Home vs. overseas tuition, do i understand this correctly?

if i start part time school in sep 07, i'll have been in the UK for (4) years (under WP then HSMP), but i won't have ILR.  i also won't need a student visa...

will I still need to pay international fees?

Very probably, as you won't have ILR.

Vicky

Vicky is right, you will fall at the first hurdle because you don't have ILR.  The hurdles for you to qualify for home fees for Higher Education under the main formula are:

1.  Settled status
2.  3 years ordinary residence in the UK and Islands (which can include temporary absences)
3.  For none of the 3 years was your main purpose of residence for receiving full-time education.

Andrew

Many schools over a ORSAS - Overseas Reseach Scholarship Award Scheme - which covers international fees and you only have to pay home fees.  I was awarded one of these, now just working on scholarships to cover the home fees (although not exceeding them because that will cancel the ORSAS).

okay... my next step plan is slowing coming into focus.  just want confirmation on one point b/f i start getting my brain in a tizzy.

10-Sep-03- officially started on Work Permit in UK
12-Mar-07- officially change to HSMP status
15-Aug-08- Apply for ILR in person (28 days b/f 5 yrs up)

So.... by this rational, and by the rules as they currently stand, i am a "home student" and I WON'T need a student visa to go back to school? 

some of the schools i'm looking at start in early sept, some in early october.  however, some have complusary/directed reading as early as june/july.  would that count as going to school?  or is the first day i attend classes when i have to have the ILR by?

the cut off date is usually September 1 if your term starts in the autumn- that seems to be standard, but check with your uni to make sure.  You should be eligible for home fees if you get your ILR in August (but you may have to remind your uni because they'll probably treat you as an international student until you have your ILR.)

Yes, for home fees you will need ILR by 1 September before the first academic year of your course(if its a course that starts in the autumn).   

Here's a question that I've been wondering about---I'm looking into the possibility of doing a BSC in Nutrition and Dietetics. Here is what it says on the course website: "The course is funded by the Department of Health and is aimed at applicants who are residents of the United Kingdom. Residents of other European Union countries may also apply"

Does anyone know whether this means that I could receive funding once I have ILR (which I will get after 2 years on my spousal visa) or do I need to wait until I have been a resident for 3 years?

I was planning on getting in touch with the Uni, but thought I might as well ask here first. Thanks in advance!

There are a series of hurdles to clear to be eligible for home fees and student support.  I think you might fall at the second hurdle right now until you can show three years ordinary residence:

1.  Settled status (including ILR)
2.  Three years ordinary residence in the UK and Islands before the "first day of the first academic year" of the course (normally 1 September)
3.  None of the 3 years' ordinary residence was wholly or mainly for education

thanks for the answer.... boy am i glad that i came over to the UK in sep rather than oct.... means not waiting a whole other year...

Many schools over a ORSAS - Overseas Reseach Scholarship Award Scheme - which covers international fees and you only have to pay home fees.  I was awarded one of these, now just working on scholarships to cover the home fees (although not exceeding them because that will cancel the ORSAS).

Yeah, although it is quite limited, only a certain number get allocated per university. Congratulations on yours! (I tried two years in a row with no success.) I think it is just for postgrad courses anyway.

Having given the advice above about the main formula for home fees, you should still self-check whether you come into any of the categories of people who qualify for home fees.  You can do it using UKCOSA's guidance note at

http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/tuitionfees_ewn.pdf (for England, Wales, NI)

http://www.ukcosa.org.uk/images/tuitionfees_ewn.pdf (for Scotland)

does anyone else not find it a bit weird that you can get ILR after two years in the country, but you can't get resident fees until you have been here for three years? i just find it a stupid - if you are here for two years, pay more ridiculous visa fees, take the life in the uk test, and get ILR, then you still can't attend uni as a resident for another year?

maybe im just a bit peeved that it means i have to wait that much longer to finish my degree.....one day.

i *wish* i could get ILR after 2 years.  when i first moved here it was 4 yrs, now it's 5.... will have to wait until sep 08.  royally messed up my schooling plans.

does anyone else not find it a bit weird that you can get ILR after two years in the country, but you can't get resident fees until you have been here for three years? i just find it a stupid - if you are here for two years, pay more ridiculous visa fees, take the life in the uk test, and get ILR, then you still can't attend uni as a resident for another year?

maybe im just a bit peeved that it means i have to wait that much longer to finish my degree.....one day.

Actually, the three years applies to ANYONE - meaning even if you are a British citizen but have lived outside the UK for the three years prior to going to uni, you won't be eligible for home fees.