Calendar 2019/20

I - University Student Finance Regulations 2019/20

Contents

1

Introduction

2

UK Student Finance

3 Sponsors
4 Payment of Fees
5

Other Fees, Fines & Charges

6

Communications -

  Invoices & Statements
  Email & Student Information Desk (SID)
  Release Authority
7 Due Dates, Sanctions & Penalties -
  Tuition & Accommodation Fees Due Dates – Undergraduate, PGCE & Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Students
  Tuition Fee Due Dates - Postgraduate Research (PGR) Students
  Sanctions & Penalties for Non-Payment
  Additional Sanctions
  Third party disclosures and sharing of information
  Debt recovery agents
8 Interruptions, Withdrawals & Refunds -
  Tuition Fees - Undergraduate & PGCE Students
  Tuition Fees - PGT Students
  Tuition Fees - PGR Students
  Tuition Fees - Modular attendance
  Includes students with Home/EU/International/Islands fee status
  Accommodation
  Early termination
  Accommodation refund
  Refunds relating to Professional Career Development Loans, US Direct Loans or Canadian Educational Loans
 

Refunds relating to referred Assessment Fees

  Postgraduate Submissions
  Important Refund Information
9 Bursaries -
  Eligibility
  Application, Assessment & Payment
  Reassessment, Interruptions & Withdrawals
  Appeals
10 National College of Teaching & Leadership
  Eligibility
  Terms and Conditions
  Application & Payment
  Interruptions & Withdrawals

1

Introduction

1.1

These regulations provide information and guidance on payment of all fees and fines whilst studying at the University of Exeter (hereafter referred to as the University).  It also covers deadlines, sanctions and penalties for non-payment and terms and conditions for funding schemes.

1.2

Students, including those paid for by a third party, are responsible for ensuring all fees and fines are paid in accordance with these regulations that cover the University academic year, which starts on the 1st August each year.

1.3

Specific terms and conditions apply to University scholarships and studentships. Reference should be made to the details supplied by the relevant College or Service.

1.4

Students of the University studying at our campus in Cornwall (Penryn Campus) are subject to the fees rules and regulations stated in this document, with the exception of those items relating specifically to charges, deadlines and payment conditions for accommodation. Accommodation charges, deadlines and payment conditions for the student residences at Penryn are available from the Accommodation Office, Penryn Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall, TR10 9EZ (Telephone - +44 (0) 1326 253639/email – accommodation@tremoughservices.com).

2

UK Student Finance

2.1

UK government student finance for Home/EU undergraduate student applicants is processed by the relevant UK Funding Bodies (hereafter referred to as relevant UK funding body):

  • Student Finance England
  • Student Finance Wales
  • Student Finance Northern Ireland
  • Student Awards Agency for Scotland.

2.2

Eligible undergraduate & PGCE students can apply for a tuition fee loan and maintenance loan through the relevant UK funding body via each respective secure online system. PGT students are eligible to apply for a post graduate loan via a secure online system. Students should be aware that the amount they are able to borrow as a tuition fee loan or post graduate loan will be verified by the relevant UK funding body and that the University has an obligation to notify the relevant UK funding body of any discrepancies or inconsistencies in the details submitted.

2.3

Applications must be submitted annually to the relevant UK funding body.
Deadlines for completion and submission of the online application form are:

For new and continuing students course start date between 1st August and 31st December 2019

31st May 2020

 

Funding is notified to students by a Student Finance Notification and a payment schedule from the relevant UK funding body. Where an application has not been confirmed to the UK funding body or funding confirmation has not been received by the University, the full annual tuition fee remains payable by the student.

2.4

Where the student’s financial position is re-assessed by the relevant UK funding body and the student contribution is reduced as a result, the University is unable to process any refund until formal notification of the change is received from the relevant UK funding body. For more information please see Section 8 ‘Interruptions, Withdrawals & Refunds’ of these regulations.

2.5

In the event that the University receives formal notification from the relevant UK funding body that a re-assessment has increased a student’s personal contribution payable in respect of any academic year, the University will pursue the invoiced amount in line with standard due dates as per Section 7. Queries regarding the reasons for re-assessment, the calculations used, or the basis of the decision should be addressed to the relevant UK funding body.

2.6

Students are liable for payment if there is any failure to pay the amount in whole or in part by the relevant UK funding body. For more information on failure to pay, please see Section 7 ‘Due Dates, Sanctions & Penalties’ of these regulations. All debts to the University are pursued, in accordance with the University’s debt management policy.

