Paying your fees - postgraduate
There are a number of options for paying your fees, which are explained on this page.
The University does not send out invoices, so if you need to find out how much you need to pay, see the tuition fees page or the postgraduate accommodation fees page.
If a private company or another organisation will be paying your fees, read the guidance for externally funded postgraduates.
Pay in full or in instalments
You can pay for tuition and accommodation all at once or you may be able to pay in instalments. However, the option to pay by instalment is not available to:
- students who have repeatedly defaulted on instalments in the past
- visiting students admitted for one semester only
- sponsors (this does not include family and friends, who are able to pay by instalments).
International students
If you are an international student who requires a visa to study in the UK, you must ensure that you have the means both to pay your fees and to cover your living expenses while you are living in St Andrews. This is a requirement of current UK immigration rules.
Tuition fee payment options
| Payment option | Payment deadline date | Ways to pay |
|---|---|---|
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Pay in full September start All other dates |
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| Two instalments |
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Three instalments (for Student Loans Company aligned with loan payments September starts) |
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Three instalments (for part time MSc distance learners programme fees only). Those studying PGCert or PGDip can also pay in instalments. Please email studentfinance@st-andrews.ac.uk to discuss. |
Distance learners can pay in 3 instalments, 60 credits at a time. Fees are charged evenly across each academic year, based on your maximum length of study. Example deadlines starting in September:
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| Monthly instalments |
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Accommodation fee payment options
| Payment option | Payment deadline date | Ways to pay |
|---|---|---|
|
Pay in full September starts All other dates |
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| Two instalments |
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| Monthly instalments |
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Ways to pay
You can pay your fees through the different methods described here.
Bank transfer and eWallet
International bank transfer
Pay your fees with Convera GlobalPay for Students.
Our international payment platform, Convera GlobalPay for Students, allows students, parents and sponsors to pay student fees in their chosen currency by bank transfer or a local online payment option (including Alipay, UnionPay and Sofort).
Once you've chosen your preferred payment method and currency you will receive payment instructions by email. For a bank transfer this will include bank account details (for example, SWIFT code, IBAN).
For more information please refer to the Convera GlobalPay for Students infosheet.
Benefits
- Students, parents and sponsors can use this platform to pay deposits, tuition fees and more.
- Avoid costly transaction charges from your bank.
- Pay online via popular options including bank transfer, credit card, debit card, or eWallet.
- Compare payment options instantly and Convera holds the exchange rate for 72 hours.
- If you find a cheaper quote from your bank, Convera will match it with their Price Promise Guarantee.
- Track your payment status by SMS and email.
- Multilingual platform available in ten languages.
- Access 24 hours a day, seven days a week live chat on the platform or contact Convera's friendly team at studentsupport@convera.com
- A platform built with security in mind so that your money is protected.
- Ability to initiate refunds easily should circumstances change.
- Pay your fees via a global partner which has been helping students achieve their education dreams for over a decade.
Further information can be found in the Convera Convera GlobalPay for Students Price Promise document.
Start payment via Convera GlobalPay for Students.
Convera Sanctioned Countries
Please do not remit payments through Convera if you live in one of these restricted jurisdictions: Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Belarus, Venezuela, Cuba, Crimea, and the Luhansk and Donetsk territories.
UK bank transfer
Bank transfer from a UK bank account.
You can now make an immediate bank transfer from your UK bank account to the University of St Andrews through our Sofort Open Banking Payment Solution, powered by Convera GlobalPay for Students.
Your payment will then be received and allocated to your financial statement in two to three working days.
This is a secure, efficient and easy way to process your payment, without the worry of entering the wrong bank details.
Alternatively, if you prefer to make a manual bank transfer payment, you can also select this option with Convera GlobalPay for Students. Please note that this option will take slightly longer to be received by the University and allocated to your financial statement.
Start payment via Convera GlobalPay for Students.
Debit or credit card (including card plans)
You can make a payment by debit or credit card using our online payment options. We accept all major credit and debit cards except for JCB and Diners cards.
You will need your 9-digit student ID number and your date of birth.
For high-value transactions, it is strongly recommended that you contact your bank or credit card issuer to advise them you are intending to process a transaction for the payment of fees.
