Self-fee payer

I’m paying for my tuition fees, or a member of my family is paying for my tuition fees
Self-fee payer

Tuition fee fraud

The Higher Education sector is seeing rising levels of fraud in relation to the payment of tuition fees. Please do not pay your tuition fee through a ‘third party facilitator’, particularly if that facilitator approaches you direct and offers a discount. A ‘third party facilitator’ could also be someone known to you, such as another student, or a former student at the same university.

You should only ever pay your fee direct to the University using our authorised payment methods.

Chinese students have been particularly targeted. The City of London Police’s Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU) has issued an information document which provides further information. It is available in English and Chinese.

Please stay alert and if you have any concerns please contact the Student Accounts team in the first instance – studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk

1. I am starting a new programme. How much am I required to pay for tuition fees?
The tuition fees specific to a course or programme are shown in the 'Fees, costs and funding' section of each undergraduate course and taught postgraduate programme web page. Please choose your course using the search box. 

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2. If I study on a part-time basis how do I calculate my fees?

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student you will be charged only for the modules you undertake each academic year as agreed with your faculty. Each module attracts a specific number of credits and the fees are calculated for each 10 credits you undertake. Please bear in mind that the underlying per 10 credit fee tariff normally increases each academic year during your period of study.

To find out the amount charged per 10 credits please visit the course or programme web page (see the answer to question 1 above).

3. What date should I pay my fees by?
If you are paying all or a portion of your tuition fee personally, University policy is that you pay in full upon enrolment, however we do make provision for students who are unable to pay the full amount at once.

2021/2022

If it is not possible for you to pay your tuition fee in full on enrolment, you are able to pay over three instalments as outlined below.
For those programmes commencing between September and December:
  • 33% to be paid by 5 November 2021
  • 33% to be paid by 4 February 2022
  • 34% to be paid by 6 May 2022
For those programmes commencing between January and March:
  • 33% to be paid by 4 March 2022
  • 33% to be paid by 3 June 2022
  • 34% to be paid by 2 September 2022
For those programmes commencing between April and July:
  • 33% to be paid by 3 June 2022
  • 33% to be paid by 2 September 2022
  • 34% to be paid by 2 December 2022
If you have a question in relation to payment deadlines for 2021/2022, please contact the student accounts team by email: studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk.

2022/2023

If it is not possible for you to pay your tuition fee in full on enrolment, you are able to pay over three instalments as outlined below.
For those programmes commencing between September and December:
  • 33% to be paid by 4 November 2022
  • 33% to be paid by 3 February 2023
  • 34% to be paid by 5 May 2023
For those programmes commencing between January and March:
  • 33% to be paid by 3 March 2023
  • 33% to be paid by 2 June 2023
  • 34% to be paid by 1 September 2023
For those programmes commencing between April and July:
  • 33% to be paid by 2 June 2023
  • 33% to be paid by 1 September 2023
  • 34% to be paid by 1 December 2023
If you have a question in relation to payment deadlines for 2022/2023, please contact the student accounts team by email: studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk.

4. I will be receiving a Postgraduate Loan/Doctoral Loan from Student Finance and want to use the funds to pay my tuition fee, what do I need to do?

Please refer to the payment deadlines outlined in Question 3 which should align to the dates by which you receive your loan instalments from Student Finance.

5. Can I pay in instalments?

See question 3.

