Fees and funding

Most students choose to pay their fees through one of three options: 

1. With a tuition fee loan

   Most UK students take out a tuition fee loan to cover their tuition fees. If you intend to pay with a tuition fee loan you must have applied for your loan before enrolment.

   Apply for an Undergraduate Loan

   Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
    

2. By self-funding

   If you are not taking out a tuition fee loan you will need to fund your studies yourself. There are two ways you can do this. You can pay by:

   1. Single Payment – make a one-off payment for your full fees for the year before enrolment via our secure University Payment Portal using a variety of methods including card and e-wallets.

      OR

   2. Instalments – set up a payment plan within the University Payment Portal to spread the cost of your tuition fee (this can only be done after you have enrolled and have been invoiced for your tuition fee). You can use a UK or International issued card to authorise the University to take payment for your fees on the agreed dates.
       

3. Through a sponsor

   If an embassy or your employer are paying for all or part of your tuition fee we refer to them as your sponsor. You will need to notify us of this before online enrolment so we can invoice them for the appropriate amount. This can be done by completing a Sponsorship Agreement Form (PDF) and uploading a copy to the Online Student Information System (OSIS).

When you need to pay your tuition fees depends on your level of study and whether you are paying the Home or International fee.

Important:

• Payment by instalments is only possible if you have set up a payment plan through the Kingston University Payment Portal (log in with your student ID).
• The plan must be in place at least five days before the instalment date, so that we can collect the payment directly from your account.
• Please make sure you have sufficient funds available on the due dates. Your card provider may apply charges to your account if a payment attempt is declined.
• If you cancel your payment plan, you will lose the option to pay in instalments and the full remaining balance will become immediately due.
• If unforeseen circumstances mean you cannot pay an instalment, please contact the Accounts Receivable team for advice rather than cancel the instruction.

Instalment dates for UK students

International students

The way you pay your tuition fees depends on your level of study and whether you are self-funding or sponsored. The table below sets out the requirements for international students, including when instalments are available and what must be paid before enrolment.

Instalment dates for International students

There are a number of different scholarships and bursaries available for applicants at all levels. Explore the fees and funding pages for undergraduate, postgraduate, or international study to find the most relevant information.

Student Funds are also able to give information on student maintenance loans and grants. This team deals with applications to the various University discretionary hardship funds and the Kingston University Bursary. They handle all applications for Federal Student Aid for students from the USA who study at Kingston.

Contact Student Funds via the Information Centre or by email to [email protected].

Our experienced money advisers can help you with all student money matters, including claiming benefits and managing debt.

We offer one-to-one confidential appointments to discuss budget plans and money worries as well as drop-in, email and phone information and advice services.

We recommend that you read through the Money Matters booklet as it contains lots of useful information from tuition and accommodation fees to scholarships and bursaries as well as lots in-between! 

There are three different booklets so simply select the one below that is relevant for you:

• Money Matters (Undergraduate Home students) (PDF)
• Money Matters (Postgraduate Home students) (PDF)
• Money Matters (International students) (PDF)

Your fee status depends on your nationality, where you live, and how long you have lived there. The University decides your fee status based on the information you give us. Where possible we will let you know your fee status in your offer letter, but we might need to ask additional questions. In all cases, we will determine your fee status prior to enrolment.

The cost of your course and the payment options available to you will depend on whether you are required to pay the Home or International fee. 

Fee status in England is governed by government regulations and any subsequent amendments:

• Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 1997, (Statutory Instrument 1997 No 1972)
• Education (Fees and Awards) (England) Regulations 2007

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides detailed guidance on fee status including explanations of the legal terms used in fee regulations. Please refer to the UKCISA website to understand the criteria we use to fee assess students for fee purposes.

We will let you know what your status is prior to your enrolment. In some cases, we may ask you for additional information or ask you to fill in an Online Fee Task (OFT) via OSIS or a Fee Status Questionnaire before we make a decision. It is very important that you provide us with full information before you become a registered student.

Should your circumstances change between receiving a fee decision and starting your course we will reassess your fee status based on your most recent circumstances. Any change in your fee status during the application process will not affect your academic offer but may affect related financial support (including PhD funding).

In most cases, the criteria to be eligible for Home (UK) fees must be met before the start of your course, the first day of the first academic year, and therefore your status will not change once you have enrolled. 

If you have started your Kingston University course but decide to leave the course permanently, you can submit a request to withdraw. Please note: you may be liable for all or part of the tuition fee depending on when you withdraw from the course.

If you provided the faculty with written notice of withdrawal from your course using the appropriate form before a withdrawal cut-off date and you have received written acknowledgment from your faculty, you will only be liable for the fees specified.

You should read through the full GR1 regulations and take a look at the undergraduate and postgraduate cut-off dates if you are considering withdrawing from your course.

If you decide to proceed, you must submit your request in the Online Student Information System (OSIS):

• Log into OSIS using your Kingston University student ID
• Go to the 'Your Studies' tab
• You will find further instructions provided on the screens
• If you are unable to access OSIS, please contact your faculty student office in the first instance

If you believe you are eligible for a refund, you must raise an enquiry via the StudentHUB. View our full refund policy only.