3

Sponsors

3.1

If a student’s tuition fees are to be paid by a sponsor (e.g. an employer) the student must produce, at enrolment, a letter confirming that the sponsor accepts responsibility for the payment of fees. In the event of the sponsor defaulting on the payment of fees or otherwise disclaiming responsibility, the student is liable for payment of any outstanding amount due.

3.2

Students are responsible for ensuring that any fee to be paid to the University by a sponsor is paid in full and on time. Failure to ensure a sponsor pays by the due date and in full will be subject to the debt management policy. For more information on failure to pay, please see Section 7 ’Due Dates, Sanctions & Penalties’.

3.3

Tuition fees for full-time postgraduate students in receipt of awards from Research Councils and other similar sponsoring bodies will be collected by the University from the body concerned.

3.4

If an unfunded balance remains on the student account and no alternative arrangement is made then the student is liable for payment of the remaining balance. In these circumstances, the University will advise the student in writing and request that the balance of any tuition fee is payable by the student in line with the standard due dates as per Section 7. All debts to the University are pursued, in accordance with the University debt management policy.

4

Payment of Fees

4.1

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure payment for balances due are made by the due dates provided.

4.2

Tuition and accommodation fees are chargeable for the academic year unless otherwise stated. The University may increase future tuition fees for returning students.

4.3

For those fees that are regulated by Government legislation, such as Home and EU undergraduates, future increases will not be more than the amount permitted under that legislation.

4.4

For those fees that are not regulated by Government legislation, such as International students, future increases will be in line with CPI (Consumer Price Inflation) measured in December each year. This increase will apply throughout the duration of the course/programme.

4.5

After receiving an offer for a full-time taught postgraduate (PGT) programme, the student will need to pay a tuition fee deposit to confirm a place with the University.

4.6

PGT students who are in receipt of the financial support listed below, covering the full tuition fees and can provide documentary evidence of this, are exempt from paying a deposit:

  • an approved scholarship;
  • studentships;
  • Financial Aid under the US William D. Ford Direct Loan Programme;
  • Canadian Educational Loans Programme;

The deposit will be offset against the first term's tuition fees. For more information please visit the University Postgraduate Taught Tuition Fee Deposit webpages.

4.7

Where students register for individual modules, the tuition fee for each module must be paid in full prior to the commencement of the module. If the fees have not been paid in full prior to commencement of the module, then students are not permitted to take up their place on the module.

4.8

Research students are required to register and continue to pay tuition fees, if they are given permission to transfer to continuation status, continuation fees will then be charged, as appropriate, until the submission of the thesis. For more information please visit the University Continuation Fees section of the University webpages.

4.9

Part time students, including students repeating all or part of an academic year, will be charged tuition fees on a pro-rata basis, either based on the number of credits as a percentage of full time equivalent credits or based on a percentage of the annual fee. Students repeating all or part of an academic year should expect to pay such fees personally, as sponsors (particularly the relevant UK funding bodies) do not normally give financial support for repeat study.

4.10

Students with a contract for University accommodation who occupy their room late remain liable for the full accommodation fees in accordance with their accommodation agreement. If the contract starts on a date other than the start of a term, or on the first day of the vacation period (for 51 week contracts only), payment will be due immediately.

4.11

In the event that an overpayment is made against the total annual tuition fee amount or the total accommodation fee, then the credit balance arising will be used to offset any outstanding debt or invoice (e.g. outstanding tuition or accommodation debts to the University) on the Student’s account (whether arising from tuition, accommodation, or any other legitimate charge) in due date order.

4.12

Where there is no instruction from the payer or student to set the payment against a particular charge (e.g. against tuition, accommodation, or other invoices) the University reserves the right to allocate the funds received in the following order on the student’s account:

  1. Accommodation;
  2. Tuition; and
  3. Any other outstanding debt to the University.
4.13

All payments made to and from the University in respect of fees, fines, and other charges must be made in £ Sterling. Any currency conversion costs or other charges incurred in making a payment or in processing a refund shall be borne by the Student or the third party making or receiving the payment, and shall not be deductible from the amounts due to the University. For payment methods please see the University Make a payment pages. Please note that these payment methods cannot be deemed 100% secure due to the security weaknesses inherent in the global IT networks. All payments are made at that persons’ own risk.

5

Other Fees, Fines & Charges

5.1

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure payment for balances due are made by the due dates provided.

