Money is a big concern for many students. You should ensure that your funding is in place before you enrol.
Fees & Funding
Undergraduate Scottish and EU Students are not liable to pay fees and should apply to SAAS for funding. You can also apply to SAAS for a loan.
Undergraduate students from Wales, England and Northern Ireland should apply to their Local Education Authority or Education and Library Board for funding. You can also apply to these for student loans.
A limited number of partially funded places on postgraduate are available. These are funded through the Postgraduate Students Allowance Scheme run by SAAS.
Full information on paying for your studies, along with the scholarship and funds you may be eligible for can be found at our Finance & Scholarships pages:
Council Tax
Are all students exempt from council tax?
Students who are studying on a full time course are generally exempt from paying Council Tax and the rules for qualifying are available on your local Council Office website:
I am repeating modules this year, will I still be exempt?
Students who are repeating outstanding modules from the previous year of study (who have not been allowed to progress to the next stage of the course) might be liable for payment during the repeat period. It can be the case that personal circumstances do not fit these rules and in these cases the student should contact the council direct.
How do I apply for council tax exemption?
Please refer to your local Council Office Website for an exemption form.
- Aberdeen Council Tax Exemption form for students
- Aberdeenshire Council Student Council Tax Information
- Dundee City Form
If you are a current student and require written confirmation of your full time study, sign in to Ask RGU and click ‘Log Question’ to request a letter from our Student Records team:
I have applied for exemption but am still receiving council tax bills, What should I do?
Contact your local Council Office directly for advice.
When does my exemption start?
Student Property Exemption is generally applied from the commencement of the course. This is most often the official start of the academic session and does not include any induction or registration periods. Refer to the Academic Calendar for information on official start dates.
When does my exemption end – when I finish my course or when I graduate?
Council Tax exemption ceases when a student is no longer studying on an active full time basis. This usually refers to the official course end date, not the graduation date.
I share a house with non-students – will I have to pay council tax?
Most full time students who share accommodation with non-students or with part-time students will not be liable for payment, regardless of the status of their flatmates.
Council Tax regulations are complicated. It can be the case that personal circumstances do not fit these rules and in these cases the student should contact the council direct.
Part Time Work
Many students choose to get a part-time job while they study to help support themselves. If you are an international student you must ensure that if you do work, that it is in the terms of your visa that you are allowed to do so.
- If you choose to work part-time, we suggest no more than 15 hours per week to allow you to balance work with study.
- International students - your visa will indicate how many hours you are allowed to work. Find out more about working in the UK
- You need a National Insurance (NI) Number to work in the UK.
- To get an NI number contact Job Centre Plus: 0845 60000 643.
Links to part-time opportunities:
Help to apply for a part-time job:
National Insurance
Your National Insurance (NI) number ensures the Inland Revenue (UK tax authorities) and Department for Work and Pensions correctly record NI contributions or credits to your NI account.
You must pay NI contributions if your weekly earnings are over £91 per week. You will need these contributions and credits when you come to claim benefit, whether it is for a short while, like Incapacity Benefit or long term, such as your Retirement Pension.
- Your National Insurance (NI) Number is personal to you.
- It is your account number allocated to you for you to use in all your dealings with Inland Revenue and the Department for Work and Pensions
- It looks something like this: AB 12 34 56 C. In Aberdeen, to get an NI number you must arrange an appointment with the local office of the Department for Work and Pensions by calling 01224 618000. The office itself is located at Ebury House, 14 Dee Street, Aberdeen.
You will only need to pay income tax if you earn over £4,745 a year. If you are working only during the holidays and think that you will not earn this much during the financial year (April 2019 to March 2020 or April 2020 to March 2021) then you can fill in a form P38(S) - your employer can give you a copy - and you will not have any tax deducted from your earnings.
If you are working during term time, you will have to fill in a separate form (P46). This will enable your employer, following the tax authorities' instructions, to decide what tax should be due from you. The tax authorities may also send you form P91 to complete. It is important that you complete and return this form to help ensure you do not pay too much tax.
Information for New Students
New students can get further information and advice on CampusMoodle: