Studying in the UK can be an expensive endeavor for international students, as tuition fees are typically higher for non-UK residents. To mitigate these costs, many students look to qualify as “home students” and pay the lower tuition fees that are available to local students. In this article, we will explore who qualifies as a home student in the UK, specifically at the Master’s level.
Master’s Level Home Student Eligibility
To qualify as a home student at the Master’s level in the UK, there are several eligibility criteria that you must meet. These include:
1.Residency:
You must be a UK resident for three years prior to the start of your course. This means that you must have been living in the UK for at least three years, and not solely for the purpose of studying. If you have lived outside of the UK during this time, you may still be eligible if you can provide evidence of ties to the UK such as family or property ownership.
2.Citizenship:
You must be a UK citizen or have settled status in the UK. Settled status means that you are from the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, and have been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
3.Immigration status:
If you are not a UK citizen or do not have settled status, you may still be eligible if you have a specific type of immigration status. For example, if you have refugee status, humanitarian protection, or are a dependent of someone with settled status, you may qualify as a home student.
4.Previous study:
You must not have previously studied at the same level or higher than the course you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a Master’s degree, you cannot have already completed a Master’s degree or PhD.
5.Age:
There is no age limit for home student eligibility at the Master’s level in the UK.
Benefits of Being a Home Student
There are several benefits to being a home student in the UK. Firstly, home students pay lower tuition fees than international students, which can save you thousands of pounds over the course of your degree. In addition, home students may be eligible for government loans and grants to help cover the cost of their studies. Finally, being a home student may also make you eligible for other types of financial assistance, such as scholarships or bursaries.
Conclusion
In order to qualify as a home student at the Master’s level in the UK, you must meet specific residency, citizenship, and immigration status criteria. If you do qualify, you could benefit from lower tuition fees and access to additional sources of financial assistance. However, if you do not meet the eligibility criteria, you will need to pay the higher tuition fees that are charged to international students.