5.2

Throughout the academic year, including holiday periods, miscellaneous charges may be applied to a student’s account. Invoices may not be issued for these charges depending on the type of charge incurred. Most commonly these are library fines, replacement books charges, residence charges, tutor fines and fees for exam re-sits. Such charges should be paid by the due date. Non-payment by the due date will result in repayment being pursued pursuant to the University Debt Management Policy. For more information on failure to pay, please see Section 7 ’Due Dates, Sanctions & Penalties’. Students are expected to check their iExeter accounts regularly, to ensure they are aware of any overdue balances.

5.3

If students use and/or borrow equipment from the University, they are responsible for ensuring it is not damaged and returned back to the University. If the equipment is damaged or not returned, the student will be liable and will be required to make good the loss or damage. Students will be notified by the University if a charge will be payable.

5.4

A Late Registration Fee charge of £50 is payable where registration procedures are not completed or where registration or examination forms are not returned by the due dates.

6

Communications

 

Invoices & Statements

6.1

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure payment for balances due are made by the due dates provided.

6.2

Students are expected to check their iExeter accounts regularly, to ensure they are aware of any overdue balances.

6.3 No invoices, statements or reminders are posted or provided in hard copy format to students as the information is online via the iExeter account or sent by email. Once students have registered, tuition and accommodation fees can be viewed online via an online statement account accessible via iExeter. No invoices will be issued in respect of the standard tuition fees as the amounts and payment dates are available online via the student iExeter application. No invoices will be issued in respect of the standard accommodation fees as the amounts and payment dates are outlined in the accommodation contract which is available online via the Accommodation webpages.
6.4

The University makes every reasonable effort to remind students of fees, fines, and other charges due by means of invoices, notices and statements. Students are contractually responsible for paying fees, fines, and other charges by the relevant date whether invoices, statements or any other correspondence are received by the student or not.

 

Email & Student Information Desk (SID)

6.5

Email and SID is the official form of University communication.

6.6

All students are expected to check for messages on their University email address at regular intervals. However, the University reserves the right to send communication to other email addresses provided by the student and held on the student record system.

6.7 Students are expected to check their iExeter accounts regularly, to ensure they are aware of any overdue balances.
 

Release Authority

6.8

Students may authorise the University to release and discuss the financial information from their student record with named individuals by completing the Data Protection Authority, via the student record system, submitting a completed form or by supplying authority by letter or email. This relates to disclosures requested by a student and not disclosures where there is a legitimate interest of the University.

6.9

Where a student falls into arrears of payment to the University, the University may disclose adequate, relevant and sufficient personal data to a third party to enable the debts to the University to be pursued and recovered.

6.10

The Data Protection Authority allows the University to release any financial information from the student’s account in the legitimate course of the student’s activities during the period of study at the University to the named person(s) (e.g. parents, sponsors, agents) and to discuss connected matters (e.g. invoices, payments and outstanding debts in relation to tuition, accommodation or other fees/fines) with those persons for the duration of the course and beyond if necessary. The Data Protection Authority can be withdrawn by the student at any point by contacting recordsmanagement@exeter.ac.uk.

7

Due Dates, Sanctions & Penalties

7.1

In accepting the offer of registration, the student accepts a contractual liability to pay the tuition fee and/or accommodation fees for their year of study in accordance with these regulations. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure payment for balances due are made by the due dates provided.

7.2

Tuition and Accommodation fee payments are due by the dates detailed below. Other miscellaneous charges e.g. Field Trips, Travel Insurance and Residence fines are due within 30 days of the invoice date.

7.3

Where the student is enrolled via a Degree Apprenticeship, or on an online Keypath programme, the process will be different from that described within the Finance Regulations. The process will be confirmed separately by the University. This is also true of any alternative fee arrangements

 

Tuition & Accommodation Fees Due Dates – Undergraduate, PGCE & Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Students

Term

Tuition Fees

Accommodation Fees

Autumn (Term 1)

7th October 2019* (50%)

7th October 2019*

Spring (Term 2)

13th January 2020 (50%)

13th January 2020*

Summer (Term 3)

N/A

4th May 2020*

Vacation (Term 4)

N/A

22nd June 2020**

Notes

*Less any tuition deposit paid (Postgraduate Taught students only)

 *The figure stated in the accommodation agreement

**Applies to 51 week contracts only

 

Tuition Fee Due Dates - Postgraduate Research (PGR) Students

7.4

Where a PGR student commences after 30th September, special arrangements will be made for the calculation of tuition fees (if registering from mid-month, billing will be charged from the following month) for the first and last years of study.

