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Help your students understand the cost of higher education

If your student is planning to study in the United Kingdom and wants to attend a publicly funded university or college, their fee status (whether they pay full-cost fees or a subsidised fee) will be determined by the UK institution they plan to attend.

Before they decide which university or college to attend, they need to be absolutely certain that they can pay the full cost of:

• tuition fees (the amount is set by each university or college - advise them to visit the universities' and colleges' websites because many list their fees);
• the everyday living expenses for the student and their family for the whole time that they are in the UK, including accommodation, food, heat, light, clothes and travel;
• books and equipment for the course;
• travel to and from their country.

Make sure that your student includes all expenses when working out how much it will cost. You can get information to help to work this out accurately from the international offices at universities and colleges, UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) and the British Council.

Financial help for EU students in England, Northern Ireland or Wales

If your student is an EU citizen, they may be eligible for financial help to cover the cost of tuition fees for studying in England, Northern Ireland or Wales. The www.direct.gov.uk website has further information.

They may be eligible to apply for financial help to cover the cost of tuition fees if:

• they are an EU national or a family member of an EU national (The 27 EU countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, United Kingdom);
• they have been living within the EEA or Switzerland for the three years immediately before the start of their course;
• their main reason for being in the EEA or Switzerland is not to receive full-time education.

In some circumstances, students from EEA countries or Switzerland may also be able to apply for help with living costs. If your student or their parent, guardian or partner were temporarily employed outside the EEA and Switzerland for all or part of the three-year period, they may still qualify for finance.

Financial help for EU students in Scotland

If your student is an EU citizen and would like to study in Scotland, please advise them to visit SAAS for more information.

Financial help for non-EU students

Your student will need to contact the universities and colleges that they are considering for precise information on course fees and financial help available. Most universities and colleges will also display this information on their websites.

Additionally UKCISA and the British Council will be able to assist you both in your enquiries.