Tuition Fees
The following pages give basic information on tuition fees, sponsors and discounts. For information regarding tuition fee payment please see the Finance Department.
- What are tuition fees?
- I have heard that you don't pay tuition fees for undergraduate study in Scotland. Is this true?
- How much are my tuition fees?
- Will I pay the Home or Overseas rate of tuition fees?
- I am a member of staff. Do I pay tuition fees?
- What tuition fee discounts are offered?
- My employer or a sponsor has confirmed that they will pay my fees - what do I need to do?
- Can a family member be regarded as my sponsor?
- Are there any other fees I may have to pay?
- If I withdraw from the University do I receive a refund?
What are tuition fees?
Every student will be charged an annual tuition fee for their programme of study or courses taken in each academic session. Tuition fees cover matriculation, tuition and the first sitting of examinations. They also include an element in respect of membership of University Unions, sports facilities, and other student facilities and amenities. Please note that fees are subject to annual revision.
I have heard that you don't pay tuition fees for undergraduate study in Scotland. Is this true?
No! All students are liable to pay tuition fees. Scottish and Non-UK EU students can apply to have their tuition fees paid by SAAS if they are studying for a full-time undergraduate degree for the first time. English, Welsh and Northern Irish students can apply for a tuition fee loan.
Please remember - you must apply for tuition fee funding every year you are studying. Tuition fee payments are paid directly to the university via the SLC and SAAS. For further information, please see:
Channel Islands and Isle of Man students should apply to their Local Authority for help with their tuition fees.
How much are my tuition fees?
Applicants about to start their studies will be informed of the tuition fees applicable to their programme of study in their offer of admission from the University. Students can check what fees they will be charged by checking the Tables of Fees published on the university website:
Will I pay the Home or Overseas rate of tuition fees?
The level of fee you pay will have to pay is determined on whether you meet certain criteria: please check the guidance notes provided by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
When you apply to the University your fee status will be assessed and you will be informed if you are liable to pay the Home or Overseas rate of fees. If you disagree with your classification as overseas or if we are unable to make an initial assessment, you will be asked to complete a Fees Status Questionnaire.
As fee status is determined at the start of your studies based on the relevant 3 year period prior to the commencement of your studies, your fee status will not be amended once you are on programme except in exceptional circumstances (eg a country joining the EU).
I am a member of staff, do I pay tuition fees?
Further information regarding staff scholarships can be found at the Scholarships website.
What tuition fee discounts are offered?
The University of Edinburgh offers two tuition fee discount schemes:
- 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with an undergraduate degree from the University of Edinburgh. The Graduate Discount Scheme applies to both home and overseas students, and applies to the self-funding element of the postgraduate tuition fee.
- 10% discount in postgraduate tuition fees for all students who have previously matriculated on a "Visiting Programme" as a non-graduating undergraduate student and completed a minimum of one semester of study at the University of Edinburgh.
My employer or a sponsor has said that they will pay my fees - what do I need to do?
If your fees are to be paid by such an organisation, you should send evidence of the award on headed paper, including precise details of where any invoice should be sent, and purchase order number (if applicable), to the fees and student support team:
by post to Fees and Student Support Team, Academic Registry, The University of Edinburgh, Old College, South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH8 9YL
Can a family member be regarded as my sponsor?
A sponsor is not a friend or family member. Sponsors include public sector organisations, government agencies, charitable trusts, international governments and agencies, foundations, not-for-profit organisations and private sector employers, where they have agreed in writing to pay all or part of the study, study costs and living costs.
Are there any other fees I may have to pay?
Additional Programme Costs and/or Research Costs may be payable for postgraduate and certain undergraduate programme students as notified in their formal letter of admission. Please contact the appropriate College Office for further details.
If I withdraw from the University, do I receive a refund?
At the discretion of the University, a refund of tuition fees may be made to students who withdraw from a programme with appropriate academic approval. If you withdraw before 31 January, you will be liable for 60% of the annual tuition fees. If you withdraw after this date, you will be liable for the full session fees and you will not be entitled to a refund.
This article was published on Feb 8, 2012