Refund policy
University Policy on Reduction of Tuition Fee Liability and Refunds for students who withdraw, suspend or discontinue their studies.
Effective from Academic Session 2010-11
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on when refunds of tuition fees will be made by the University and how they will be calculated. This policy relates to the portion of the tuition fee that is paid directly by the student or by a private sponsor and does not include courses offered by the Centre for Open Studies.
1.1 Any refund of tuition fees and or reduction in tuition fee liability is at the discretion of the University of Glasgow .
1.2 In all cases, any other debt owing to the University will be subtracted from any refund of fees.
1.3 The calculation of any refund which may be due will be based on personal contributions that have been paid for tuition fees less the fee liability. The University will apply the following rules when calculating fee liability for students who are withdrawn from University:
Programmes of study commencing in Semester 1
| Withdrawal date | Fee liability |
|---|---|
| Within 13 weeks of the start of semester one | 60% annual tuition fee is due |
| Thereafter | 100% annual tuition fee is due/No refund |
Programmes of study commencing in Semester 2
| Withdrawal date | Fee liability |
|---|---|
| Within 13 weeks of the start of semester two | 60% annual tuition fee is due |
| Thereafter | 100% annual tuition fee is due/No refund |
Programmes of study with non-standard start dates
The official start date of the programme of study will be used to calculate fee liability.
| Withdrawal date | Fee liability |
|---|---|
| Within 13 weeks of the start of the official start date of the programme | 60% annual tuition fee is due |
| Thereafter | 100% annual tuition fee is due/No refund |
In the case of programmes of study where fees are credit based, or which are designated by the University as distance learning, the fee liability will be calculated on the number of credits for which the student is registered.
1.4 In the case of students who have left their programme of study refunds will only be made when the University's student withdrawal procedure has been correctly followed and the student is recorded as withdrawn in the University student records system. Retrospective or backdated withdrawals will be verified against University attendance records. If this is not possible the date of withdrawal will be taken as the date that the notification of withdrawal is received by the Registry.
1.5 Where tuition fees are wholly or partially paid by a third party, the refund rules will be superseded by any relevant arrangement agreed by the University, concerning the student and the third party. This includes refunds of US Federal Loans will be calculated according to the Return to Title IV (R2T4) regulations. For further information on this please see our Stafford Federal Loans page.
1.6 All refunds will only be made to the bank and account holder (or other financial institution) that originally paid the fee. Refunds are not made in cash.
1.7 Where a student undertakes an approved temporary suspension of their studies, tuition fees already paid will not normally be refunded but retained until studies are resumed or permanent withdrawal occurs. Students who suspend their studies remain liable to pay any outstanding fees which may be due at the point of suspension.
1.8 Any English, Welsh or Northern Irish undergraduate electing to take a tuition fee loan and who subsequently withdraws or suspends before the government census date of 1st December, will become liable for the fee due for their period of study. The Student Loan Company (SLC) will not pay any tuition fee loan to the University if a student leaves before the census date. Any withdrawals or suspensions after 1st December 2010 will be calculated on a weekly basis and the University will notify the SLC of the revised fee calculation for the tuition fee loan.
1.9 Consideration may be given to making refunds to students who have to withdraw due to exceptional mitigating circumstances. The University shall consider each case on merit. Such cases must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Director of Registry who shall liaise with the appropriate College Secretary. Cases based on serious medical problems or bereavement are usually accepted, but academic and financial difficulties are not normally regarded as acceptable reasons for any refund or reduction in fee liability.
1.10 Complaints about refund decisions or the refund process should be put in writing and addressed to the Director of Registry.
Payment of refunds
- Please allow 3 weeks from requesting a refund to receiving it.
- All refunds will be calculated in UK Sterling. The University will not refund any shortfalls due to exchange rate fluctuations, or offer compensation for any bank or other charges incurred.
- Where payment of tuition fees was split between more than one payee, any refund due will be made in proportion to the original split.
- Cash refunds are not made.
- Documentary evidence of sponsorship is required before any refund of personal contributions towards fees can be considered. This may include copies of award notices from funding bodies or letters from sponsors confirming details of the tuition support to be provided.
All refunds will be paid back as follows:
| Original payment method | Paid back by |
|---|---|
| Debit card | Debit card used for original payment |
| Credit Card | Credit card used for original payment |
| Cheque from student | BACS to student bank account |
| Cheque from other sponsor | BACS to original sponsor bank account |
| Bank transfer | BACS to bank account used for original payment |
| Direct debit | BACS to bank account used for original payment |
| Bank draft | BACS to student or sponsor bank account |
| Cash (cash payments are not accepted for tuition fee payments). | Where cash is accepted for other types of payment refunds will be made by BACS to the original payee bank account |
This policy does not cover the following:
- Non-refundable tuition fee deposits.
- Accommodation fees. For information on these please contact Residential Services.
- Graduation official gown hire and photography - please contact Ede and Ravenscroft Limited
- Field trips - please contact your Department
Further Information:
If you require any further information regarding tuition fee refunds please e-mail the Accounts Receivable Team MyCampus-fees@glasgow.ac.uk. To help us deal with your enquiry please quote your student number in your e-mail.