Home or overseas fee status

Introduction to fee status

We assess your fee status based on your situation when you begin your course. This fee status will generally apply for the entire duration of your studies.

For a detailed explanation of each of the categories of people who are eligible for home fee status, refer to the UK Council for International Student Affairs, UKCISA.

• If you think your fee status could be in question, you should refer to the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) which publishes guidance on fee status.
• The University of Sheffield strictly adheres to UKCISA guidance for all fee status decisions.
• Request a formal fee status assessment from our Admissions Service
• By signing the Registration Declaration, you are confirming that the information you have provided is complete and accurate.
• Government regulations make no provision for asylum seekers to be entitled to pay the home fee rate. The University of Sheffield does not currently operate a discretionary policy to allow asylum seekers to pay home fees.

How we assess your fee status

New students

• The Admissions Service will write out to applicants for clarity of fee status if the information provided on the application form is not clear.
• If your fee status is clear from the information you’ve provided in your application, we will assume the information is full and accurate and we will not write to you by way of confirmation.
• The decision about your fee status is independent of the academic decision to offer you a place on a course.
• The Admissions Service will normally only undertake a fee status assessment once you’ve been offered a place at the University of Sheffield.
• When assessing your fee status, the University of Sheffield will not take into consideration any decision which may have been made by another institution.
• Once your fee status has been formally established, your University student record will reflect this. It’s your responsibility to bring any errors in your student record to our attention.
• It’s never advisable to begin a course unless you have secured a way to pay for your tuition fees and living costs for the entire length of the course. This is also a requirement of your registration with the University.
• If you can’t pay your fees at the required time, your registration may be cancelled and you will still owe the amount of tuition fees that are due, this is true even if you haven’t completed the academic year or the full duration of your course.
• If you start your course and later find that you can’t continue to pay the overseas rate of fee, you may need to apply for a Leave of Absence (student login required) while you secure the funds you need to pay the overseas fees rate. This means that you take some time out of your studies and your place on the course is held open for when you return to your studies. 

Continuing students

The assessment of fee status is based on your situation immediately before you start a course. This fee status will generally apply for the entire duration of your studies. 

• There are limited circumstances in which your fee status can change part-way through your course, some of which are if you are granted refugee status, you gain settled status or you officially become a British citizen (for more information visit the UKCISA website). Meeting ordinary residence requirements (specific to your category) part-way through your studies will not lead to a change in fee status.
• If during your course, there is a change to your circumstances that affects your fee status, this will not necessarily lead to a change in the fee you are charged. There are limited circumstances when the University can consider changes.
• If you still believe you are eligible for a change in fee status, you will be asked to complete a fee status assessment form.

Fee status assessment form (PDF, 1MB)

• Taking a break from your studies (via a leave of absence or withdrawal) does not qualify you for a reassessment of your fee status to 'home'. Upon returning, you will be considered a 'continuing student,' and your fee status will remain as originally assessed when you commenced your course.

Further support

If you want advice about your own situation, contact UKCISA for free and specialist advice about your eligibility for home fees. 

Alternatively, once you have an offer of a place at the University, you can contact the Student Advice Centre for independent advice in the Students' Union.