What is an overseas fee payer?
An overseas fee payers (paying a higher rate of fees), will normally fit into one or both of the below categories:
• You will not have settled status in the UK; you will not have an EU Passport; you will not have a UK/EU Spouse/Civil Partner who is living in the UK or a UK/EU Parent who is residing in the UK.
• You will not have been residing in the UK/EU for the three years immediately preceding the start of your course.
Will I pay home or overseas fees?
The UCAS and UCS application form requires you to provide information which will then be used by UCS to help determine your fee status. UCS seeks to confirm fee status at an early stage in the application process as offers of admissions must indicate if overseas fees are to be paid. In situations where it is not clear if you should be classified as a UK/EU Fee paying student or as an overseas fee paying student, UCS will write to you to request further information and in such circumstances you will be sent a Fee Assessing questionnaire for completion. This will also include the request for documents e.g. Passport, copies of current visa etc.
Once you have replied we will make an assessment and then write to you to advise if UK/EU fees or overseas fees are due. If you fail to reply to our communications or do not complete the Fee Assessment questionnaire, your application may be withdrawn or in order to process an offer overseas fees may be applied. At this time you will be encouraged to provide evidence if you believe that this decision is incorrect and that in fact you are eligible for UK/EU fees.
The criteria used for fee assessment are explained on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website|. UCS abides by the criteria for eligibility for home fee status without exception so that we can treat all students equitably within a fully consistent approach.
Can I change my fee status?
Overseas fees payers may be able to change to UK/EU fee payer part way through their course if they meet any of the following criteria:
• an EEA or Swiss migrant worker or the relevant family member of such a person
• a refugee or person with Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave
• the child of a Swiss national
• the child of a Turkish worker in the UK
Fee status cannot change part way through a course if a student is granted Indefinite Leave to Remain.