Student finance

What will it cost to go to university?

University applicants are classified as either 'home' or 'overseas' students depending on their nationality, residential status and other relevant criteria. Your status determines the level of tuition fees you pay. Different fee regulations also apply depending on which part of the UK you live and study in.

Are you a home student or an overseas student?

Please note that the information that follows is for guidance only. For an official ruling, please contact the university office or the relevant government authority.

Most British publicly (state) funded educational institutions will charge two levels of fee depending on the student's residential status. Private sector institutions often have only one level of tuition fees, which all students pay, irrespective of residence. Fees are set by the individual institution. The higher fees are generally referred to as 'overseas fees' as distinct from 'home fees'.

Entitlement to home fees status is determined by:

  1. The length and nature of residence in the United Kingdom/European Union
  2. Nationality
  3. In a small number of cases, by immigrant status

The student's fee status for the duration of the course is normally fixed at the time of admission although it may be possible to become a ‘home fees’ student provided residential criteria were met at commencement. The rules regarding what scale of 'home fees' are charged at undergraduate level depends on where the university is located within the United Kingdom and, in the case of British residents, where they are living. The Education Departments for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set the regulations for their own territories. See links below for information on 'home fees' and loans in the constituent parts of the UK:

A useful summary of information regarding tuition fees and ‘home’ or ‘overseas’ status is available via the UK Council for International Student Affairs and includes a full explanation of the ten categories under which a student may be eligible for home fees status.  For the avoidance of doubt, it is extremely important to seek official advice regarding ‘home’ or ‘overseas’ status, because regulations are complex and are updated from time to time.

Approximate undergraduate tuition fees for overseas students (academic year 2009/10)

Most Arts and Social Sciences:                         £7,900 - £11,700
Science (and some Arts courses):                     £8,400 - £14,800
Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science:           £19,600 - £26,500

All students are liable for additional annual college fees at Oxford and Cambridge of around £5,000, although in the case of home students, these are usually covered by the local education authority. These fees vary from college to college.

These figures are guidelines only, as there is considerable variation in the fees being charged by individual institutions for overseas students. These fees apply to full-time students only and exclude private institutions.

The National Association of Student Money Advisers offers an A-Z listing of information offices at UK higher education institutions.

Other costs for all students

You should also allow for living costs, including accommodation and transport, which will vary according to area and your lifestyle. If you are living away from home you can expect to incur expenses of at least £9,000 during the academic year, perhaps as much as 25% more in London. If you are an overseas student needing accommodation during the summer vacation, you should allow for this when calculating your budget.