Higher Education Fee Policy 2009/10
Fee Policy for 2009/10 for Higher Education funding council for England (HEFCE) programmes
1. General
This Fee Policy provides you with information on payment of and liability for tuition and bursary fees. Throughout this policy references to fees relate to one academic year unless stated.
2. Higher Education Home Fees (UK and EU Students)
2.1 Under the new higher education funding arrangements, from September 2006 no full-time UK or EU undergraduate student has to pay fees before they start university or whilst they are studying. Students will be able to take out a tuition fee loan each year to cover the full cost of their fees. For 2009-10 Colchester Institute will charge UK and EU students an annual tuition fee of £3,225 for a full-time undergraduate programme. The charge for a foundation year (i.e. preliminary year (level 0) of specific 4 year degree schemes will be £1,460). To enable access and progression Colchester Institute may, in exceptional circumstances, charge a different variable fee.
2.2. Please refer to the Part-Time Prospectus for specific fees for postgraduate taught programmes. Please refer to Appendix B for the full list of qualifications and fees for 2009-10.
2.3. In the event of a student withdrawing before 1st December 2009 where they have opted to pay their fees via a Student Loan, the Student Loans Company will not settle any part of the tuition fee liability. In such a situation Colchester Institute will recover any outstanding fees for tuition directly from the student.
2.4. Financial assistance, where applicable, for part-time students is provided through the Student Loans Company as for full-time students. Students undertaking part-time higher education (HE) courses and requiring financial support cannot be assessed until they have been enrolled and attended the course for two weeks. Students can ask for a preliminary tuition fee assessment to be carried out by Student Services department. Student Services will assess on the information submitted by the student and confirm in writing to Registry what tuition fee support the student is expected to receive. Registry will determine from this information what charge will be made at enrolment.
2.5. Fees are due upon enrolment. Where your fees are not met by the Student Loan Company you can pay the full amount by credit card, debit card, cheque, or cash or you can pay by instalments (see 4.2). All fees due must be fully paid before completion of your award or qualification.
2.6. Colchester Institute Membership Only is available at a charge of £69 and is for those wishing to avail themselves of a limited set of Colchester Institute facilities or for those returning for exams where they are not enrolling for a course or paying for a completion module.
2.7. Equivalent or Lower Qualifications (ELQ)
If you are applying for a degree course in 2009 but already possess a qualification at the same level, you should be aware that you will be liable to pay an increased tuition fee for your degree course as a result of recent changes in the Government’s funding of Higher Education. Please see Appendix A.
2.8. Fee payments should be paid at the Registry Department in the Main Building.
3. Overseas Fees
Full-time undergraduate: £7,600 per academic year
Part-time: Variable according to course.Part-time students pay separately for additional services.
Please contact the International Admissions Officers on (01206) 712150 to confirm status and obtain a copy of the International Fee Policy including information on payment by instalments and refunds.
4. Fee Payment
4.1. Non-cash payment – this must be for the exact amount. Cheques should be made payable to Colchester Institute.
4.2. Instalments (Home and EU)
Full-time Higher Education
The number of instalments depends on the fee amount as shown below. Payments are due at enrolment and the start of the following terms as appropriate.
| Fee Amount due for payment by student | Maximum No of Instalments |
When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Less than £500 | 1 | On enrolment |
| Between £500 and £1,000 (Two equal instalments) | 2 | On enrolment 4th January 2010 |
| Over £1,000 (In equal instalments) |
3 | On enrolment 4th January 2010 19th April 2010 |
Students paying fees by instalments who withdraw partway through their programme of study will be required to complete payment of their outstanding fees as determined by the fee refund policy set out below.
Part-time Higher Education A two stage instalment process will apply - first payment due on enrolment, second payment due by 4th January 2010.
Postgraduate For courses commencing in September/October a three stage instalment process will apply – first payment due on enrolment, second payment due by 4 th January 2010, and third payment due by 19 th April 2010.
For courses commencing in January 2010 a two stage instalment process will apply; first payment 4th January 2010, second payment due 19th April 2010.
