find your perfect postgrad program
Search our Database of 30,000 Courses
Universities in Scotland
Find a postgraduate program in SCOTLANDScotland is part of the United Kingdom, along with England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
With its excellent selection of highly ranked universities, featuring numerous postgraduate programs and world-class research, Scotland is the perfect place to pursue your postgraduate education.
Whether it’s planning for the yearly Edinburgh Fringe Festival, hunting down gourmet food or trekking through hill and dale, your time at university in Scotland is guaranteed to be filled with fabulous memories.
So, let’s take a look at the specific universities as categorised by region and city.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is the third largest Scottish city with a thriving city life. Set among beautiful coastline, you can easily fill your time with outdoor pursuits – or your nights with local music and nightclubs or pubs to suit your mood. It also has great travel links with the rest of the UK – so don't worry about getting around. Aberdeen is top four in the UK for affordability according to the QS Best Student Cities 2025 – making it a great place to be a student.
University of Aberdeen
- Hosts one of the oldest student societies, with its debating union being founded in 1848
- There are 120 countries represented among its students
- The University of Aberdeen has its own tartan – created in 1992 for the 500th anniversary (celebrated in 1995)
The important things
Money:
The tuition fees for masters degree courses for UK students at the University of Aberdeen start from around £11,000, although there may be exceptions. International tuition fees are between £22,000-£28,000. Advised living costs by the University of Aberdeen are £1,023 per month.
Facilities:
The University of Aberdeen has a stunning multi award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, home to over one million books, a special collections centre, and over 1,200 study spaces. There are also dedicated, specialist libraries for students studying Medicine, Divinity and Law. Aberdeen also has a state-of-the-art Science Teaching Hub, providing specialist teaching, training and learning facilities. Aberdeen Sports Village is the premier sports facility in the North-East of Scotland, with an Olympic-size swimming pool, a full-size indoor 3G football pitch, indoor and outdoor running tracks, a large gym and fitness suite, squash courts, and more facilities. Given that it’s ranked in the top ten universities for student experience in the UK by WhatUni?, you know you’ll have a great time here.
Postgrad info:
2,500 postgraduate students
Over 120 taught postgraduate courses
Robert Gordon University
- 97% graduate employability (latest national Graduate Outcomes Survey)
- No.2 in Scotland and top 10 in the UK for teaching quality (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
- 3rd in Scotland for learning opportunities (National Student Survey 2024)
The important things
Money:
The cost of postgraduate courses is hugely variable – but on average, you’re looking at around £8,000 per annum if you’re a UK student (although some are much dearer, so do check it out yourself). International students can expect to pay around £15,000–£19,000 per annum, although again, it’s very varied. The estimated living costs by Robert Gordon University is £1,157–£1,480.
Facilities:
The School of Pharmacy is the oldest in the UK and it’s recognised by the World Health Organisation. In addition, Robert Gordon University has invested £10 million into its sports facilities – adding climbing walls, a pool and three exercise studios.
Postgrad info:
6,000+ postgraduate students
Over 90 taught postgraduate courses
Dundee
Dundee is Scotland's fourth largest city and with two universities, there’s double the student fun to be had! With a great concert venue, an arts centre and even an Ice Arena, there’s plenty to get up to in your spare time. Plus, Dundee is known for having more green spaces and hours of sunlight than any other Scottish city, so you may even be able to sunbathe!
Abertay University
- It was the first university in the world to offer a computer games degree in 1997, and is ranked top 10 in the world for postgraduate computer games programs by the prestigious Princeton Review
- The international student community is from over 60 different countries
- David Jones, creator of Grand Theft Auto, is an alumnus
The important things
Money:
Postgraduate course tuition fees for Scottish students are around £7,000, although there may be exceptions. Postgraduate students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and ROI can expect to pay around £10,400 per annum. International student masters degrees tuition fees are around £19,000 per annum. Dundee is one of the most affordable UK cities to live in, and monthly household costs are roughly 20% cheaper than the national average, so Dundee can give you great value for money. Estimated living costs are around £900 per month.
Facilities:
The university itself is based is in Dundee, all within a quarter of a mile. It's also just a quick walk into the city centre. It boasts the award-winning Bernard King Library, which provides study spaces to suit everyone’s needs with fantastic facilities including group rooms with plasma TVs as well as quiet nooks and crannies to read in. In addition to these great studying facilities, the student centre actually has its own nightclub so you don’t even need to go offsite to have fun.