Recurring card plan
You can pay fees by instalment using a credit or debit card (known as a recurring card payment). To set up an instalment plan please go to our online payment options.
If you choose this option to pay by instalment, you must set up your recurring card plan before the start of each academic year.
To update or change the card details after your plan is set up please go to our secure portal and input the email address that you entered when you set your plan up.
If you have any queries or if your fees change during the year, please contact the Cash Office by emailing studentfinance@st-andrews.ac.uk. If you make a one-off payment before the due date, you should contact the Cash Office to prevent them collecting payment twice.
You may be charged a late fee for any payments that are declined. The University will not be liable for any charges incurred as a result of any overdraft or credit card charges being applied to the payer's account.
Overseas credit cards
If you are offered the option to pay in your home currency, FEXCO is offering an 'exchange rate guarantee'. This means that you have the certainty of knowing the exact value of your payment at the point of sale. The exchange rate used is based on Reuters Wholesale Interbank Exchange Rate.
The currency conversions service is provided by FEXCO Merchant Services on behalf of the University of St Andrews. FEXCO provide the University of St Andrews customers an exchange rate guarantee. See further details about FEXCO's currency conversion.
Please be mindful when comparing rates online as the rate quoted is likely to be an interbank rate representative of a midpoint between buying and selling and will generally not be available from a bank for processing payment. If you choose not to take advantage of paying in your home currency, then the transaction will be processed in GBP.
Late penalties
The University operates strict payment deadlines for each academic year.
Penalty charges
Late penalties:
- Late payment of tuition fees - 3% of outstanding fee
- Late payment of accommodation fees - 3% of outstanding fee
- Failure to make any payment plan - 3% of outstanding fee
Registration
You will not become a fully registered student until you have paid your fees in full or set up an instalment plan.
Returning students may not be allowed to matriculate if they have an outstanding debt owed to the University. Students with outstanding debts should contact Credit Control (creditcontrol@st-andrews.ac.uk) as soon as possible to discuss their situation.
Library and Sports Centre access
Students who do not respond to correspondence requesting payment for outstanding debt may have their access to the Sports Centre denied and may be unable to withdraw books from the Library.
Accommodation
Any student living in University accommodation failing to keep to their payment schedule will be referred to the Head of Student Accommodation Services, who will decide whether to serve a notice of eviction. Availability of University accommodation in the future may also be jeopardised.
Failure to pay policy
Students who are are behind on their payment plan will be referred to the credit-control section of Finance, who will take the appropriate action in line with the University's Failure to pay policy to ensure that all payments are made in full.
Communication will be sent to the student's University email, and this should be checked regularly.
Final decisions on late payment penalties will lie with the Finance Operations Manager.
Advice about fee payment scams
Please be safe when making payments or providing your personal details, particularly to third parties. The University of St Andrews is not responsible if you make a payment to sources outside of officially advertised University payment channels. If you are unsure what the official payment channels are, please contact the University directly before making any payments to anyone.
If you need more information, help or support with making a payment to the University, please contact the Cash Office by emailing studentfinance@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Also, read the following advice for how to avoid scams:
- Do not provide your personal University login credentials or access to your University accounts to anyone.
- Never share personal, banking or financial information with anyone who lacks a verifiable relationship with the University.
- Be wary of any person offering to make a tuition payment on your behalf or promising a discount on payment. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
- The University does not usually specify new payment methods or channels, so be cautious of any new payment channels via third parties claiming to be affiliated to the University of St Andrews.
- Avoid any individuals and companies in your home country advertising tuition payment services that are not listed on the University’s website.
- Be cautious of any social media posts that reference discounts to fees. Some scammers will go as far as to create legitimate-looking social media or websites.
- Always check with the University before agreeing to process any payment through a third party that is not directly affiliated with the University, and not visible on the University’s payment website or included in previously provided payment instructions.
- Always be vigilant about how and where you may be approached by scammers (in person, by phone, via social media). When in doubt, contact the Cash Office (studentfinance@st-andrews.ac.uk). Never be pressured by any proclaimed deadline, threats of retaliation or threats to revoke your student visa if a payment is not made.