Registration Date for PGR students

Due date for Payment

September, October, November

50% due upon registration, 50% due 19th January 2020

December, January, February

50% due upon registration, 50% due 4th May 2020

March, April, May

50% due upon registration, 50% due 22nd June 2020

June, July, August

100% due upon registration

 

Sanctions & Penalties for Non-Payment

7.5

All debts to the University are pursued, in accordance with the University debt management policy. Persistent refusal to pay fees, charges and penalties by the due dates, or any deferred date agreed by the University, will be regarded as a major disciplinary offence and disciplinary action may result.

7.6

Students are required to meet all due dates of payment whether these are annual payments or instalments. Students whose accounts are not fully paid by the due dates will be subject to the debt management policy:

Stage

Tuition and other academic fees

Accommodation Fees

1

Late fee charges of 3% added to the student account. Applied on any outstanding balance after each payment deadline. Late fee charges are due for payment immediately.

Late fee charges of 3% will be added to the student account. Applied on any outstanding balance after each payment deadline. Late fee charges are due for payment immediately.

2

The University reserves the right to notify the relevant College of the outstanding debt and may apply sanctions (i.e., removal of IT and Library facilities) to any account with an overdue balance. Sanctions may not be removed until payment of all outstanding invoices has been received.

Accommodation Office is advised of outstanding debts.

3

Student blocked from re-registering for a subsequent academic session.

Student invited to attend a formal meeting with the Accommodation Office Manager and a member of the Finance Services Accounts Receivable Team. The Student will be notified in writing.

4

Account sent to Tracing Agents and / or External Debt Collection Agency for recovery.

Account sent to External Debt Collection Agency for recovery

5

N/A

Accommodation office commences eviction procedures.

  The University reserves the right to apply the debt management policy at any time during the academic year. Where there are arrears at the end of the University of Exeter’s academic year (31st July) a student may not be permitted to re-register for the subsequent academic year.
 

Additional Sanctions

7.7 By concession, the University does provide the opportunity to pay fees in excess of £500 by instalment. The instalment provisions may be withdrawn from a student if the payment due dates are not met.

7.8

A student with an academic related debt will not be permitted to graduate, receive their graduation certificate or attend Graduation/Degree ceremonies. Academic debts include tuition fees, bench fees, assessment fees, field trips, replacement book charges & late fees applied to proceeding debts.

7.9

Students in debt to the University in respect of their accommodation will be subject to the provisions and penalties stated in the accommodation agreement and may be refused accommodation provided by University in the future. The University reserves the right to refuse to provide references to future landlords for such students.
 

Third party disclosures and sharing of information

7.10

Information on a student’s debt may be released on a need to know basis to and/or exchanged between different offices of the University in the legitimate course of student debt collection activities. An example of this would be informing a student’s College of outstanding debts to the University.

7.11

Should a student fall into arrears of payment to the University, the University may disclose adequate, relevant and sufficient personal data to a third party to enable the debts to the University to be pursued and recovered. The University may inform the student’s sponsor, funding source, scholarship or bursary provider, guarantor, nominated individual(s) under their Data Protection Authority, external credit checking companies and credit bureaus (in the UK and overseas) of the debt. In some circumstances, this may affect continued and/or future funding to the student and/or their credit rating and ability to obtain credit.

7.12

The University has the right to request credit references either from students or commercial organisations at any time, and can also withdraw or refuse instalment facilities if such references are unsatisfactory or if the student has previously fallen into arrears of payment to the University within the current or any previous academic year.

7.13 The University may request proof of financial difficulty by asking to see financial information on the student and third parties if applicable only if there is a shared financial interest. Evidence may include a student’s bank statements, credit card statements, and/ or other evidence of their financial position where deemed necessary to consider requests for hardship funding, extensions to payment deadlines and in the negotiation of settlement arrangements.
 

Debt recovery agents & further action

7.14

Students whose accounts remain unpaid will be subject to further debt recovery procedures. This may include referral to tracing and/or to external debt recovery agents. Legal action may also be taken through the Courts for recovery using the ‘Make a court claim for money’ service. Additional administrative costs, including agents and Court fees, may be added to the outstanding debt. Tracing agents’ and external debt recovery agents’ fees are not set by the University and are subject to change. They may be linked to the location of the student, and/or the steps taken in order to recover the debt, such as the involvement of local agents in overseas territories. Once a debt is referred to tracing agents or external debt recovery agents, all communications and negotiations should be with the tracing or debt recovery agent and not the University.

