Fee setting

The University is committed to providing clear and timely information about tuition fees to assist applicants and students in making informed decisions.    

This protocol covers all cohorts of student (foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate) and all modes of attendance on degree programmes.

The purpose of this protocol is to outline:  

  • the principles by which the University sets tuition fees and the framework it adopts for forthcoming academic years    
  • the annual fee setting process
  • the University’s approach to fee setting
  • the information that will be available to applicants and students  

Approach and guiding principles

1. To help enable students to plan for the cost of a university education, the University provides applicants with information on the current tuition fees and other known mandatory charges that apply before an offer is made, where the University is responsible for setting fees. View the current tuition fees.

2. The University reviews its fees and charges annually. Such review will result in the University increasing some or all of the fees and charges if: 

a) the circumstances described in paragraph 4 apply (this will be relevant in relation to the fees and charges applicable to some student cohorts only, as listed in paragraph 4); or

b) an increase to the fees and charges is necessary, due to an increase in the rate of inflation, in order to ensure that the tuition fees cover the University’s increased costs associated with delivering the relevant courses (this will be relevant in relation to the fees and charges applicable to any student cohorts which are not listed in paragraph 4).

3. Any new fees and charges will be effective from the start of the following academic year. By no later than the end of February prior to the start of each academic year, the University will publish the list of approved fees and charges for the upcoming academic year (as updated, where applicable) on the tuition fees page and notify students about the applicable fees and charges for the upcoming academic year.

4. Tuition fees for some cohorts of student are regulated or have caps set by external bodies to the University; if the external bodies amend the relevant fees, the University will also amend the relevant fees to the same amount by following the process described in paragraph 2 above.

    • Undergraduate tuition fees for Scottish and EU domiciled students are set by the Scottish Government.
    • Undergraduate tuition fees for students from the Rest of the UK are in line with the tuition fee cap set by the Westminster Government. Rest of the UK students should expect increases to be made by the Westminster Government from time to time. For reference, the most recent historical increases were made by the Westminster Government in 2025, 2017 and 2012. It is not known when the Westminster Government will next increase tuition fees, by how much, or how frequently the Westminster Government will increase the tuition fees. It is possible that increases could be more frequent and or higher in the future than the increases made between 2012 and 2025.
    • Undergraduate tuition fees for students from the Isle of Man and Channel Islands are aligned to fees for students from the Rest of the UK.
    • Research Postgraduate fees for Home students are set by Research Councils. In such cases the University follows guidelines published by such Research Councils.

5. In addition to information which is provided on the University’s website, the University provides and publishes information on tuition fee rates and policies, including: 

    • information about the tuition fees applicable in the first year of your degree programme
    • information on fee status assessment procedures
    • information on known charges for compulsory elements of the degree programme (for example, an assessed field trip) in relevant student and module handbooks
    • information for students about fee implications relating to changes of circumstances (for example, leave of absence, extension) prior to requesting a change and made clear before accepting a change
    • information on any module-specific charges on an annual basis, to ensure that students are aware of these charges where they apply when making such choices

6. No supplementary tuition fees will be applied. 

Changelog

Version Purpose and or changes Status Author of changes Date
0.1 To bring guidance in line with current policy Approved Marie-Noel Earley Thursday 20 June 2019
0.2 Annual review Approved Marie-Noel Earley Wednesday 27 May 2020
0.3 Annual review Approved Marie-Noel Earley Tuesday 25 May 2021
0.4 Annual review Approved Michele Goodwin, Fees Officer, Registry Thursday 22 September 2022
0.5 Annual review Approved Michele Goodwin, Student Journey Manager (UG and Fees), Registry Tuesday 13 June 2023
0.6 Annual review Approved Tania Beckham, Fees Officer, Registry Wednesday 31 July 2024
0.7 Annual review Approved Tania Beckham, Fees Officer, Registry Thursday 31 July 2025