6.  How do I make a payment or set-up a Recurring Card Payment
UK Payments – Pay online by credit or debit card
Pay online anytime by credit or debit card using our online portal.
  • If you wish to pay your tuition fee in instalments, you will be contacted prior to the first instalment deadline to input your card details into our payment portal to enable payment of your fees to be taken automatically in GBP on the instalment due dates. You do not need to do anything until you are asked to do so, which should be by the first week of November 2022.
  • The amounts due, including the due dates, will be pre-populated in the payment portal for your convenience. Please ensure you have sufficient funds available on the relevant dates.
  • Please log into the portal, select the UK payment portal and enter the required information. This includes your Student ID & date of birth. On the following page select ‘Recurring Card Payment’.
  • Please note that non-payment of your tuition fee can have serious consequences on your academic progress and can include having sanctions placed on your IT & library access.
You do not need to take any action if:
  • you have a loan from the student loan company for your tuition fees, or other relevant funding body making payment directly to the University.
  • a Sponsor is making payment for your fees and you have provided a sponsored letter
  • you wish to make payment in a currency other than GBP. Please then use our international payment provider, Flywire, using the same portal.
You’ll need your Student ID to hand. Please note: for high value transactions, we strongly recommend that you contact your bank or card issuer to advise them you’re intending to process the payment of your fees. This will avoid delays or problems in your transaction being processed.
International Payments – University of Plymouth has partnered with Flywire to securely process international payment 
By making your payment using Flywire you can:
  • pay by credit or debit card, bank transfer or by e-wallet
  • pay from any country or bank
  • over 150 currencies supported
  • avoid bank fees and extra charges
  • be guaranteed the best exchange rate when making a bank transfer using Flywire. If you find a better rate within two hours, Flywire will match it
  • receive email and text alerts each step of the way of your payment, including a confirmation your payment has been securely delivered to Plymouth
  • get 24/7 multilingual support with any questions you have about making your payment from Flywire’s expert team. You can give them a call, send an email or use live chat online.
Please note: we do not accept payment in cash for tuition fees.
For further enquiries about tuition fees, payment methods or refunds, email the Student Accounts Team at studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk or call us on +44 1752 588130.

7. How do I request a receipt for payment of my tuition fees?

An automatic receipt will be e-mailed to you if you pay via the online ePayments portal. Should you require a receipt for payment by bank transfer or Cheque please email the Student Accounts Team at studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk. Please include your student reference number, details of your payment, the name of your programme of study and the academic year you need a receipt for.

10. I am a new applicant and I am not sure if I am classified as a Home student, or as an International Student?

Please see our fee assessment questionnaire for assistance.

12. I think my tuition fees are wrong – who should I contact?

If you believe that your tuition fees have been incorrectly calculated, please contact the Student Accounts Team in the first instance, by email at studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk or by telephone +44 1752 588130. Please provide as much information as possible.

14. I am a postgraduate student who studied for my undergraduate degree at University of Plymouth; Am I eligible for an alumni discount on my tuition fees?

Full details and eligibility criteria can be found viewing our funding for staff and alumni page.

15. What financial assistance is available for postgraduate students?

Student Finance offer a Postgraduate Loan for postgraduate taught students and a Doctoral Loan for postgraduate research students towards the costs of postgraduate study.

  • Postgraduate taught students – if your course starts on or after 1 August 2020 you can apply for a Postgraduate Loan of up to £11,222 for your whole course. If you’re studying for two, three or four academic years, the loan will be divided equally across each year of your course. See the Student Finance website for details of eligibility, exclusions etc.
  • Postgraduate research students – if your course starts on or after 1 August 2020 you can apply for a Doctoral Loan of up to £26,445 for your whole course if it lasts between three – eight years. The loan will be divided equally across each year of your course. See the Student Finance website for details of eligibility, exclusions etc.
  • Most students on PGCE programmes can receive undergraduate student funding, contact Student Finance for more information.
Some UK students on postgraduate programmes opt to take out a Postgraduate Loan to fund their masters study.
Other options include employer sponsorship or bursaries (if you are studying eligible courses – visit the NHS Business Services Authority for more information).

16. What financial assistance is available for international students?

International students at undergraduate level usually pay their own fees sometimes funded through taking out loans in their home countries. Another route is sponsorship by a government or embassy body.

A scholarship is available for all qualifying international students – please view our undergraduate international scholarships information.

At postgraduate level, scholarships may be available – please view our postgraduate scholarships for international students information. Alternatively, sponsorship from your embassy may be available.

17. I am thinking of withdrawing/interrupting my studies, how does this affect my tuition fee? 

The University will apply its policy on tuition fees payable by students who withdraw or interrupt their studies. Please note: if you wish to interrupt or withdraw from your programme, you must do more than simply stop attending. You must advise your faculty office by submitting a withdrawal or interrupt study form. For the policy and form please view our debt advice page.

Did you find what you were looking for? If you can’t find the answer to your query in the information provided here, please get in touch. We’ll be happy to help. Email us at studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk or call us on +44 1752 588130.