8

Interruptions, Withdrawals & Refunds

 

Tuition Fees - Undergraduate & PGCE Students

Includes students with Home/EU/International/Islands fee status (September start)

8.1

The proportion of the annual tuition fee liability and the annual tuition fee to be refunded if the student withdraws/interrupts on/before the relevant date is as follows:

Relevant Date

Element of Tuition Fee Liability

Element of Tuition Fee Refunded

23rd September 2019 to 6th October 2019

0%

100%

7th October 2019 to 5th January 2020

25%

75%

6th January 2020 to 26th April 2020

50%

50%

27th April 2020 to end of academic year

100%

0%

8.2

Students who have applied for tuition fee loan funding from the relevant UK funding body should be aware that any reduction in tuition fees charged by the University is notified directly to the relevant UK funding body. Please note that there will be a corresponding impact on the maximum tuition fee loan that is permitted.

8.3

For students with Home/EU fee status on undergraduate or PGCE programmes transferring to another HE Institution before the end of the academic year (or any period of study for which a tuition fee is paid), no refund of tuition fees applies in respect of the remainder of that academic year (or period). The University has, however, the authority to allow an ex gratia adjustment as it sees fit, and without precedent.

 

Tuition Fees - PGT Students

Includes students with Home/EU/International/Islands fee status

8.4

The proportion of the annual tuition fee liability and the annual tuition fee to be refunded if the student withdraws/interrupts on/before the relevant date is as follows:

Relevant Date

Element of Tuition Fee Liability

Element of Fee Refunded

23rd September to 31st October 2019

0%

100%

1st November 2019 to 5th January 2020

33%

66%

6th January 2020 to 24th April 2020

66%

33%

27th April 2020 to end of academic year

100%

0%

 

Tuition Fees - PGR Students

Includes students with Home/EU/International/Islands fee status

8.5

If the student withdraws/interrupts on or after the 1st November the tuition fee liability and refund will be calculated on a monthly pro rata basis as a proportion of the annual fee.

 

Tuition Fees - Modular attendance

Includes students with Home/EU/International/Islands fee status

8.6 Where students register for individual modules (i.e. part-time distance or e learning), the tuition fee for each module must be paid in full prior to the commencement of the module.
8.7 No refund will be applicable after the module has started. Requests for refunds prior to the start of a module will be referred to the relevant College for consideration.
8.8

In the event that distance e-learning programmes of study are under-subscribed in an academic year, the University reserves the right to cancel the programme. A full refund of tuition fees paid for the cancelled programme will be given to all affected students.

 

Accommodation

8.9 The accommodation agreement obliges the student to pay the residence charge for the full period of residence. The accommodation agreement also sets out the conditions on which residents may terminate their tenancy early.
 

Early termination

8.10 If the student decides to leave their accommodation before the tenancy expiry, the student will remain liable for the fees until a suitable replacement student (one who is not already in University accommodation) takes the students place and the agreement is terminated in accordance with the procedure set out in the accommodation agreement. On termination the balance of the accommodation paid will be refunded from the date of the new occupation, subject to any specified administrative costs incurred by the University. Residence charges will only be refunded if specified in the accommodation agreement. In the event of early termination and for more details on the early termination procedures please refer to the cancellation policy on the University Living webpages.
 

Accommodation refund

8.11

Where an application for refund or discharge of charges is accepted, the University will notify the student in writing of that fact and arrange for any refund to be made as soon as practicable after the student vacates.

8.12

Where an application for refund or discharge of charges is rejected, the University will notify the student in writing of that fact and give reasons for its decision. Objections to the decision may be made under the Students Complaints Procedure.

8.13

A student whose application for refund or discharge of charges is rejected may stay in their accommodation until a replacement student, reasonably satisfactory to the University and not already in University accommodation takes their place or they may vacate. However, if they vacate they will remain liable to pay the charges for the room until a new tenancy is granted to a suitable replacement student.

 

Postgraduate Submissions

8.14

For PGT students who submit their final dissertation/project module, no refund of tuition fees applies in respect of the remainder of the term in which submission is made (see 8.4).

8.15

For PGR students who submit their thesis/dissertation for examination, tuition fees will be adjusted accordingly and any refund due will be calculated on a monthly basis. No refund of tuition fees applies in respect of the remainder of the month in which the submission is made.

