There are no legal restrictions for accessing study in the UK. Students have to meet the entry requirements of the course and be able to pay the fees and support themselves while studying.
Most students over 19 years are asked to pay a contribution towards their tuition fees except when they are:
An exception might be made if the course is mainly dedicated to adult basic education or a student is learning English as a second language.
Immigration Status |
Further Education Entitlements (Grants/Loans) |
Higher Education Entitlement (Fees) |
| Refugee/ILR | As Home Student (Eligible regardless of how long you have lived in the UK) | As Home Student |
| ELR/ELE (HP/DL) (ELR/ELE replaced by HP/DL - April 2003) | As Home Student (after 3 years) | As Home Student |
| Asylum Seekers: Pre-July 2000 in country applicants awaiting decision | Overseas Student rate in theory but presently concessionary fees for part-time students on welfare benefits/vouchers. Those applying under NASS have free access to ESOL but no access to government funded training schemes. | Overseas Student Rate |
| Asylum Seekers: Pre-April 2000 at port applicants awaiting a decision | Overseas Student rate in theory but presently concessionary fees for part-time students on welfare benefits/vouchers. Those applying under NASS have free access to ESOL but no access to government funded training schemes. | Overseas Student Rate |
| Asylum seekers applying since 3rd April (at port) or 24th July 2000 (in-country) | Overseas Student rate in theory but presently concessionary fees for part-time students on welfare benefits/vouchers. Those applying under NASS have free access to ESOL but no access to government funded training schemes. | Overseas Student Rate |
| Asylum Seekers: Cases rejected and appealing | Overseas Student rate in theory but presently concessionary fees for part-time students on welfare benefits/vouchers. Those applying under NASS have free access to ESOL but no access to government funded training schemes. | No |
| Asylum Seekers: Cases rejected and have exhausted all appeals | No | No |
Updated: April 2003