The Student Room Group

Can I change fee status in UCL

I am now regarded as overseas as an undergraduate, however I will be getting my UK nationality this October, as the first day of academic year is at September, I will have to pay international fee for the first year, I was wondering if I could change my fee status from overseas to home in the second year.
Bump
how did you get the nationality?
Original post by LeoHsieh20040725
I am now regarded as overseas as an undergraduate, however I will be getting my UK nationality this October, as the first day of academic year is at September, I will have to pay international fee for the first year, I was wondering if I could change my fee status from overseas to home in the second year.
Original post by Amarah Mohmd
how did you get the nationality?


Through immigration, do you know if I can change my fee status or is there any other way, as I am so stressed now 😭
Your fee status does not solely depend on your nationality. To be considered a home student, usually you must have lived in the UK for three years prior to the start of your course. If you were considered an overseas student in your first year, it's very unlikely you'd qualify as a home student in your second year.
Take a look at the specific requirements here: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Fees-and-Money/England-HE-fee-status
I think you should contact the uni or UKVI
Original post by LeoHsieh20040725
Through immigration, do you know if I can change my fee status or is there any other way, as I am so stressed now 😭
Hi, is it three years after obtaining the nationality? or 3 years of working in the UK on a work via count too?
Original post by ringwiss
Your fee status does not solely depend on your nationality. To be considered a home student, usually you must have lived in the UK for three years prior to the start of your course. If you were considered an overseas student in your first year, it's very unlikely you'd qualify as a home student in your second year.
Take a look at the specific requirements here: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Fees-and-Money/England-HE-fee-status
On the first day of your course, you must have been settled in the UK (being on a work visa does not count).
Additionally, you must have lived in the UK for three years prior to that (being in the UK on a work visa would count).

For example, if you were on a work visa from 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2022, then got indefinite leave to remain on 1 September 2022, and your course began on or after 1 September, then you would qualify for home status.
However, if you were still on a work visa on the first day of your course, then you would generally be considered an overseas student.
As above, fee status is normally determined by residence not nationality. Even UK nationals who have lived abroad end up getting classified for the overseas fees.

Whether your prior residence "counts" might depend on what kind of visa you were on. I have ILR and so as long as I've been resident in the UK for the last 3 years or so (which I have) I count as a home fees student (the fact I've been resident in the UK with ILR much longer doesn't really matter apparently).

I'd suggest contacting the uni to query your fee assessment.

Spoiler

(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by ringwiss
Your fee status does not solely depend on your nationality. To be considered a home student, usually you must have lived in the UK for three years prior to the start of your course. If you were considered an overseas student in your first year, it's very unlikely you'd qualify as a home student in your second year.
Take a look at the specific requirements here: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Fees-and-Money/England-HE-fee-status


I am sorry, I meant to say I will obtain my permanent residence , I have been living in uk since I was 10 and I am now 18
Original post by Amarah Mohmd
I think you should contact the uni or UKVI


I will thank u for ur advice
Original post by LeoHsieh20040725
I am sorry, I meant to say I will obtain my permanent residence , I have been living in uk since I was 10 and I am now 18


I would have thought you ought to qualify as a home fees student in that case? It's similar to what mine was, and I've always been considered a home fees student. Although I had ILR before I applied to uni, which maybe made it simpler? However visa rules are pretty complex so, you may need to speak with experts about it! As well as the above suggestions of UKVI and the uni, you might want to get in touch with your local citizens advice bureau for advice.
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by LeoHsieh20040725
I am sorry, I meant to say I will obtain my permanent residence , I have been living in uk since I was 10 and I am now 18


Even so, because you were not a permanent resident on the first day of the first year of your course, you would not (usually) qualify for home fee status.

What visa were you on before?
Original post by artful_lounger
As above, fee status is normally determined by residence not nationality. Even UK nationals who have lived abroad end up getting classified for the overseas fees.

Whether your prior residence "counts" might depend on what kind of visa you were on. I have ILR and so as long as I've been resident in the UK for the last 3 years or so (which I have) I count as a home fees student (the fact I've been resident in the UK with ILR much longer doesn't really matter apparently).

I'd suggest contacting the uni to query your fee assessment.


I am meant to say I will obtain my permanent residence, in that case do you think is it possible to change my fee status?
Original post by artful_lounger
I would have thought you ought to qualify as a home fees student in that case? It's similar to what mine was, and I've always been considered a home fees student. Although I had ILR before I applied to uni, which maybe made it simpler? However visa rules are pretty complex so, you may need to speak with experts about it! As well as the above suggestions of UKVI and the uni, you might want to get in touch with your local citizens advice bureau for advice.


This is the important part. One of the requirements is to have been settled (i.e., had ILR or citizenship) in the UK on the first day of your course.
Original post by ringwiss
Even so, because you were not a permanent resident on the first day of the first year of your course, you would not (usually) qualify for home fee status.

What visa were you on before?


I am not sure I need to check
Original post by ringwiss
This is the important part. One of the requirements is to have been settled (i.e., had ILR or citizenship) in the UK on the first day of your course.


Original post by LeoHsieh20040725
I am meant to say I will obtain my permanent residence, in that case do you think is it possible to change my fee status?


Not sure, based on the above it sounds like you couldn't :s-smilie:

You could ask if you can defer for a year and have them reassess your fees after you receive ILR? They might not be too happy about it though, and technically your deferred offer would be an international fee paying offer so not sure how that would affect things...
Original post by artful_lounger
Not sure, based on the above it sounds like you couldn't :s-smilie:

You could ask if you can defer for a year and have them reassess your fees after you receive ILR? They might not be too happy about it though, and technically your deferred offer would be an international fee paying offer so not sure how that would affect things...

Okok, I am now planning to call them on Monday to ask if I can change fee status, praying for my IRL to come before first of September, or deferred offer
Original post by LeoHsieh20040725
I am now regarded as overseas as an undergraduate, however I will be getting my UK nationality this October, as the first day of academic year is at September, I will have to pay international fee for the first year, I was wondering if I could change my fee status from overseas to home in the second year.

Hello! I'm just wondering have you got home fees in the end, as I'm currently facing a similar situation.

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