Student Awards Agency for Scotland salary 2026/27
The Student Awards Agency for Scotland pays student funding to Scottish students. Its pay follows the Scottish Government framework, and it publishes AA to Grade 7.
Student Awards Agency for Scotland salaries
| Grade | Median | Take-home a month | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | £29,590* | £1,978 | 5 of 26 |
| AO | £32,800* | £2,161 | 9 of 73 |
| EO | £36,610 | £2,357 | 20 of 92 |
| HEO | £44,120* | £2,780 | 15 of 93 |
| SEO | £57,390* | £3,443 | 14 of 93 |
| Grade 7 | £74,820 | £4,221 | 9 of 91 |
Median full-time salary at 31 March 2026 from Cabinet Office Civil Service Statistics. * Our estimate from the official 2026 figure for the combined level and the 2025 figure for the grade. Rank compares Student Awards Agency for Scotland with every department and agency that publishes a figure for that grade. Take-home is full time, alpha member, tax code 1257L, no student loan.
Identical to the Scottish Government up to EO
Its AA, AO and EO medians match the Scottish Government, at £29,590, £32,800 and £36,610. HEO is higher at £44,120, ranked 15th of 93.
Grade 7 reaches £74,820, 9th of 91. The step from EO to HEO adds about £423 a month in take-home.
Against the typical department
| Grade | Student Awards Agency for Scotland median | Typical department | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | £29,590 | £27,440 | +£2,150 |
| AO | £32,800 | £28,100 | +£4,700 |
| EO | £36,610 | £32,460 | +£4,150 |
| HEO | £44,120 | £39,440 | +£4,680 |
| SEO | £57,390 | £48,220 | +£9,170 |
| Grade 7 | £74,820 | £63,110 | +£11,710 |
The typical department is the middle one when every department and agency that publishes a figure for that grade is put in order, at 31 March 2026.
What each step up is worth
| Move | Extra gross a year | Extra take-home a month |
|---|---|---|
| AA to AO | £3,210 | £183 |
| AO to EO | £3,810 | £196 |
| EO to HEO | £7,510 | £423 |
| HEO to SEO | £13,270 | £663 |
| SEO to Grade 7 | £17,430 | £778 |
Extra take-home is smaller than the extra gross pay because of tax, National Insurance and the higher alpha contribution rate that applies as pay rises.
Grades with too few staff to publish a figure are left out. Student Awards Agency for Scotland may also pay more in London and for specialist roles, and most departments have paid a 2026/27 award since 31 March 2026.
Common questions
How much does an AA earn at Student Awards Agency for Scotland?
The median AA salary at Student Awards Agency for Scotland was about £29,590 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £1,978 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an AO earn at Student Awards Agency for Scotland?
The median AO salary at Student Awards Agency for Scotland was about £32,800 at 31 March 2026 (our estimate from official figures), which is about £2,161 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
How much does an EO earn at Student Awards Agency for Scotland?
The median EO salary at Student Awards Agency for Scotland was £36,610 at 31 March 2026, which is about £2,357 a month after tax, NI and alpha at 2026/27 rates.
Does Student Awards Agency for Scotland pay more than other departments?
It depends on the grade. At Grade 7, Student Awards Agency for Scotland ranks 9 of 91 departments that publish a figure. At EO it ranks 20 of 92.
What pension do Student Awards Agency for Scotland staff get?
Civil servants join the alpha pension scheme. You pay 4.6% to 8.05% of your pay depending on what you earn, and build 2.32% of your pensionable pay as pension each year.