Fees - Fee classification

All students attending university in the United Kingdom are assessed as either ‘home’ or ‘overseas' students for the purposes of tuition fee calculation.  There is a considerable difference between the ‘home’ and ‘overseas’ rates so it is very important that we get every assessment right. 

In most cases we can classify a student on the basis of information contained on your UCAS or University Application Form, however this is not always possible. If that is the case we have provided some general Guidelines for Assessment which will give you an idea of your status. Assessment can however be quite a complex task so we do ask that you complete a Tuition Fee Classification Questionnaire for us to accurately assess your fee status.

It is in your best interests to contact us as if we don't receive a questionnaire from you, you will automatically be classified as an overseas (full fee paying) student. 

How to complete the questionnaire

The questionnaire has 3 sections and a declaration. 

All students must complete section 1 and any other section which is relevant to your circumstances. If you feel that the questionnaire doesn’t address your particular circumstances, please complete section 1 and attach a covering letter explaining why you feel this way.

All students must read and sign the declaration, and attach any documentation requested.

Throughout the questionnaire, the term 'family' relates to either your parents, your guardian or spouse (husband or wife) - whichever is most appropriate to your current circumstances.

We are always happy to advise on fee classification issues so if you have any questions at all please get in touch on admissions@napier.ac.uk

Assessing your Fee Status

We determine the level of tuition fees which you will be charged for attending a course in accordance with the Education (Fees and Awards) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1998. Students who have a 'relevant connection' with the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man will be charged the ‘home’ rate of fee. Special fee rates apply to students living in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Briefly, a relevant connection means:

1. the student is ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom & Islands without being subject to any restriction on the period of stay (Immigration Act 1971); and
2. the student has been resident in the United Kingdom and Islands for 3 years on the 1st January, 1st April or 1st September closest to the start of your course of study; and
3. no part of that residence has been wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education.

Students who do not meet these criteria are not automatically assessed as overseas (full fee paying). 

There are several exceptions where students are not liable to pay the overseas fee. These include:

1. Refugees, their children and spouses, provided they have been resident in the UK & Islands since being granted refugee status.
2. Those who have been granted Exceptional Leave to Enter or Remain by the Immigration & Nationality Directorate, their children or spouses, provided they have been resident in the UK & Islands since that status was granted.
3. European Union nationals or their children provided they have been resident in the European Economic Area, for 3 years on the relevant date.
4. The children and spouses of EEA Migrant Workers in the UK, provided that they have been resident in the EEA for 3 years on the relevant date. Migrant workers themselves have to satisfy specific criteria in order to be exempt from paying overseas fees. Please contact the Admissions and Recruitment Office for advice on admissions@napier.ac.uk
5. EU and British Citizens who do not satisfy the 3 year residence rule because of their, their parents or their spouses temporary employment outside the EEA. 

The European Union countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, UK

The EEA is comprised of the European Union countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. 

Because of the complexity of these regulations, we do need to obtain various detailed information regarding you and your family’s immigration status and movements. Please be assured that any information you supply will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Further Information and Advice

We hope that the brief outline of the regulations we have provided is helpful but more detailed information is available from various sources. 

The Department for Education and Employment, have produced a quick guide for students. This document can be obtained from: 

The International Team
Department for Education & Employment
Sanctuary Buildings
Great Smith Street
London
SW1P 3BT

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland website also has downloadable forms and information to advise you on your fee status.

If you would like independent advice, a good place to start is UKCISA - the UK Council for International Students Affairs. Staff on the UKCISA helpline are experts in the field of immigration law and can offer free and impartial advice based on your individual circumstances. The Helpline telephone number is +44 (0)20 7107 9922, and is open from Monday to Friday, 1pm - 4pm (GMT).

UKCISA have also produced a helpful Guidance Note  Tuition Fees: will I pay the ‘home’ or ‘overseas’ rate?. As well as describing all of the categories entitled to pay fees at the 'home' rate, the leaflet also contains a helpful fee status information checklist.