Postgrad info:
450 postgraduate students
Around 30 taught postgraduate courses
University of Dundee
- Founded with a donation from Mary Ann Baxter, the University of Dundee opened with a policy of no gender discrimination – leading to it having Margaret Fairlie, Scotland's first female professor
- Dundee graduates more students into the professions than any other Scottish university, plus its graduates command among the highest starting salaries in the UK – second only to those from Oxbridge
- Scottish University of the Year 2025 (Daily Mail University Guide 2025)
The important things
Money:
Tuition fees for the postgraduate courses for Scottish and UK students are variable, but start at around £10,500 per annum. For international students, you’re looking at around £23,000 for a masters degree program. Living costs for students at the University of Dundee are estimated to be between £10,000–£12,000 for the academic year (39 weeks).
Facilities:
Over a decade ago, the University of Dundee underwent a £300m waterfront re-development, leading to the opening of the V&A gallery in 2015. It’s a compact campus located just five minutes from the city centre. The Sport and Active Health (SpAH) offers a range of high-class sport and exercise facilities on campus, including tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a spacious gym with a specialist strength training area, exercise studios and a cycle studio. Dundee also has plenty of societies for students to join, from the Jane Austen Society to Big Band or Aerial.
Postgrad info:
5,500+ postgraduate students
Over 250 taught postgraduate courses
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is well known for being a wonderful city to live in – filled with culture, museums, theatres and concert venues. It hosts the yearly Fringe Festival, a month a year where the whole city succumbs to the theatre buzz. With gorgeous old-worldly pubs and modern nightclubs, dozens of coffee shops and bookshops, there’s something to distract you at all hours. You’ll find the city a delight – as evidenced by its residents who regular register over 90% satisfaction in opinion polls. Plus, with good transport links including an international airport and Edinburgh Waverley Station, it’s easily accessible, so your friends and family can easily visit you.
University of Edinburgh
- Founded in 1583, it’s the sixth oldest uni in the English-speaking world
- Charles Darwin and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are numbered amongst its graduates
- Scientists from here created Dolly the Sheep – the first mammal to be cloned!
The important things
Money:
The postgraduate courses for both UK students and international students at the University of Edinburgh are really variable, starting from around £13,000 per annum for full-time UK masters degree students and £30,000 for full-time international students. Living costs are estimated to be between £1,167 to £2,330 per month, this range largely depends on the student’s choice of accommodation.
Facilities:
The University of Edinburgh’s library is the largest university library in Scotland and this is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in fact, there are 10 university libraries in total. Plus, the medical school is widely ranked top in the UK. There’s a huge Centre for Sport and Exercise with state-of-the-art gyms, a residential centre for outdoor activities and the best sports injuries clinic in Scotland. In addition, there are nurseries and childcare facilities on site, making it easier for those with children to attend.
Postgrad info:
10,000 postgraduate students
Over 300 taught masters courses and 180 postgraduate research areas
Edinburgh Napier University
- No.1 modern university in Scotland (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025)
- Leading university in Edinburgh for student satisfaction for five years in a row (National Student Survey 2020–2024)
- Top Scottish modern university for research power and impact (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
The important things
Money:
The tuition fees for postgraduate courses for Scottish and UK students are variable, but start at around £7,650. International postgraduate tuition fees are around £19,750 per annum. Student living costs are estimated to be around £1,100 a month, and this is largely dependant on the accommodation costs, which are estimated to be between £500–£935 per month by Edinburgh Napier University.
Facilities:
Based in Edinburgh, it's easy to get around here. Edinburgh Napier University has three campuses, and they are all equipped with excellent library facilities. With two sports centres, most activities are covered and there’s a 24/7 computing centre too!
Postgrad info:
5,000 postgraduate students
Around 170 taught postgraduate courses
Heriot-Watt University
- It was founded in 1821 as the world's first mechanics institute, and Jock Clear, a Formula One engineer that graduated from here is keeping up that mechanical tradition today
- Runner-up for the Good University Guide’s Scottish University of the Year award
- Ranked top 2 in the UK for graduate employability (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024)
The important things
Money:
The postgraduate tuition fees vary, but you’re looking at around £12,000 as a Scottish or UK student, and £25,000 as an international postgrad. Living costs are estimated by Heriot-Watt University to be between £1,012 and £1,204 per month.
Facilities:
The main campus, in Edinburgh, is home to a research park with more than 40 companies. It also has international branches campus in Dubai and Malaysia. There’s a huge library, the Centre for Sports and Exercise and an on-campus Medical Centre and Dental Practice. In addition, there’s the university museum and archive – which as a postgraduate student of the university you’re allowed to access.