 

Important Refund Information

8.16

Students must not intentionally overpay their tuition, accommodation fees and related charges and costs due to the University in order to circumvent any government regulation or restriction. Refunds are not processed against individual receipts where there is an overdue balance on the student account but are applied to any outstanding balance. The University is not able to act as a clearance account and must abide by Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and 2015.

8.17

The University allows most students a concession enabling them to pay accommodation fees termly rather than in full at the start of the year. If payment for the current academic year is made in full or for more than one term for the current academic year by or on behalf of a student, no refund of future terms’ accommodation fees will be given except in exceptional circumstances.

8.18

Please be aware that all refunds are returned to the account from which payment was made. The refund will be processed and returned via the same method by which the payment was made. For fees that are paid by credit/debit card in person or online, refunds due to the student will be credited back to the card that made the original payment. In the event that the tuition fee payment(s) were made by a sponsor, the University reserves the right to refund the relevant fee proportion to the sponsor.

8.19 All refunds will be calculated in £ Sterling but may be refunded in the currency of the original payment. The University will not refund any shortfalls due to exchange rate fluctuations, or offer compensation for any bank or other charges incurred. No refunds will be made in cash and no interest is paid on returned deposits or overpayments.
8.20

Students wishing to attend certain programmes of study may be required to pay a non-refundable tuition fee deposit when the offer of a place is accepted. If a deposit has been paid and there is a refund due where cancellation rights apply, this will be carried out in accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

8.21

Once the University receives notification of withdrawals/interruptions and only when all account adjustments have been made and are reflected on the student account and the refund has been approved the monies due will be refunded within 28 days.

8.22

In the event that a referred assessment fee is paid but the student does not sit the referred assessment(s), the credit balance will be refunded after the Accounts Receivable team has received notification from the exams office. The additional fee for examination at an overseas location will not be refunded

8.23

Special conditions apply to the refund of payments made via US Direct Loans and Canadian Educational Loans due to the operating regulations of these funding schemes. It is a condition of the University’s participation in these funding schemes that refunds are only processed in accordance with the relevant regulations.

9

Bursaries

9.1

Students commencing their study between 2012/13 and 2014/15 may receive either or both of the following means tested awards:

  • Access to Exeter Bursary (referred to as ATE hereafter)
  • University of Exeter National Scholarship Programme (referred to as NSP hereafter).

Students who commence their studies from 2015/16 will only be eligible for the Access to Exeter Bursary.
For more information on awards, please visit our Bursary pages.

 

Eligibility

  To be eligible for a bursary, the student must:
9.2

Be Ordinarily Resident in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (and classified as ‘home’ fee status for student support purposes) or be classed as an EU student for student support purposes. Have applied to, and been offered and accepted a place on an undergraduate programme of study and registered on an eligible course at the University for the new academic year.

9.3

Part time undergraduate students are entitled to bursaries on a pro-rata basis.

9.4

Abide by the University of Exeter’s student regulations. If a student is engaged in misconduct, including academic offences and/or has any outstanding debts with the University, the student will cease to be eligible and will have to repay all of the monies received.

9.5

Have submitted a request for a means tested financial assessment to the relevant UK funding body, and not opted out of sharing the household income information.

9.6

Be assessed as having a household income for the year of entry, and subject to a tuition fee, as per the following table:

 

 

Maximum Household Income

Year of Entry

Fees Liability

NSP

ATE

2010/11
2011/12

£3465

N/A

Up to £35,000

2012/13*

£9,250

Up to £25,000

Up to £42,600

2013/14

£9,250

Up to £25,000

£25,000 to £42,600

2014/15

£9,250

Up to £16,000

£16,000 to £42,600

2015/16
2016/17
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20

£9,250

N/A

Up to £25,000

9.7 Students undertaking programmes whose fees are paid by the NHS or other sponsors/third party funders are not eligible for an ATE or NSP Bursary, even if they meet the above criteria.
9.8

Students from the EU who are not otherwise eligible to apply for means tested support from the relevant UK funding body, will be required to complete a Higher Education Bursary Application Form (EU19N) so that the University can receive details of their household income. This form will automatically be sent by the relevant UK funding body to EU students who apply for a tuition fee loan. EU students who wish to be considered for a Bursary but who do not wish to apply for a tuition fee Loan will need to contact the relevant UK funding body and request that this application form be sent to them.

 

Application, Assessment & Payment

9.9

If the student has completed actions in paragraph 9.5 above, then the application for University bursary support is automatic. If a student has not completed these actions then the deadline for current year applications is 30th June each year. Applications cannot be made retrospectively for a previous academic year.

