Higher education (HE) course fees can be funded either through public funding or through independent grants and donations. The respective governments in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland provide their own funding systems for course fees for students. The bodies which manage Higher Education funding and the rules around who qualifies for funding differ in each part of the UK. In all parts of the UK, students are charged different fees depending on residency and immigration status. Students who do not qualify for ‘home’ fees will be charged ‘overseas’ fees, which are significantly higher.
These rules can be complex and are set out in detail by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), who can also provide telephone advice for students. UKCISA can also advise on the rules that apply in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
HE funding is not classed as a public fund for immigration purposes so a person can access home fees, or receive student support, if they are subject to the ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) condition.
Higher education (HE) course fees are part-funded by the UK Government for students in England who qualify for ‘home’ fees. Student support is also available to some students in the form of loans and grants. However, to qualify for home fees and student support, a student must meet requirements relating to their immigration status and length of residence in the UK. See the government information about higher education and student finance.
Funding for Higher Education students in the form of tuition fees, student loans, bursaries and grants is available to eligible students through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). Some students do not pay tuition fees as this can be covered by the Scottish government. In order to be eligible for funding, a student must meet the residency and immigration status requirements.
The Welsh government provides funding via Student Finance Wales for Welsh students and students studying in Wales. The government partially covers the costs of tuition fees while student finance can include loans to cover the remaining costs of tuition fees and living costs. To be eligible a student must meet the immigration status and residency requirements. Some grants and allowances may also be available to some students who have a low income, childcare, or carer responsibilities. See the Welsh government website for more information.
Students in Northern Ireland may be able to access funding for Higher Education courses provided they meet the rules around immigration status and residency. The government partially covers the costs of tuition fees, while student finance can include loans to cover the remaining costs of tuition fees and living costs. See the Northern Ireland government website for more information.
Page updated: 06 June 2025
