I had a query. We have been out of UK for almost 11 years. Currently we are living in Australia. There is a high chance of us moving out soon. Our younger son is in Year 10 in the Australian curriculum and does not complete until end of the year. So in order to get him into the British system we need to move in quick and put him in Year 11 to start in Sept 2019 in an Independent School mostly in a boarding. This way he completes accelerated GCSEs in 2020.
We will take some time to wrap up from Australia and move back to U.K. Does that mean my son starts his 3 years residency in the U.K. to avail of 'home student' fees at University? Or does his parents have to move in with him for the eligibility criteria? This information would be very helpful to plan things bit better. Too many things to tackle at the moment.

Thanks

Mamta

Hi

We moved back from WA in 2020, our youngest had just started year 12 and studings 6Tee's when he asked to return to the UK sooner, we returned in the March (with our youngest having no firmal quals at all ) he had a look at local colleges and enrolled in one he liked, studied for two years (an advanced diploma) and 3 GCSES towards if his 2nd year he decided to apply for university was awarded a place, he deferred for a year, by the time he started he uni course he had lived in the UK for 3 years but in his case the university still classed him a home student when he applied whilst at college. Education is free for students up until 19 years for permanent residents, our son is now a teacher and he says the UK education system is very flexible, teachers are very knowledgeable about overseas students. GCSES are important but it's not the end of the world if missed as in our son's case. Good Luck, I still remember how stressed I was about the education side of things

If your immigration status in Australia is only temporary then your son may be considered to be eligible to pay home fees without spending three years in the UK first.

We have been out of UK since 2008. In that case it might not. My older son is starting Uni in St Andrew's in Sep 2019. well mostly. If his final IB scores meet the requirements. but he will be paying as if he was an International Student.

Wonderful!

So my son could start in boarding and I could transfer back to UK later which will not disturb his time to kick start the 3 year residency.