9.10 Confirmation of the amount of bursary awarded for the academic year will be provided on receipt of a student’s financial assessment from the relevant UK funding body. You must not opt-out of sharing your household income information.
9.11 The overall amount of support received both in the form of NSP fee waiver and NSP Bursary will be used to determine a student’s remaining entitlement. Students whose fees are paid by a tuition fee loan and whose entitlement to a fee waiver decreases may be required to contact the relevant UK funding body to request an increase in their loan.
9.12

Students who are in receipt of an NSP award may be eligible for both a bursary, which is paid directly into a bank account, and a fee waiver, which reduces tuition fee liability. The bursaries will be paid as a BACS payment to a nominated bank account. Students will be given the opportunity to provide bank details on registration during enrolment and can also add or update them through Student Records System, at any time. Bursary instalment payment dates can be found on our Bursary pages.

9.13

As bursary payments are made to assist students with course related expenses, the bursary cannot be used as a credit towards the accommodation deposit or tuition fees. The University cannot be held responsible for any effect that this may have on the receipt of welfare benefits.

9.14 The University will notify the relevant UK funding body of the revised tuition fee liability of students who are assessed for an NSP Fee Waiver, or where they are reassessed as a result of a change in household income. The University will not be responsible for any interest accrued on tuition fee loans which are subsequently returned to the UK funding body by the University after a student becomes eligible for an NSP Fee Waiver during the academic year.
9.15 If, as part of their degree programme, a student undertakes a full year placement either in industry or at a university outside of the UK, including as part of the Erasmus Exchange Programme, they will be charged a reduced tuition fee. Their NSP fee waiver will be awarded in proportion to this fee.
9.16

A bursary award can be made for each year of study, subject to a student’s tuition fee liability and financial assessment for each of those years. Students will also need to continue to meet all other eligibility criteria. The amount of bursary may change each year as a result of a change of circumstances and/or the funding available.

9.17

The University reserves the right to cease payments, to take steps to recover funds already issued and to take any additional action deemed appropriate, if it transpires false information was provided during application for an ATE or NSP fee waiver and bursary. If a student is suspended (temporarily or permanently) further payments will not be paid.

9.18 Bursary payments will be made on the condition that the student remains enrolled at the University and that a financial notice from the relevant UK funding body has been received by the University.
 

It is the responsibility of the student to inform the University of any issues with regard to their statutory funding and to ensure that their award is correct.

 

Reassessment, Interruptions & Withdrawals

9.19

Reassessment of a student’s financial position is occasionally undertaken by their UK funding body, during an academic year; this could be due to a significant change in personal circumstances or as a result of verification of financial evidence. The assessment may result in reduced or suspended bursary payments & fee waivers. If the reassessment results in a decreased household income then bursary payments and/or fee waivers may be increased in line with eligibility. The University will notify the relevant UK funding body of the revised tuition fee liability. If there are any in-year changes to the student ability to receive funding from the UK funding body for other reasons, such as but not limited to, the supply of incorrect information on the application, or an error made by the UK funding body, it is the responsibility of the student to source replacement funding.

9.20

ATE and NSP bursary awards are based on the assessment of household income related to the relevant academic year. Therefore, students who defer starting their studies will be required to reapply to the relevant UK Funding body for the year they commence their studies.

9.21

In the event of a student’s interruption or withdrawal from their course, the University reserves the right to suspend all future bursary payments and recover any bursary payments made for which the student was not eligible.

9.22

Bursary award amount will be calculated in line with your last date of attendance in accordance with the table in 9.23 below.

9.23

Withdrawal and interruption – the bursary will be paid to students, if eligible, on/after the relevant date as follows:

Relevant Date

Element of NSP waiver

Element of Bursary Paid

23rd September 2019 to 6th October 2019

0%

0%

7th October 2019 to 5th January 2020

25%

40%

6th January 2020 to 25th April 2020

50%

80%

26th April 2020 to End of Academic year

100%

100%

9.24

Where students are already enrolled on a full time course but due to exceptional circumstances it becomes necessary to study one academic year part time over 2 years, they are eligible for an NSP fee waiver on a pro-rata basis but will remain eligible for full time ATE bursary support.

 

Appeals

9.25

In the event that a student wishes to appeal against the University decision of their bursary assessment, an appeal must be made in writing outlining reasons for the appeal by logging an enquiry with the Student Information Desk (SID). Once the University receives an appeal, a panel will review the case and will respond formally within 28 days. Deadline for previous year appeals each year is 31st October.

