Open University fees for foreigners?

Hello all,

I'm planning on joining my girlfriend in the UK next year (around July 2012) on a fiancee visa. I'll have a few months to kill before we head to the registry office. I'm currently working as a software engineer here in the States, but I never finished my undergraduate degree. I figured I'd use the time (and the next 3 years) to gain a degree via Open University.

I cannot, however, seem to find out what the fees will be in 2012 for foreign students. I know they're raising it to £5,000 for 120 units for British citizens, but I couldn't find anything mentioning fees for non-Brits.

I know it will be expensive. I just hope it's not TOO much. Does anyone know? Or at least have an idea?

Thanks so much in advance!

I'm pretty sure that the terms of your fiance visa would prohibit you from undertaking a course of study, even at OU. While on a fiance visa, you're basically allowed to take care of your own home, your own children and plan your wedding. You'd have to enter on a T4 and then switch to the FLR(M) in order to study. I don't think that OU sponsors visas for undergraduate degrees, however.

I'm pretty sure that the terms of your fiance visa would prohibit you from undertaking a course of study, even at OU. While on a fiance visa, you're basically allowed to take care of your own home, your own children and plan your wedding. You'd have to enter on a T4 and then switch to the FLR(M) in order to study. I don't think that OU sponsors visas for undergraduate degrees, however.

Oh, I thought it was allowed. According to http://londonelegance.com/transpondia/fiance/:

The holder of a 'fiance visa' may use the NHS. Additionally, the fiance may attend courses and learning programmes.

I'm not sure if that includes enrolling as an undergraduate with Open University. I guess I have two questions now :-).

Regardless of whether it's permitted for the fiance visa, the question still stands. I'd simply have to wait a few months before starting the courses.

No, that doesn't include being enrolled for a degree.

No, that doesn't include being enrolled for a degree.

Aaah, I see. Thanks for the clarification!

After I am granted provisional leave to remain, I can begin study, correct?

You can take courses overseas as an OU student and you don't have to be enrolled on a degree as such, although you can be if you want.

So this is another tricky one.  Enroll overseas as an OU student and move to the UK as a fiancée. Can you continue to take the course as you regularly would?

 

I wasn't able to find a prohibition on studying in the guidance for a fiancé visa; has anyone seen it?

My bad for not looking first. I haven't found anything either; I was going on the basis of what I remembered of past advice that being on a fiancé visa limited work, volunteering and study as a visitor visa does, but I may have misremembered and it's only work or work and volunteering that is the restriction.

Re the fees, I think the OU charges different fees for different courses, so your best bet would be to get in touch with them directly and ask what it would be for your course.

I wasn't sure so I tried to confirm via the immigration rules, but I didn't find anything prohibiting study.

The fees are different depending on the course, and you will be charged non-resident fees.

Sent you a PM, OP.

I wasn't sure so I tried to confirm via the immigration rules, but I didn't find anything prohibiting study.

The fees are different depending on the course, and you will be charged non-resident fees.

Previously they did, but in 2012, due to austerity measures, they've changed to a £5,000 flat rate for English students based on a 120 credit-per-year course. Apparently they haven't released fees for international students yet.

Is there some sort of aid I could receive? I know I can't get student loans until I spend a few years in the UK. Are US-based Stafford loans available? Or any kind of student loans? Are there private student loans in the UK?

You are unlikely to qualify even for private loans in the UK because of your status. I don't know if US federal loans can be used at the OU. You're probably best to just contact the OU directly.

I cannot, however, seem to find out what the fees will be in 2012 for foreign students.

Have you asked them direct?

I have.  The fee structure for overseas students is still be decided and won't be released until early 2012.  Or possibly November.  They aren't quite sure.  Sigh.

I can't see it increasing any more than the rate of inflation.