Home fee eligibility for those at UK boarding school
Determining whether your child qualifies for Home fees at a UK university typically depends on several factors, including their residency and immigration status, as well as the specific policies of the university.
In the UK, universities and colleges charge different tuition fees based on students’ fee status. Generally, students classified as “Home” students are eligible for lower tuition fees, while those categorized as “Overseas” students are subject to higher fees.
British citizens and individuals with settled status may be eligible for Home fees, but they must navigate additional criteria, such as the duration of their residency in the UK or their reasons for being absent from the country. International students coming to study in the UK are typically subject to higher tuition fees.
Main Purpose Rule
In the context of fee status for educational purposes, particularly in the UK, the “Main Purpose Rule” typically refers to the primary reason for an individual’s residence in the country and whether it qualifies them for the lower “Home” tuition fees or the higher overseas tuition fees.
The main purpose rule is applied when assessing residence history in relation to a student’s fee status. If a student has been residing in the UK mainly to attend full-time education, this period of ordinary residence may not count towards achieving Home fees. This particularly affects students in boarding schools whose parents reside elsewhere. Universities often assume that a child (under 18) will be living with their parents. If the parents are living in another country, the child’s residence in the UK would likely be deemed mainly for the purpose of attending full-time education (boarding school).
Therefore, it’s important to recognise that a child living in the UK for many years at a boarding school may not have guaranteed Home status if their parents live outside of the UK. Families in this situation will have a more complex case and need to carefully prepare their application for university.
It’s important to note that fee status determination can be complex and may vary between universities. Students are typically required to provide evidence to support their fee status application. This includes residency documents, immigration status, and other relevant information.
Read our article about Ordinary residence to see how it impacts your fee status case.
For a free summary of your fee status case UK Study Options now have a simple, easy to use online tool. Designed as an essential first step, the Fee Status Checker helps families understand their initial eligibility for Home fees and sets the stage for more comprehensive support if needed.