9.26

NHS Bursary Recipients:

Students studying a BMBS course in years five and six who are in receipt of funding from the NHS, will be automatically assessed for a bursary award using the most recent household income figures supplied by the Student Loans Company.

You will be contacted with confirmation of award and payment dates if eligible.

10

Department of Education and Teaching Regulation Agency (DETRA)

10.1

This section sets out the terms and conditions attached to the receipt of the Department of Education and Teaching Regulation Agency (referred to as ‘DETRA’ hereafter) Training Bursary for full-time Post Graduate Certificate of Education students (‘PGCE’). By completing registration with the University, a student is agreeing to comply with the terms and conditions of the bursary scheme and the Department of Education Teaching regulations.

 

Eligibility

10.2

For a trainee to be eligible to receive a bursary, the University must ensure that, from the first day of training, the trainee meets and continues to meet the criteria set out and further explained below. To be eligible for a bursary, the trainee must:

 

a) Be eligible for the provision of UK student support, including that they meet the requirement to be ‘Home or EU’ status’ for the purpose of assessment of fees. Trainees from the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey may still be eligible for support from their respective home education departments and, where this is the case, they will still be eligible for a training bursary on the basis that they meet all other criteria as follows. (Please note, the University may request confirmation of financial support from your respective home education department)

 

b) be training in an eligible ITT (Initial Teacher Training) subject listed, as identified in ITT bursaries funding

 

c) hold a UK first degree or equivalent;

 

d) be taking a qualifying postgraduate ITT course in England;

 

e) be notified by the University in writing that they are eligible;

 

f) comply with the terms and conditions of the bursary scheme;

 

g) not already hold QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), or be eligible to receive QTS;

 

h) not be undertaking paid teaching work when receiving the bursary; and

  i) not be simultaneously undertaking any other ITT course, training scheme or programme leading to QTS.
 

Terms and Conditions

 10.3

To receive a bursary trainees must agree in writing to comply with the terms and conditions of the bursary scheme, these include;

  • promptly informing the University of any changes in their bank account and address details,
  • promptly informing the University of their intention to withdraw from the course; and signing a declaration of understanding to the effect that they expect to seek a teaching post in England on successful completion of their course.
10.4

If a trainee is found to be ineligible for the bursary, the University will make all reasonable efforts to recover bursary payments from the trainee.

10.5  Individuals who hold QTS on the first day of their ITT course are not eligible for a training bursary.
10.6 The training bursary is designed to support the trainee whilst undertaking their ITT training and, in particular, their teaching practice. Trainees who undertake paid teaching in a school or institution become ineligible to receive the training bursary from the date they start this work.
10.7

To be eligible for training bursary, trainees must not simultaneously undertake any other ITT course, training scheme or programme leading to QTS.

 

Application & Payment

10.8

There is no formal application procedure for the bursary but in order to receive payment, the trainee must register for their course and provide details of their nominated bank account. This can be done during the registration process or after registration through the University’s on-line Student Records System.

10.9 

10.9 As part of the registration process, the trainee will be asked to accept the University's terms and conditions which will include the terms and conditions for receipt of the (DETRA) Training Bursary. The trainee will be advised of the eligible Bursary and the payment dates at this time.

10.10

The first bursary payment is made in October on the condition that bank account details have been provided. Bursary awards will be paid in equal monthly instalments over the duration of the course between October and July. To receive the payments, the trainee must be present on the course on the date of each payment

For more information on the schedule of payments please visit our PGCE webpages.

 

Interruptions & Withdrawals

10.11

Eligible trainees who withdraw or defer from a course are entitled to be paid the training bursary for each month up to, and including, the month in which they withdrew. Trainees are only entitled to receive a bursary payment for the month they withdraw if they were still on the course at the time the University makes the payment.

10.12

10.12 In the event of withdrawal or deferral, the University will suspend all bursary payments to the trainee immediately and ensure that University records are updated. The University will attempt to recover any overpayment of bursary from trainees. The University will not make any pro rata training bursary payments to trainees.

10.13

Returning trainees who defer and then re-join their course will only be eligible to receive the remaining bursary award up to the value which was available in the year they started their course.

10.14

If a trainee leaves one ITT course and joins a new one with no transfer of standing or credit from their previous course, and they are being charged a new tuition fee, this is viewed as a separate route to QTS. They will, therefore, be entitled to receive a new bursary. However, trainees who have already received a full bursary award on a previous route to QTS will not be eligible for another bursary.