University tuition is free in Scotland, however, students can borrow money to help towards their living expenses.

Audit Scotland revealed that Scottish students borrowed over £500m from the Student Loans Company in 2018-19, compared with £187m ten years ago.

The organisation also found that students from deprived areas tended to borrow more money than those from less deprived areas. In 2018-19, students from the 20% most deprived areas borrowed on average £5,8000 compared to £4,960.

The data also found that in 2017-18 the latest year for which data is available, 15.6% of students entering university were from the 20% most deprived areas.

The study found that in 2008-9 the average loan to each Scottish student was £2,420, but by 2018-19 it had reached £5,300. The largest rise took place between 2012-13 and 2013-14, when the average loan went up from £3,110 to £5,020.

Students from the poorest backgrounds can also qualify for bursaries from the Student Loans Company. A student from a household with an income of less than £20,000 per year would be entitled to a bursary of £2,000 and a loan of £5,750.

If the student’s household income surpasses £34,000, the student can borrow £4,750 but would not qualify for a bursary.

Students usually repay the loans by paying 9% of their annual income above £18,935. The more a graduate earns, the more they pay.

However, the Scottish Government has committed to raising the repayment threshold to £25,000 by April 2021.