STUDENT 1 (MAN, American):
Good morning. We’re studying abroad from the United States this semester, and
we have a few questions about our tuition. Are we in the right place?
ADVISOR (WOMAN, British): Yes,
of course. This is the Fees Office. How may I assist you?
STUDENT 2 (WOMAN, American):
Well, it’s sort of complicated. We normally pay tuition with student loan
money, which gets directly deposited to our university, but in this case, the
money was sent to us directly.
ADVISOR: Yes, that’s quite
common for our international students who are only studying in England for one
term.
STUDENT 1: So, are we allowed to make monthly
payments on tuition, like, throughout the term?
ADVISOR: Yes, that’s
allowed. Let me give you an overview of how the process works. Fees are charged
to each student.
The fees cover registration, exam fees, lectures and membership at the
Students’ Union.
STUDENT 2: What about room
and board?
ADVISOR: Are you staying in a university residence, or
have you acquired a flat on your own?
STUDENT 2: We’re both in
university housing, but I’d like to move off campus, if possible.
ADVISOR: I’m afraid it
might be too late. You will have to check that out with the Student Accommodation
office. Advisors there can assist you with both on and off-campus housing arrangements.
STUDENT 1: So, accommodation
fees are separate from tuition?
ADVISOR: Yes, you have to
pay them separately. For students enrolled here full-time, fees are deducted
before loan cheques are disbursed, but your case is a bit different, so you
will have to pay the fees separately on your own.
STUDENT 1: Is it possible to do that in
instalments?
ADVISOR: Of course. Overseas students
are asked to
pay fees in either instalments or in full at the beginning of the term. We do
offer an early payment reward system. If you pay your fees in total between
August 1st and October 1st, you will receive credit on your student account.
STUDENT 1: What do you mean, credit?
ADVISOR: If you pay during
the early payment period, then
you receive a credit that amounts to 2% of what you paid for fees. Not as cash, though. Credit
is deposited in the form of points to your student account, which can be used
at our catering outlets on campus.
STUDENT 2: Is there a
discount if I pay all of the tuition upfront?
ADVISOR: No, there is not.
The fees will remain the same. The tuition
fee for undergraduate non-EU students is £8,147.
STUDENT 1: So what about
instalments? How do I set that up?
ADVISOR: Well, fees are paid in three
instalments. You will receive three separate invoices. The invoices are payable
by either cheque, credit card or debit card, or bank transfer, at your
discretion. If you’re using a bank card, you may make payments on our website.
The first invoice is sent by October. You are required to make the first
payment by the end of that month. Your last instalment for the term can be paid
no later than the first of May. If you’d like, you are eligible to make any
additional payments before May. Our mailing address is listed online, but you
may drop the cheque off in person, if you choose to do so.
STUDENT 2: Is there a
penalty for late payments? The
reason I’m asking is because our loans are getting
deposited to our accounts in three instalments throughout the semester, so we
don’t have all of it yet.
ADVISOR: Of course. I
believe that is a federal regulation with US loans. We try to be flexible with
our students. However, if payments are delinquent and you have not contacted
the Fees Department, then sanctions are imposed on your status.
STUDENT 2: What are the
sanctions? Do we lose credit for the course?
ADVISOR: It depends on the
situation. Sanctions may include anything from losing your library rights,
de-registration from the university, a fine, or a withholding of your degree.
STUDENT 1: Sorry, this is sort of a
random question, but I heard some other students talking about something called
council tax. Do we need to pay that as well?
ADVISOR: Ah, no, you are
exempt from council tax unless you become a full-time, degree-seeking student
at a British university. Since you’re only studying here temporarily and your
degree will not be issued from our institution, you don’t need to bother about
council tax.
STUDENT 1: Great, thanks for
all of your help.
STUDENT 2:
Yeah, thank you. That helps a lot.
ADVISOR:
Not a problem. Please see our website if you have any other questions, or feel
free to enquire via email.