Postgrad info:
2,700 postgraduate students
Over 120 taught postgraduate courses
Queen Margaret University
- It was founded in 1875 as The Edinburgh School of Cookery and Domestic Economy, a women-only facility
- Herald Scottish Higher Education Institute of the Year 2025
- One of Scotland's greenest campuses
The important things
Money:
Tuition fees for the postgraduate courses for UK and Scottish students are around £7,500, and international students should expect to pay around £18,500. Student living costs at Queen Margaret University are estimated to be around £1,000 a month.
Facilities:
QMU is based at a purpose-built campus on the southeast side of Edinburgh, just a few minutes from the centre. Its learning resource centre encompasses the library, IT and AV services and there's a mixture of silent and public study spaces available. There are good indoor and outdoor sports facilities, and beautiful gardens (we weren’t kidding when we said it was green!).
Postgrad info:
1,100 postgraduate students
Around 50 taught postgraduate courses
Glasgow
Glasgow is the UK’s third largest city – and Scotland’s largest, and one of the world's best student cities. It is famed for having the best nightlife of any Scottish city, but that’s not all it has to offer. From beautiful parks to boutique shops, the city is full of things to explore as well as great sporting activities and cultural things of interest.
University of Glasgow
- It was founded in 1451, making it the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world
- Founder member of Universitas 21, an international grouping of universities dedicated to setting worldwide standards for higher education
- One principal used to have a brew house at the Old College – and maybe this is because (according to the legends) beer was first brewed in Scotland by Glasgow’s Patron Saint, St Mungo in 543AD
The important things
Money:
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses for UK and Scottish students start at around £11,000, whilst international students can expect to pay between £26,000 and £31,000. Student living costs are estimated by the University of Glasgow to be between £1,100 and £1,700 per month.
Facilities:
There are two sports complexes and seven subject specific (branch) libraries, as well as the main one. There are also two student unions which is rather unusual. There is postgraduate-specific accommodation available, though they can’t house everyone. It’s also worth noting that there are two campuses – one in the West End of Glasgow, and one in Dumfries. There are around 200 student societies too, so you’ll be sure to find other people who like the same things as you. Plus, its Queen Margaret Union has hosted and continues to host massive bands – with past performers including Nirvana and Franz Ferdinand.
Postgrad info:
7,000 postgraduate students
Around 300 taught postgraduate courses
Glasgow Caledonian University
- UK No.1 Modern University (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
- In 2012, Professor Muhammad Yunus became the Chancellor – the first non-British figure to hold the office in Scottish history. He was replaced by singer Dr Annie Lennox OBE in July 2018
- The first university to award Nelson Mandela an honorary doctorate upon his release from prison
The important things
Money:
The postgraduate course fees for UK and Scottish students start at around £8,900 for a full-time one-year masters degree. For international students, tuition fees start at around £18,800. The monthly student living costs at GCU are estimated to be around £1,360 per month.
Facilities:
The university can be found in Glasgow’s city centre, and it also has a postgraduate campus in London (but that’s not in Scotland!). In Glasgow, it has the excellent Saltire Centre – the hub of all student things. Handily, this is where the library is too. The refectory is the largest of its type in the UK and the fitness centre not only has sports clubs but a hair salon and a spa too!
Postgrad info:
3,700 postgraduate students
Over 70 taught postgraduate courses
Glasgow School of Art
- Scotland’s only independent art school to offer university-level programs
- Eight Turner Prize winners have graduated from here – including Simon Starling (2005), Richard Wright (2009), Martin Boyce (2011), Duncan Campbell (2014) and Charlotte Prodger (2018)
- Doctor Who's 12th Time Lord, Peter Capaldi, is amongst its alumni
The important things
Money:
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses for Scottish and UK students are from £10,500. International students can expect to pay from £25,000–£32,000 per annum. Student living costs are estimated to start from around £1,100 per month.
Facilities:
Glasgow School of Art is home to the Mackintosh Building, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh – who was also one of its alumni. It’s a super inspirational place which is ideal as you’ll be studying something artistic there! Each subject has state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Digital Design Studio and the School of Fine Art.
Postgrad info:
170 postgraduate students
Around 20 taught postgraduate courses
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Sir Cameron Mackintosh (producer of Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, and more) is the former President of the Royal Conservatoire, he was succeeded by violinist Nicola Benedetti in 2022
- Billy Boyd, the actor who played Pippin in the Lord of the Rings, is one of its many famous alumni
- “One of the top performing arts institutions in the world” The Sunday Times, May 2024
The important things
Money:
The tuition fees for a full-time, one-year masters degree will be around £18,289 for UK and Scottish students and £28,991 for international students. Student living costs are estimated to be around £1,100 per month.
Facilities:
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland has two Glasgow city centre campuses. As you’d expect from such a university, there’s dance rehearsal space, technical construction workshops, props and wardrobe facilities, as well as a digital media suite, recording studio facilities and professional performance venues.
Postgrad info:
Around 140 postgraduate students (which is quite a large proportion of its total of only 840 students!)
20+ MA and MFA courses, plus a research option (PhD in Performing Arts)
University of Strathclyde
- UK University of the Year (Daily Mail University of the Year Awards 2026)
- Scottish University of the Year (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
- Almost 90% of University of Strathclyde research has been rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’ in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
The important things
Money:
The postgraduate degree costs range from around £12,000–£16,000 for UK and Scottish students and £30,000–£33,000 for international students. Living costs are estimated to be around £1,100 a month.
Facilities:
The University of Strathclyde has a student village – the John Anderson Campus in the heart of Glasgow, as well as the Students Union, libraries and sports centre. The sports centre features everything from cricket to trampolining, so even the fussiest of you should find something to suit!
Postgrad info:
5,685 postgraduate students
Over 150 taught postgraduate courses
St Andrews
St Andrews is a town on the east coast of Fife in Scotland, approximately 10 miles southeast of Dundee and 30 miles northeast of Edinburgh. It has a population of around 17,000 and home to the University of St Andrews. During term time, students of the University of St Andrews make up approximately one third of the town’s population!
University of St Andrews
- Scottish University of the Year and second in the UK in both The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and The Guardian University Guide 2026
- The oldest university in Scotland – being established in 1413
- It hosts a traditional 'May Dip' which involves students staying up till dawn on May 1st, before running into the sea!
The important things
Money:
The tuition fees for a masters degree at the University of St Andrews are around £12,000–£15,000 for UK and Scottish students, and £30,000–£33,000 for international students. Student living costs are fairly low – around £1,000 per month (maybe that’s why Wills and Kate chose to study here!).
Facilities:
The University of St Andrews has a well-stocked main library, where you can expect to find most of your books. There are also four smaller, departmental libraries – the JF Allen Library (Physics & Astronomy, Mathematics & Statistics, Computer Science), the Chemistry Library, St Mary's College Library (Divinity, Mediaeval History, Honours Psychology) and the King James Library. In addition, each department may have its own specialist collection. There is a 24-hour computer lab, and most accommodation has computing facilities too. There are a few museums, and if you’re looking for even more culture, there are some gorgeous chapels which are often used by music societies. Finally, there's the sports centre – and if you’re really into sports, there is a public sports centre you can access too!
Student life:
St Andrews is pretty small, with students making up about one third the town’s population. Thanks to that, however, it's a true student city – constantly abuzz with things to do. Whilst it’s small, it has good transport links to bigger cities. It does have an amazing collection of restaurants though, and with half the people there being students, nights out are great. Of course, this is the university where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met – so it’s the perfect for romance and fit for a king!
Postgrad info:
1,800 postgraduate students
Over 140 taught postgraduate courses
Stirling
University of Stirling
- Diverse and inclusive campus with over 30% students from overseas
- Over 135 different nationalities represented by its student population
- 1st in the UK and 3rd in the world for campus environment (UK International Student Barometer (ISB), wave 2, 2022)
The important things
Money:
The tuition fees for a masters degree at the University of Stirling are around £11,500 for Scottish and UK students and £24,300 for international students. Living costs are estimated to be around £1,000 per month.
Facilities:
The University of Stirling is set within a beautiful 330-acre campus within an hour of both Edinburgh and Glasgow, and featuring an Olympic-sized swimming pool, on-site cinema and more than a dozen restaurants, bars and delis. It is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, and students also benefit from more than 50 sports clubs, dozens of weekly exercise classes and non-competitive sports programs. The award-winning Students’ Union supports over 80 clubs and societies to help you explore and share your passions.
Student life:
Being so central, it has great transport links with the rest of Scotland so those of you who like exploring are sorted. There’s a great mix of history and modernity to be found here – with ancient ruins and a thriving arts scene. The campus is just two miles out from the city centre, meaning you can have a great night out then return home through the countryside to accommodation – or simply commute from the city itself!
