一、苏格兰签证
如果你来自英国以外的国家(地区)，想在苏格兰学习，那么你可能需要申请学生签证。
欧盟国的学生在苏格兰学习不需要签证。
欧洲经济区(包括冰岛、列支敦斯登、挪威、瑞士)的学生在苏格兰学习不需要签证。
其余国家的学生在苏格兰学习均需要签证。
英国政府内政部负责苏格兰的签证移民。可以访问UK Visas and Immigration网站了解最新的签证要求和签证申请信息。
我需要什么类型的签证
在苏格兰学习需要什么类型的签证取决于你学习的课程的类型、课时以及你的年龄。以下列出的签证类型有利于你知道你应该申请什么类型的签证。
1.四级(一般)
四级(一般)签证适宜大部分需要签证以便在苏格兰大学学习本科(研究生)课程的国际留学生。如果你年龄在16岁以上，想来英国接受教育，你可以以成年人身份申请积分系统的四级(一般)签证。如果你是学整个学位的课程，或是学习时间在半年及以上，你需要四级(一般)签证。
2.四级(儿童)
如果你年龄在4到17岁之间，你可以以四级儿童学生的身份申请该签证。如果你年龄在4到15岁之间，你来英国只能在自费独立学校学习。
3.儿童访问
如果你未满18周岁，想在英国学习半年(含)以内，你可以以儿童访问的身份申请。如果你想以四级儿童学生的身份延长签证的有效期，你得离开英国，回到你自己所属的国家申请。
4.学生访问
你可以以学生访问的身份申请，如果你已满18周岁，并且想在英国学习半年(含)以内。如果你学的是英语语言课程，你可以在英国待11个月(不超过)。作为学生访问，你能做的工作有限。即便是课程要求，你也不可以从事带薪工作和志愿工作。如果你想以四级(一般)的身份延长签证的有效期，你得离开英国，回到你自己所属的国家申请。
5.未来学生
如果你想来英国完成为四级课程学习做的最后准备(比如，来英国参加面试)，你可以以未来学生的身份申请。这属于短期签证;开始在苏格兰学习之前，你需要申请别的签证。
二、苏格兰教育体制
苏格兰高等教育体制和英格兰、威尔士、北爱尔兰的高等教育体制有所不同。比如，在苏格兰，许多学生17岁就可以接受高等教育，而英国其余地区是18岁。
苏格兰高等教育体制实行四年制本科教育，被美国和香港效仿。四年制学位给了学生更多的灵活性，学术范围也更广。
苏格兰地区的费用和英国其他地方也不同。在苏格兰，没有针对欧盟国家学生的直接的课程费。苏格兰第一学位学生和欧盟国家在苏格兰学习的学生的学费由苏格兰学生奖励机构(Student Awards Agency)支付。
The higher education system in Scotland is slightly different to the system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For example, in Scotland, many students move into higher education at the age of 17 (rather than 18 in other parts of the United Kingdom).
The Scottish higher education system also favours a four-year undergraduate degree programme, which has been replicated in the United States and Hong Kong. The four-year degree offers students enhanced flexibility and academic breadth.
Tuition fees in Scotland are also different from other parts of the UK. In Scotland, there are no direct course fees for undergraduate students from a country within the European Union. First degree students from Scotland or the rest of the EU studying in Scotland are entitled to have their tuition fees paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
If you are from outside the UK and you want to study in Scotland you may need to apply for a student visa.
Students from a country in the European Union do not need a visa to study in Scotland.
Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway or Switzerland do not need a visa to study in Scotland.
Students from all other countries will need to apply for a visa to study in Scotland.
The Home Office of the United Kingdom Government, manages visas and immigration in Scotland. Visit the UK Visas and Immigration website for up to date information on visa requirements and information about applying for visas.
What type of visa will I need?
The type of visa that you will need to apply for to study in Scotland depends on the type of course you are studying, the length of course you are studying, and your age. The categories below will help you to find out what type of visa you should apply for.
Tier 4 (General)
This category covers the majority of international students needing a visa to study at an undergraduate or postgraduate course at a university in Scotland. You can apply as an adult under Tier 4 (General) of the points based system if you are coming to the UK for your post-16 education. If you are coming for a full degree course or a course of study lasting six months or more you need a Tier 4 (General) visa.
Tier 4 (Child)
If you are between 4 and 17 years old you can apply as a Tier 4 child student. If you are between four and fifteen years old you must be coming to the UK to study at an independent fee paying school.
Child visitor
If you are under 18 and you want to study in the UK for up to 6 months you can apply as a child visitor. If you want to extend your visa as a Tier 4 (Child) student you are required to leave the UK and return to the country where you live to apply.
Student visitor
You can apply as a student visitor if you are over the age of 18 and you want to study in the UK for up to 6 months. If you are studying an English language course you can stay for up to 11 months. As a student visitor there are restrictions on your ability to work. You cannot work in the UK paid, or voluntary even if it is part of your course requirements. If you want to extend your visa as a Tier 4 (General) you will need to leave the UK and apply from the country where you live.
Prospective students
You can apply as a prospective student if you want to come to the UK to help you finalise the arrangements for your Tier 4 course of study (for example, by attending an interview at a university which has made you a conditional offer). This is a short-term visa and you will need to apply for another visa before your studies in Scotland commence.