Student tuition fees

Student tuition fees cover the cost of your studies so vary according to your course, the length of the course and where you are studying.
How much your tuition fees will be and how you are expected to pay for them is dependent on when you start your course.

A contribution to the cost of your tuition has to paid by either you, your parents or your Local Education Authority. (In Northern Ireland, it’s the Education and Library Board – ELB).

If you have lived in the UK for at least three years before starting your course, you are entitled to help with these student tuition fees. If you’re Scottish and studying in Scotland, your tuition fees are paid for you.

If you have siblings at university, your parents’ contributions do not change but will be split between you.

Part time students can apply but you need to ensure this doesn’t affect your benefits. Disabled students can apply for the Disabled Students Allowance.

Tuition fees for current students
For the majority of full-time courses the maximum personal contribution you will be expected to make in 2005/06 is £1,175. Students starting a course in 2005/06 will also be set a maximum personal contribution of £1,175. Please note this figure will increase in line with inflation until the end of your course).

Tuition fees for students starting course in 2006/07
There will be several important changes to the tuition fees criteria.
Students who begin a full-time undergraduate course in 2006/07 will not have to pay their tuition fees upfront (although you can if you wish).
Depending on where and what you study, you may have to pay a contribution up to a maximum of £3000 a year.

The cost of your fees will now become part of a loan which you will pay back later when you are working and earning more than £15,000 a year.