Studying at university after moving here

Studying at university as an expat or long-term resident in the UK is possible, but your immigration status and residency history determine whether you pay home fees (roughly £9,790 per year for undergraduate study) or significantly higher international fees (often £20,000–£45,000+). Understanding fee status and student finance eligibility early on can save thousands of pounds and unlock government loan support.

Fee status: the critical dividing line

UK universities split students into two categories: home and international. This classification is not based on where you studied before moving to the UK, but on your current immigration status and how long you have lived here. Your fee status is determined by UK government regulations, not by individual universities, though each institution applies the rules to assess your circumstances.

Qualifying for home fees

To pay home fees, you must meet two key requirements. First, you need the right immigration status: British or Irish citizenship, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR, a form of permanent residency), settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (if you were an EU national living in the UK before the end of 2020), refugee status, or another qualifying category. Second, you must have been ordinarily resident (living as your normal home) in the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before your course starts—and this residence cannot have been mainly for full-time education.

The three-year residence clock runs backwards from the first day of your course, not from when you received your university offer. If you move to the UK specifically to attend university, that time spent studying does not count towards your three years of ordinary residence. However, if you worked here for two years, then studied, the working time may count.

International fee status

If you do not meet the home fee criteria, you are classed as an international student. Most visa holders, including those on a Student Visa or temporary work visas, fall into this category. International fees are set independently by each university and can vary widely—anywhere from £15,000 to £45,000+ per year depending on the institution and course. Unlike home fees, which are capped by government regulation, there is no ceiling on international fees.

Student finance loans and government support

Who can access loans?

Student finance in the UK includes tuition fee loans (to cover course costs) and maintenance loans (to help with living expenses). These loans are available almost exclusively to home fee-paying students. To qualify, you typically need settled status and three years of ordinary UK residence before your course begins. The Student Loans Company (SLC) verifies your immigration status and residency by checking data with the Home Office and other government agencies.

International students cannot access government student finance loans. Some universities offer their own scholarships or bursaries to international students, but these are competitive and often smaller in value. Before choosing a university as an international student, research what private funding, employer sponsorship, or family support you can arrange.

Applying for student finance

Home students apply for student finance through Student Finance England (or the equivalent body in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, depending on where you normally live). You will need to declare your National Insurance number, confirm your immigration status, and provide evidence of your residency history. Begin your application as soon as you have an unconditional offer and know which institution you will attend; applications open several months before the academic year.

• Tuition fee loans cover course fees and are paid directly to the university.
• Maintenance loans help with living costs and are paid directly to your bank account in instalments throughout the year.
• You do not need to repay student loans while you are studying; repayment begins once your income exceeds a threshold after graduation.

Part-time and distance learning options

If you are working full-time in the UK or have commitments that prevent campus attendance, part-time or distance learning degrees may be ideal. These allow you to study flexibly and earn while you learn. The Open University, a specialist distance learning institution, offers over 200 qualifications including undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, and short courses. Other universities, including the University of London and University of Portsmouth, also provide online and part-time programmes.

Student finance eligibility for part-time study differs slightly from full-time study. You can access a tuition fee loan for part-time courses if you are studying at least 25 per cent of a full-time workload (typically 30 credits per year). However, maintenance loans for part-time study are more restricted and generally only available if you cannot attend in person due to a disability. If you are studying a distance learning course, you must be living in England on the first day of your course to qualify for maintenance support.

Master's degrees and postgraduate loans

If you are considering a postgraduate (master's) degree, different funding rules apply. UK government Postgraduate Master's Loans are available to home fee-paying students who meet residency and immigration criteria similar to undergraduate loans. You must be under 60 years old, normally resident in England (or the equivalent nation where you study), and studying a full standalone master's course worth at least 180 credits.

For courses starting in 2026–2027, the maximum master's loan in England is £13,206, which can be used towards tuition fees or living costs. The course can be full-time (one or two years) or part-time (two to four years). Importantly, you can only access a postgraduate loan for your first master's degree; if you already hold a master's qualification or higher (such as a PhD), you are ineligible.

EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can also access postgraduate loans, as can Irish citizens. International students from outside the EU cannot access government postgraduate loans and must explore scholarships, employer sponsorship, or private finance.

International students should also be aware that some distance learning courses have a single global fee applied to all students regardless of fee status, which may be lower than typical campus-based international fees. Check with the provider directly.

Practical steps to take now

1. Determine your current immigration status and calculate whether you will meet the three-year residency requirement by your intended start date.
2. If you are on a visa close to expiring, check whether you can extend it or apply for settled status (ILR) before your course begins.
3. Use the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) fee status checker or contact your prospective university's admissions team to confirm your likely fee category as early as possible.
4. Register for student finance applications as soon as they open, even if you are not yet certain about your eligibility.
5. Keep detailed records of when you arrived in the UK, any visas or immigration documents, and addresses where you have lived, as these will be needed to verify ordinary residence.
6. For postgraduate study, check master's loan eligibility separately and apply through Student Finance England (or your home nation's equivalent) if you think you qualify.

Key resources

Start with the official UK government student finance website (gov.uk) for your nation, where you can check fees, eligibility, and apply online. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides detailed guidance on fee status and immigration rules. Your university's admissions and student finance teams can also answer questions about how the rules apply to your specific circumstances. If your situation is complex—for example, if you are a refugee or have humanitarian protection—Citizens Advice can offer free guidance.