University preparation in Scotland for international studens. List of 10 top institutions, 2022 fees, rankings
Education information
Nowadays, Scotland is one of the most popular countries among international students wishing to get high-quality education abroad. SMAPSE offers 10 best Scottish schools and colleges where foreign students can get preparation courses that will help to enter prestigious universities in Scotland and abroad. Due to the list of TOP-10 prestigious schools and colleges in Scotland, you will definitely find the most appropriate option. Please, don't hesitate to contact SMAPSE experts at any time as they are always ready to answer all your questions.
Best courses and programs for international students in Scotland
Foreign students can get higher education in Scotland in two ways: after graduating from a high school with a certificate and IELTS 6.0 or after the Foundation program.
Scottish International Foundation Program - a program that will help students from other countries to enter universities in Scotland: Aberdeen, Robert Gordon, Dundee. Here is a list of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country.
|
University |
Location |
Year of foundation |
|
|
University of St Andrews |
St Andrews, Fife |
1410 |
|
|
University of Glasgow |
Glasgow |
1451 |
|
|
University of Aberdeen |
Aberdeen |
1495 |
|
|
University of Edinburgh |
Edinburgh |
1582 |
|
|
University of Strathclyde |
Glasgow |
1796 |
|
|
Heriot Watt University |
Edinburgh |
1821 |
|
|
Dundee University |
Dundee |
1881 |
|
|
Stirling University |
Stirling |
1967 |
|
|
University of Edinburgh Napier |
Edinburgh |
1964 |
|
|
Robert Gordon University |
Aberdeen |
1750 |
|
For entering Scottish International Foundation Program, a candidate must have a certificate with a high average mark and pass the IELTS or TOEFL. Depending on student's level of knowledge and the result that he wants to get, the program can last from 3 to 12 months:
- 3-month program. This is mainly a summer course (from July to September), the main goal is to prepare an applicant for exams in specific subjects. Estimated cost - £ 1,750
- 9-month program. The course begins in January and lasts until September. Such a program is suitable for those who have high final exam results after school. Here, students and teenagers will be able to prepare for the Foundation exams in September, and then go through the university entrance step in October. Estimated cost - £ 4,850
- 12-month program. It starts in September. Foreign students study intensive English course that allows to get excellent English proficiency to enter universities in Scotland + an SCE educational certificate of the Scottish standard, which is quoted at many universities.
Both exams indicated in the last program, in case of successful passing, can be counted upon admission to a Scottish university. However, if the SCE exam is successfully passed, Foundation certification doesn't need to be passed. In other cases, when enrolling, a combination of the results of two exams is considered.
To achieve the best result in preparation, SMAPSE experts recommend foreign students to study Foundation program for 1-2 years in Scottish high school.
Advantages of prep courses in Scotland for foreign students
- High level of education. Scotland deserves this status, there are 4 universities from the list of TOP-200 universities in the world (according to The Times)
- Compliance with high international standards. Diplomas issued by Scottish universities are highly appreciated throughout the world. Over 80% of Scottish graduates find a prestigious job within six months of graduation
- Low cost of studying in comparison with other European countries. The average cost of living and studying during the month is from 500 to 1000 pounds
- Friendly student atmosphere. This country is so compact that makes it one large student city. Every year, students from more than 150 countries come here to study - this is more than 45 thousand people!
The cost of studying in Scotland, as already mentioned, is lower than in other countries. The annual preparation for a university in Scotland depending on the institution (school, college, university course) will cost in the range from 6,000 to 13,000 pounds per year. Payment for one trimester is in the range of 3 to 5 thousand pounds.
Top 5 best schools in Scotland 2022
| 1 | Fettes College |
| 2 | Glenalmond College Perth |
| 3 | Strathallan School |
| 4 | St. Leonards School |
| 5 | Dollar Academy |
Learning programs-summary information
| Name | Meaning | Equivalent | Min. age | Duration, years |
Next stage | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCSE | General certificate of secondary education | secondary education (non-accomplished) | 14 | 1–2 | A-Levels | 15,000 USD+ |
| A-Levels | Advanced level | secondary education (accomplished) | 16 | 2 | University | 15,000 USD+ |
| BTEC | Business and Technology Education Board | secondary special education | 14 | 2–3 | University/ work | 15,000 USD+ |
| Oxbridge Preparation | Preparing for Oxford and Cambridge | secondary education (accomplished) | 17 | 1 | University | 15,000 USD+ |
| International Baccalaureate | International baccalaureate | secondary education (accomplished) | 16 | 2 | University | 18,000 USD+ |
| Foundation/ Pathway Year | Preparatory year | admission to the 1st year of university | 17 | 1 | University | 14,000 USD+ |
| NCUK | The Northern consortium | 2 year university | 17,5 | 1 | 2 year University of NCUK | 13,000 USD+ |
| Special Preparation (Medics/Math/Business) | Specialized training | - | 14 | optional | optional | 4,000 USD+ |
| Academic English | Academic English | Language school | 8 + | 6–12 months | School or University | 8,000 USD+ |
Top 21 best boarding colleges in England 2022
| 1 | Cardiff Sixth Form College |
| 2 | National Mathematics and Science College |
| 3 | Abbey College Cambridge |
| 4 | d'Overbroeck's College |
| 5 | MPW London |
| 6 | CATS Cambridge |
| 7 | Kensington Park |
| 8 | DLD London |
| 9 | King's College St Michael’s |
| 10 | Bellerbys Cambridge |
| 11 | Chelsea Independent College |
| 12 | MPW Cambridge |
| 13 | Bellerbys Brighton |
| 14 | CATS London |
| 15 | St Clare's Oxford |
| 16 | Bishopstrow College |
| 17 | CATS Canterbury |
| 18 | Bellerbys London |
| 19 | Ealing Independent College |
| 20 | Cambridge Tutors College |
| 21 | Abbey Manchester |
Top 35 best universities and colleges in Canada 2022
| 1 | University of Toronto |
| 2 | McGill University |
| 3 | University of British Columbia |
| 4 | University of Alberta |
| 5 | Simon Fraser University |
| 6 | Montreal University |
| 7 | University of Windsor |
| 8 | York University |
| 9 | University of Guelph |
| 10 | McMaster University |
| 11 | University of Manitoba |
| 12 | University of Waterloo |
| 13 | Royal Roads University |
| 14 | Vancouver Film School |
| 15 | Kwantlen Polytechnic University |
| 16 | University of Calgary |
| 17 | Dalhousie University |
| 18 | Fanshawe College |
| 19 | University of Ottawa |
| 20 | Laval University |
| 21 | Sheridan College |
| 22 | University of Regina |
| 23 | Brock University |
| 24 | Thompson Rivers University |
| 25 | Humber College |
| 26 | Vancouver Island University |
| 27 | Mohawk College |
| 28 | Centennial College Toronto |
| 29 | Niagara College |
| 30 | Capilano University |
| 31 | Seneca College |
| 32 | Algoma University |
| 33 | Saint Clair College |
| 34 | Douglas College |
| 35 | LaSalle College |
Accommodation in Scotland
| Shared room outside of centre | 604 |
|---|---|
| Shared room in city centre | 795 |
| 1 bedroom apartment outside of centre | 914 |
| 1 bedroom apartment in city centre | 1242 |