Fee Status

Introduction

Purpose

1. This document outlines the rules Northeastern University London (the University) will apply when assessing a student’s fee status. These rules reflect the relevant legislation under which the University is required to operate[1]. In addition to the relevant legislation, the University also considers guidance prepared by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) when assessing a student’s fee status.

Principles

2. A student’s fee status will determine whether they pay the ‘Home’ or ‘Overseas’ rate of tuition.
3. Fee status assessments are made by the Admissions Team based on the information provided in the application.
4. Fee status assessments are made independently using the guidance provided by UKCISA. The University cannot take into account fee status decisions made by other universities in determining a student’s fee status.
5. The University may provide general advice on fee status, but it will not make a decision on the fee status of an applicant or student before an application is received.
6. University fees for undergraduate home students are regulated by the UK government. The current tuition fee status for home students is £9,250.
7. University fees are charged annually and are subject to increase on a yearly basis.

Types of Fee Status

Home Fee Status

8. The following groups of students will usually be eligible for home fee status:
   1. UK nationals who have lived in the UK, EEA, Switzerland, or Gibraltar for at least the last three years AND have lived there continuously between 31 December 2020 and the start of their course
   2. Irish nationals who have lived in the UK and Islands for three years before the start of their course
   3. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with settled status (or Indefinite Leave to Remain or permanent residency) who have been ordinarily resident in the UK or Islands for the three years immediately before the start of their course (unless the residency in the UK or Islands was mainly for the purpose of education)
   4. EU, EEA or Swiss citizens with pre-settled status who have been ordinarily resident in the UK or Islands for the three years immediately before the start of their course (unless the residency in the UK or Islands was mainly for the purpose of education)
   5. Students who have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE), or Right of Abode in the UK and have lived in the UK for three years immediately before the start date of the course.
9. In addition to the above there are many rules that concern Children of Turkish workers; UK citizens living in British/EU Territories Overseas, refugees, and those who have held long term residence in the UK regardless of immigration restrictions. For a full list of students eligible for home fee status, please refer to UKCISA for guidance.

Overseas Fee Status

10. A student will usually be termed as overseas for fee status purposes if:
    1. They have been resident in the UK and Islands for the three year period immediately before the start date of the course but the main purpose was to receive full-time education during any part of the three year period
    2. They have not lived in the UK and Islands or the Republic of Ireland for three full years immediately before the start date of the course
    3. They live in the UK but have immigration restrictions on the length of their stay.

Assessing Fee Status

11. Fee status decisions are based on the information that has been provided on the application form.
12. If the Admissions Team is unable to make a decision based on the information that has been provided by the student, the student will be contacted and asked for further information.
13. If a student feels that they have been incorrectly assessed they should contact the Admissions Team, who will send them a Fee status questionnaire to complete prior to enrolment.
14. Once completed the Fee status questionnaire must be returned to the Admissions Team within the deadline provided, together with any relevant supporting documentary evidence.
15. The Admissions Team will review the decision on the student’s fee status and will inform them of the outcome.

Appeals Process

16. A student who is dissatisfied with the fee status decision that has been made after the Admissions Team has reviewed their fee status questionnaire may appeal the decision. The procedure for making an appeal is contained in the University’s Admissions Feedback, Complaints and Appeals Procedure.

Changes in Fee Status After Enrolment

17. In general, a student’s fee status will not change after they have enrolled. However, there may be a few instances, such as meeting settlement requirements, where a student’s fee status may change. If a fee status change is successful, the new fee status will apply from the start of the next academic year of the programme.

Version History

Footnotes

[1] The Higher Education (Fee Limit Condition) (England) Regulations 2017 and subsequent related legislation.