Postgrad info:
6,000 postgraduate students
Around 90 taught postgraduate courses
Other locations...
So, what other universities does Scotland have to offer?
University of the Highlands and Islands
- 1st for postgraduate student satisfaction in Scotland
- 48 college campuses, research institutes and specialist learning centres spread across Scotland
- You can do a masters degree in Vikings – how awesome is that?
The important things
Money:
The tuition fees for a postgraduate degree at UHI will vary according to whether you are a student from Scotland, the rest of the UK, or an international student. Scottish students can expect to pay around £5,490 per annum; RUK students, £7,695; international students, £16,200. Student living costs will vary depending on the campus you are studying at.
Facilities:
The University of the Highlands and Islands has 48 college campuses, research institutes and specialist learning centres spread across Scotland. This gives you plenty of choice – everywhere from Perth to a small island community of the Shetlands or Orkney. Each location will have different facilities on offer.
Student life:
We’re going to avoid going into too much detail here – with such a spread of locations, it’s hard to say! But, if you’re one for the quiet life, there are great places for you – and if you’re not, there are also great places for you! Locations like Perth are central to Scotland, serving as a retail centre to the areas around it. Whilst still on the smaller side (compared to the larger cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow for example), it’s filled with things to do and there’ll be plenty of other students around for a more traditional student-style year. Whereas somewhere like Shetland College is much smaller, on an island and more isolated – meaning beautiful vistas and a calmer atmosphere. With this university there is so much choice of location so make sure you do your research!
Postgrad info:
A total of around 10,000 higher education students – both undergraduate and postgraduate
Around 50 taught postgraduate courses
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
- It works with local partners – including the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens – to provide experience for its students
- It has a wildlife hospital that can house everything from hedgehogs to deer
- You want a green university? You’ve got it! This college’s whole ethos revolves around caring for the environment
The important things
Money:
The tuition fees at SRUC for a masters degree will vary according to whether you are a student from Scotland, the rest of the UK, or an international student. Scottish students can expect to pay around £9,700; RUK students, £11,300; and international students, £19,000. Some of the masters degrees are awarded by the University of Edinburgh, so these tuition fees will be different. As for living costs – there are six different campuses dotted around, so your living costs will really depend on where you live.
Facilities:
SRUC has seven campuses spread across Scotland – in Aberdeen, Ayr, West Lothian, Fife, Dumfries, Edinburgh and Glasgow. This means there are a lot of different facilities, but one thing they all have in common is the hands-on training. With estate-based campuses this means hectares of land available for use and it’s really worth researching each campus individually.
Student life:
See our sections on Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh for some more information on these locations. Ayr is on the West Coast, with scenic views and a thriving, busy centre. The Barony campus is in an estate around 10 miles from the main town. This is quieter, though the town itself has great pubs and sports centres, amongst other things. Elmwood, Fife is made up of three smaller campuses, and boasts its own golf club! Oatridge, West Lothian is another separate estate, less than an hour’s drive from most of Scotland’s major towns and cities. Close to leisure facilities, and Edinburgh is only 30 minutes away.
Postgrad info:
Around 5,000 students in total – both undergraduate and postgraduate
50+ postgraduate courses
University of the West of Scotland
- It is the largest modern university in Scotland.
- International student community with a global reach from almost 100 countries
- It has recently opened a state-of-the-art campus in London
The important things
Money:
The tuition fees for a masters degree will vary according to whether you are a student from Scotland, the rest of the UK, or an international student. Scottish students can expect to pay around £8,000; RUK students, £11,750; international students, £18,000. Living costs will vary depending on the campus you are studying at.
Facilities:
The University of the West of Scotland has four campuses in Scotland – Ayr, Paisley, Lanarkshire and Dumfries, as well as a fifth campus in London, England. Between these is a variety of superb academic facilities as well as sports centres, plus student unions which host regular events.
Student life:
Student life depends on which campus you choose – Ayr is a busy, thriving town whereas Paisley, though the larger campus, may be a little quieter. In general, the student unions are a hub for student activity and they’re all close to major cities meaning if you want something a little bigger, you can find it. All of the campuses are based in market towns, meaning a great selection of pubs and niche shops and there’s a tight-knit community to be had with your fellow students. The London campus obviously offers a very different student experience to the Scottish campuses.
Postgrad info:
4,000+ postgraduate students
Around 70 taught postgraduate courses
