Frequently Asked Questions
- Why am I fee assessed?
- What is a Home Fees Payer?
- What is an Overseas Fees Payer?
- What is an Islands Fees Payer?
- What guidance does University of East London use for fee assessing?
- I am a UK Citizen. Do I still need to complete the Questionnaire?
- I was a previous University of East London Student. Do I need to complete the Questionnaire?
- I do not have a Passport or my Passport has expired, what document(s) should I submit?
- Do I need to bring my Passport to enrolment?
- What happens to the copy of my Passport I have to submit?
- I have a different name to the one on my Passport/relevant ID
- Can my fee status change part way through my course?
- Who can I talk to about Student Finance?
- I have additional questions, who should I contact?
Why am I fee assessed?
The University of East London is obliged to fee assess all applicants to determine whether they will be charged Home, Overseas or Islands tuition fees in accordance with the provisions of the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1997 (including amendments). HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) regularly audit all Universities in the UK to ensure applicants are being correctly and fairly fee assessed. back to top
What is a Home Fees Payer?
In general to be assessed as a home fee payer, you must meet all of the following three criteria:
- You must either hold a UK/EU Passport; be married/civil partner of a UK/EU Citizen who is residing in the UK; have a UK/EU Parent who is residing in the UK; have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK; have full refugee status; or Humanitarian Protection as a result of an asylum application
- You must have resided in the UK/EU for at least three years immediately preceding the start of your course and not soley for the purpose of full time education.
- You must be residing in the UK on the first day of your course. back to top
What is an Overseas Fees Payer?
An overseas fees payer will normally fit into one or both of the below categories:
- You will not have settled status in the UK; you will not have an EU Passport; you will not have a UK/EU Spouse/Civil Partner who is living in the UK or a UK/EU Parent who is residing in the UK.
- You will not have been residing in the UK/EU for the three years immediately preceding the start of your course. back to top
What is an Islands Fees Payer?
An Islands fee payer will be a Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man, Alderney, Sark or Herm Citizen. An agreement between Universities in the UK and Islands governments means that where Islands students are entitled to financial support from their Island government, institutions levy an agreed rate of fee, paid by their island government. back to top
What guidance does the University use for fee assessing?
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provide the guidance to Universities on fee assessment. They are external and independent of the University. The University abides by the guidance for eligibility for Home student fee status as explained on this website without exception so that we can treat all students equally within a fully consistent approach. Further information can be found at: UKCISA
Please note that this guidance is applied at time of assessment without exception, and should there be any subsequent change in the fee regulations as stated by UKCISA, these are implemented by the University immediately for any future assessment. These however, will not affect any previous assessment conducted by UEL unless explicitly stated by UKCISA. back to top
I am a UK Citizen. Do I still need to complete the Fee Assessment Form?
All applicants where we cannot clearly determine the necessary residency information from their application form are asked to complete the questionnaire and submit supporting documents. back to top
I was a previous University of East London student. Do I need to complete the Fee Assessment Form?
You may still be required to complete the Fee Assessment Form even if you have completed a course recently at the University. This is because the University is required to obtain up-to-date information about all of its applicants, fee regulations are subject to change and different criteria may have been introduced since you last studied with us. back to top
I do not have a Passport or my Passport has expired, what document(s) should I submit?
If you do not have a Passport or have an expired passport and you are a British Citizen born in the UK, you can submit a copy of your expired passport, full Birth Certificate AND some form of photo ID (e.g. driving licence).
If you have submitted your Passport to the Home Office please can you send copies of any UK Border Agency or Home Office correspondence you have received.
We will also ask you for further documentation such as evidence of residing in the UK/EU for the three years immediately preceding the start of your course. back to top
Do I need to bring my Passport to enrolment?
You will be required to bring your Passport to your enrolment as the main form of identification required. back to top
What happens to the copy of my Passport I have to submit?
Once you submit a copy of your Passport, a record of your passport number will be uploaded to your record. The paper copy will be retain for one year after your enrolment as per the Data Protection Policy. Only limited staff are given access to view your Passport number against your record. back to top
I have a different name to the one on my Passport/relevant ID
If you have got married or had a civil partnership and changed your name, but have your maiden name on your Passport please submit a copy of your Marriage/Civil Partnership Certificate.
If you have changed your name by Deed Poll please can you submit a copy of your certificate. back to top
Can my fee status change part way through my course?
If you have been categorised as an Overseas fee payer, you may become eligible for Home fees part way through your course if you already meet the three year residency condition on the first day of the first academic year of your course and you meet one of the following criteria:
- become an EU national or the relevant family member of an EU national
- become an EEA or Swiss migrant worker or the relevant family member of such a person
- become a refugee or the relvant family member of such a person with Humanitarian Protection following asylum refusal
- become the child of a Swiss national
- become the child of a Turkish worker in the UK back to top
Who can I talk to about Student Finance?
At UEL we have a dedicated Student Money, Advice and Rights Team (SMART). The team provide advice, information and guidance on funding, bursaries and scholarships, managing your money and much more.
If you are not sure of your entitlement, would like help apply for any of the funding or would like advice regarding any other student finance matter, please contact:
Student Money Advice and Rights Team
North Building, Docklands Campus
University of East London
University Way
London, E16 2RD
Email: smart@uel.ac.uk
Tel: 020 8223 6200 back to top
I have additional questions, who should I contact?
For further information please contact:
Student Admissions
University of East London
University Way
London, E16 2RD
Email: feeassess@uel.ac.uk
Tel: 020 8223 3333 back to top