4.3. Sponsored students must produce a Colchester Institute Sponsor Form, available from Registry or Admissions, completed and signed by the person authorised to pay fees. Instalments are not available for sponsored students.
4.4. Contracts. Where possible contracts should be organised for payment using the sponsorship method in 4.3. If a special arrangement is in place the students in the contract must be on the contract list provided to Registry prior to enrolment.
4.5. Students should present their Support Notification letter at enrolment or as a minimum, pay the first instalment by 16th October 2009. Colchester Institute will make any necessary refunds on receipt of the Student Loans Company assessment. Where a student expects to get full tuition fee support and this initial payment is likely to cause hardship, they should apply to Student Services for a short-term loan.
4.6. Second Semester starts – Students enrolling to an annual academic year programme after 22nd February are enrolled at 50% of the band fee. The student will re-enrol in September for a full academic year at the full rate. Special rates may apply for postgraduate courses, please contact Registry for information.
Where students commence their programmes in January 2010 a two stage instalment process will be allowed for self-funded students, the first payment on 4th January 2010 and the second payment on 19th April 2010.
4.7. No student with an outstanding account can progress to the next stage of their programme of study, receive an award, or be considered for further qualifications or be given a reference from Colchester Institute. Once fees become overdue, the Finance department will manage the recovery of the debt.
Please note that you will NOT BE ABLE to attend the Graduation Ceremony if you are in debt to Colchester Institute.
Normally no award shall be granted to a person for whom Colchester Institute disciplinary proceedings are outstanding.
5. Fee Refund Policy (Home and EU)
This policy applies to enrolled students who subsequently withdraw from their programme of study before completion and relates only to fees paid personally by a student. In all cases application for refund of fees will only be considered if Colchester Institute has received a written notification of withdrawal. Your written notice of withdrawal should be submitted to the HE Operations Manager. If you are requesting a refund this should be submitted to the Customer Services Manager within two weeks of your withdrawal date.
5.1. Refunds for Full-time Students
5.1.1. If the student withdraws on or before 16th October 2009, no fees are due. If the student has paid anything towards fees and requests a refund, all may be refunded but note item 5.1.4.
5.1.2 If the student withdraws on or before the 4th January 2010, but after 16th October 2009, the first instalment will be due. Upon written application to the Customer Services Manager, and in extenuating circumstances, the second instalment can be cancelled, or refunded if paid in full. This request should be submitted within two weeks of the final attendance. If the amount due is not paid by the withdrawal date then an invoice must be issued for the balance. No refund can be given for the first instalment if paid.
5.1.3 If the student withdraws on or before 19th April 2010 but after 4th January 2010, the first and second instalment will be due. Upon written application to the Customer Services Manager, and in extenuating circumstances, the third instalment can be cancelled, or refunded if paid in full. This request should be submitted within two weeks of the final attendance. If the amount due is not paid by the withdrawal date then an invoice must be issued for the balance. No refunds can be given for the first or second instalment.
5.1.4 All refunds are subject to a £50 administration fee.
5.1.5. Please refer to item 2.3 for those withdrawing prior to 1st December where students have opted for their fees to be paid by the Student Loans Company.
5.1.6 Refunds are not normally given for sponsored students.
5.1.7. A refund will not be paid if a bursary payment has been made to the student.
5.2. Refunds for part-time students
5.2.1. If withdrawal from a full academic year course takes place prior to the end of the first semester (5th February 2010) a partial refund may be available on the fees for self-paying students at the discretion of Colchester Institute. The refund will be equal to the equivalent second instalment value had the instalment method been used. Partial refunds are not available where the total course fees are below £200. Application must be made in writing to the Customer Services Manager. This request must be made within two weeks of the final attendance.
5.3. Deposit Refunds (International Fees)
A partial deposit refund will be considered where the deposit is for a full-time programme and where, for example, a visa has been refused by a government department. An administration charge of £100 will apply. Application must be made in writing to the Customer Services Manager within two weeks of the start date for the course that it was intended for enrolment.
5.4. No deposit transfer between customers is permitted.
6. Temporary Withdrawal (Intermitting Students)
Students who temporarily withdraw are subject to the Temporary Withdrawal (Intermission) procedures in the HE Regulations. Students are required to remain as members of Colchester Institute and pay the appropriate fee where applicable. Please see item 2.6.
