Robw4

Hi, I have heard even though I'm a UK citizen, I would have to pay international fees unless I have lived in the UK 3 years prior to the course start date.

I left the UK a year ago, and I am considering moving back as I'm not enjoying life over here. This would be a major blow, if it's true? Thanks

dunroving

Yes, it's true that to qualify for home fees you should be resident in the UK for the 3 years prior (use the Search function - several past threads on student fees).

However, in your situation you may be able to ask for an exception (though they may require you to be in the country for a year before applying for home fees).

This is quite an unusual situation so different institutions may interpret it differently. It's worth calling (or emailing - GET IT IN WRITING) a few universities to ask them for their interpretation of your situation.

Maybe don't describe your situation as above, but say you "took a gap year" ... I think they'd look at this more favorably, especially if you can show a home connection (UK address for the time you were away - parents, perhaps?).

Jerseygirl

I thought UK student fees and international student fees were about the same now.

rebs

You are right - the headline figure might be similar, but now the key difference is the payment methods available to home students

dunroving

It varies by university (and of course in Scotland and Wales the picture is very different - not sure about NI).

nun

You might consider studying in another EU country. Many universities have lower fees than in the UK and offer courses in English.

brits1

Hi If you have been resident in the UK in the last 3 years then you should be classed as a home student, saying that our youngest son has been accepted at a Uni of his choice and has been granted a home student, he has also decided he wants some help towards his fee's (as they have risen this year to the new costs) so has applied to Student Finance and has still been classed as a home student (we have been honest about our whereabouts etc) You should be fine as a family friend of ours has a son who left the UK over a year ago to travel and has applied while on his travels to Uni and has just had his acceptance letter, he arrives home just before the start of the Uni year. All the best

Bob

This is key, student loans via the SLC have generally much better repayment options and less hassle than getting private loans and of course get paid direct, so you don't have to faff around and pay your uni fees up front yourself.

Definitely would consider studying else where in the EU though.

Quite a few were doing uni fares across the UK to show what is on offer, couple of big places in France, Germany, Netherlands etc were all offering courses, taught in English for about 3K a year v 9.5K GBP that the UK uni's are now starting to charge.

calliope

+1. Netherlands and Sweden offer good courses in English and their degrees are actually affordable without getting lifelong debt into the bargain.

Beakersful

Unless you're going to a good red brick university which will effect your employability, the money you will pay with the new fees is a complete waste of a good debt if you do not at least look at studying elsewhere within the EU. France, or Netherlands for example.

petrichor

From memory, home student fees and overseas student fees can still be quite different depending on the institution. More than £5,000 a year difference at one university I know of, so it's still worth trying to be a home student if you can, as well as the fact that you can get a loan for the money as other posters have pointed out.

I don't honestly think a year's absence is going to disqualify you from being a home student. So many students take a gap year it would be farcical if they refused all those people loans. Just tell them you took a gap year.

Btw, if you were living in an EU country you wouldn't be disqualified anyway.

Bob

Gap year is different, because it is based on parental residency and most parents aren't taking a gap year with their kids.

If the move is temporary in nature, the time away can also be sometimes ignored, but it has to be something out of your hands, such as your employer sending you abroad for x amount of time but having definite time of return, or you moving abroad to look after ill relatives.

petrichor

Is it? I'm pretty sure the student loan application form asks whether the applicant has been resident in the EU, not the parents.

Anyway, it seems at the discretion of the university as to whether the student is classed as a home student or not. There are posters on this board who don't fit those criteria but have been granted home student status. It seems quite arbitrary.

Beakersful

Just as an additional point of interest where picking a "decent" university you feel your child (or yourself) may benefit from career wise:

If you, as a British citizen, voluntarily choose to approach a university and pay as an International Student, (not use the students loans system) you may find that you can circumvent certain parts of the process. I say "may" because you're offering the uni cash, and we all know how money affects peoples behaviour. (additionally, you won't be counted in the cap for Home students attending the uni, and the uni will consider that too)

With the difference being as little as £3,500 a year, remembering the lack of access to the student loans system, this little piece of information may just help some people who may feel that the "new uni" or "former poly" is not going to help a career (or feel may actually hinder it) and could apply their weight to a red brick uni or oxbridge (providing you are competent of course!)

Jerseygirl

One of my daughter's friends went to St Andrews uni...he's not British but an American. He is as thick as two short planks and left after 1 1/2 years. I am convinced he only got a place in the first place because he was paying international fees.