use of this bursary seems to help with
accommodation and other fees. A maximum bursary from Oxford is £4,300 in a
student's first year of study. The accommodation for this period can cost
£3,700, leaving money left over for various living expenses.
Likewise, the fee waivers help to encourage individuals who
are concerned about the £27,000 debt that is often accumulated by the end of a
three year period of study.
The benefit of this deal is that it enables more Scottish
students to consider studying at Oxford University. Only 280 applied this
academic year; only 50 of those were successful applicants.
Are you a Scottish
student who is considering studying in England? Would a scheme such as this
encourage you to attend Oxford University in pursuit of your first graduate job?