7. Liability for Payment
All students are liable to pay tuition fees. You are responsible at all times for any fees or amounts outstanding to Colchester Institute.
If you are being sponsored you are responsible at all times for any fees or amounts outstanding to Colchester Institute. The failure of your sponsor to pay fees does not negate this liability.
8. Bursaries
8.1. Colchester Institute Special Support Bursary
This maintenance bursary supports eligible UK students with course related costs to ensure that no student is deterred from applying on the grounds of financial hardship. It is paid in two instalments, one at the end of January and the other at the end of May.
For UK students eligible to receive the Colchester Institute Special Support Bursary this will be offered in addition to any assistance given by the Student Loans Company.
EU students are not eligible to apply for maintenance loans from the Student Loans Company or the Colchester Institute Bursaries. Instead, they should contact their own country’s government to see if they are eligible for any support from it. The Colchester Institute Special Support Bursary is applicable to entrants on full-time undergraduate degree schemes where the course fee is £3,225.
In the event of withdrawal, Colchester Institute will cancel any future special support bursaries as follows:
| Withdrawal before 4th January | No payment made |
| Withdrawal after 4th January, but before 1st May. | 2nd payment not made. |
8.2 Progression Bursary for students undertaking Foundation Degrees
This non means tested progression bursary provides support to full-time UK students with course related costs studying on both years of a Colchester Institute Foundation degree and the third year of an Honours degree following the successful completion of a Colchester Institute Foundation degree. It is paid in three parts as follows:
8.2.1. Foundation degree students will receive £500 on successful completion of their first year and enrolment on to the second year of the programme. This will be paid prior to the end of the first term.
8.2.2. Foundation degree students will receive a further £250 on successful completion of the attainment of the award of Foundation Degree following confirmation from the Examination Boards.
8.2.3. Students who progress to the third year of an appropriate Colchester Institute Honours degree, following successful completion of the attainment of the award of a Colchester Institute Foundation degree will receive £500 following enrolment on the programme. This will be paid prior to the end of the first term.
9. Colchester Institute and University of Essex Staff Discounts
9.1. Colchester Institute staff will be permitted to undertake University of Essex Staff Development Courses and University of Essex staff will be permitted to undertake Colchester Institute Staff Development Courses, subject to availability, at a reciprocally agreed discounted rate.
9.2. A tuition fee discount of 50% will be made available to University of Essex staff wishing to undertake programmes of study at Colchester Institute.
10. Accreditation of Prior Learning
The acceptance of applicants with credit to higher education programmes will not normally reduce the fees payable.
11. Examination/Award Body Registration Fees
11.1 Where applicable all part-time students on HE courses will generally be expected to pay examination/registration fees. Therefore all essential examination/awarding body fees are included in the fees payable at enrolment.
11.2 Anyone wishing to follow a programme of study without undertaking the assessment will be liable for tuition fees at the non-home rate.
11.3. Examination fees to be paid post enrolment will not be invoiced. Payment must be made at the time of submitting the examination entry form.
11.4 There will be no additional fees for essential award body registrations or first attempt examination fees for full time HE students.
11.5. Exception: Where the professional body require direct payment of their fees from the student, they will not be collected at enrolment or paid for by Colchester Institute.
11.6. Where applicable examination resit fees will be charged prior to entry. All students taking a resit examination must pay the fees.
11.7. Where late entries are accepted, the additional fees are to be paid by the student.
12. Where to get assistance
- For support with finances please contact Student Services on (01206) 712293.
- For support/information on registration, withdrawals, fee payments, Student Loans Company please contact Registry on (01206) 712555.
- Student loans are administered by the Student Loans Company (SLC) and applications should be made before the start of the academic year for each year you are a student.
Student helpline: 0845 300 5090
Website: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
This Fee Policy provides information relating to tuition fees, funding and bursaries. Although great care is taken in compiling it, Colchester Institute reserves the right to make changes. We have tried to ensure its accuracy, however it is for guidance and does not form any part of any contract.
