Your tuition fee status is based mainly on your nationality, where you live and how long you’ve lived there. It determines whether you’ll need to pay the tuition fees for your intended course at the international ('overseas') or UK ('home') rate.
UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
If you’re a student from the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man, you’re likely to have 'home' tuition fee status if:
- You’ve lived in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least three years immediately before the start of your course
- There are no immigration restrictions about how long you can stay.
If either of these criteria do not apply to you, you’re likely to have 'overseas' tuition fee status.
Republic of Ireland students
If you’re a student from the Republic of Ireland, you’re likely to have 'home' tuition fee status if:
- You’ve lived in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least three years immediately before the start of your course
- There are no immigration restrictions about how long you can stay.
If either of these criteria do not apply to you, you're likely to have 'overseas' tuition fee status.
EU, EEA and Switzerland students (excluding the Republic of Ireland)
If you’re a student from an EU country (excluding the Republic of Ireland), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you're likely to have 'home' tuition fee status if:
- You hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- You've lived in the UK, EU, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland for at least three years immediately before the start of your course.
You’re likely to have 'overseas' tuition fee status if:
- You don’t hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- You've not lived in the UK, EU, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland for at least three years immediately before the start of your course.
Students from other countries
If you’re a student from outside the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you’re likely to have 'home' tuition fee status if:
- You’ve lived in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least three years immediately before the start of your course
- You live in the UK and there are no immigration restrictions about how long you can stay
- You’ve been based in the UK for at least three years immediately before the start of your course and this was not primarily to attend full-time education.
You're likely to have 'overseas' tuition fee status if:
- You’ve not lived in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for at least three years immediately before the start of your course
- You live in the UK but have immigration restrictions about how long you can stay
- You’ve been based in the UK for at least three years immediately before the start of your course but this was primarily to attend full-time education and you would otherwise have been living overseas.
Please note, the information on this page is only an outline guide. UKCISA’s guidance highlights additional circumstances that could confer 'home' tuition fee status.
We'll usually confirm your tuition fee status in your offer letter, based on the information you provide in your application.
If you have any queries about your tuition fee status, you should refer to the UKCISA website or contact our International team for advice.
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