Fees and Funding

Payment of fees

Fees are payable for each academic year, or part thereof, or each stage of the programme, where fees are not payable on an annual basis. Fees are revised (that is, increased) subject to annual review. Fees are payable by students continuing on programmes of study in subsequent years.

The University reserves the right to cancel the registration of a student who has not paid the requisite annual composition fees, or who owes the University any sums of money whatsoever. In the event of a student failing, for any reason, to complete a programme of study, the University shall not be under any obligation to return any part of the fees paid by, or on behalf of, the student.

Certain programmes may require additional expenditure for special equipment, field courses, study periods overseas, and so on. Modest charges are made by some faculties or departments for supplementary materials or services, for example, photocopied handouts. Details of such expenses may be obtained from the appropriate faculty or department.

Classification of students

For some programmes of study, the University charges different fees, depending on a student’s status as a ‘Home’ or ‘overseas’ student. The classification of students for fees purposes is based on the Education (Fees and Awards) Regulations 2007. Further information on eligibility criteria and general guidance on fees classification is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

In very general terms, in order to qualify as ‘Home’ for fees purposes, a student must have a relevant connection with the UK, or qualify as an ‘excepted candidate’ under these regulations, for example, as a national of an EU member state.

If you wish to enquire further about your own classification, please contact Academic Registry.

Continuing fees (research)

A postgraduate research student who has carried out the required minimum period of registration (for the purpose of being eligible to transfer to continuing status), as prescribed in the appropriate regulations, to the satisfaction of their  supervisor(s) and Head of Faculty, who has left the University and is making use only of the University’s general facilities and is no longer deemed to be using faculty or departmental, computing or other special facilities such as laboratories, will be required to pay a continuing fee for each year or part thereof (as determined by the University’s fees policy) until the thesis/portfolio is submitted. Continuing fees are payable for each academic year, with provision for partial refund as appropriate.

Continuing fees (taught)

In general, students on postgraduate taught programmes are not required to pay continuing fees, although extension fees may be payable for certain programmes. In such cases, the faculty will notify students of arrangements.

Sources of Financial Support for UK/EU Students

The major sources of financial support for most UK/EU students wishing to undertake research or advanced programmes at the University of Surrey are the appropriate research councils (see below). Responsibility for the awarding of studentships is divided between these bodies according to the subject of study. If you are uncertain which research council covers your area of study, contact either the research councils or the Faculty or Department at the University as early as possible.

Awards are offered on a competitive basis, either in the form of open competition, through a scheme of quota awards to individual Faculties or through funding allocated to Faculties to administer. Awards are not made automatically to eligible students.

In certain circumstances, residents of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland are required to apply to their respective education authorities. Residents of Scotland seeking awards in subjects other than those covered by the research councils should apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, which operates a scheme similar to the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) scheme. Subject to certain requirements, students who are EU nationals, or children of EU nationals, and are ordinarily resident in the European Economic Area, may apply for research council funding on a fees-only basis.

Research councils

Full details of the studentships offered by the research councils are given in their handbooks which you can obtain by contacting them directly or on their websites.

Arts and Humanities Research Council

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) is changing how it awards studentships. Please contact the relevant Faculty or Department for information on the availability of funding. 

Further information is available in the AHRC Guide to Student Funding, available from the AHRC website or from AHRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1UJ.

Biotechnology and Biomedical and Life Sciences Research Council 

The Biotechnology and Biomedical and Life Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) offers postgraduate research awards through Faculties/ Departments by quota allocation and through special projects which the Council identifies as being of high priority within its fields of research. Application should be made through the Faculty or Department in which the proposed research is to be undertaken. The closing date for applications is 31 July each year. 

Further information is available from the BBSRC website or from BBSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1UH. 

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has now ceased administering its own new awards and instead allocates funds to institutions for them to administer. Please contact the relevant Faculty or Department for advice. 

Further information is available in the EPSRC Guide to Postgraduate Training, available from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Postgraduate Training Support Section, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET.

Economic and Social Research Council

The University is part of the South East Doctoral Training Centre with the Universities of Kent, Reading and Royal Holloway, which is accredited by the ESRC. Studentships are available in a number of social science disciplines. Details of studentships opportunities can be found at http://southeastdtc.surrey.ac.uk 

Deadlines will usually be in the spring. Candidates must not apply directly to the ESRC. 

Further information is available in the ESRC Postgraduate Funding Guide for Accredited Doctoral Training Centres, available at www.esrc.ac.uk or from the Economic and Social Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1UJ.

Medical Research Council

The Medical Research Council (MRC) offers postgraduate awards for research or advanced courses within the medical and dental fields. Enquiries should be made to the relevant Faculty or Department. 

Further information is available in the publication entitled Medical Research Council Research and Training Opportunities, available from the Medical Research Council, 20 Park Crescent, London W1N 4AL.

Natural Environment Research Council 

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) offers postgraduate awards for research or advanced courses in the subject area of the scientific aspects of the natural environment. Applications should be made through the relevant Faculty or Department, not directly to the NERC. The closing date for applications is 31 July each year. 

Further information is available in the publication entitled NERC Training Awards, available from the Natural Environment Research Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1EU. 

Science and Technology Facilities Council 

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) offers awards for research on a quota allocation basis, some available in collaboration with industry. Applications should be made through the relevant Faculty or Department, not directly to the STFC. The closing date is 31 July. 

Further information is available in the STFC Postgraduate Studentships Handbook, available from the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1SZ.

University of Surrey awards

Research studentships

Various firms and external organisations are cooperating with certain Faculties/Departments of the University by sponsoring research and by awarding research studentships to suitably qualified students. Faculties/Departments will be able to advise on the availability of the studentships.

Choral and organ scholarships

Choral and organ scholarships, tenable for up to three years, are offered in conjunction with the Dean and Chapter of Guildford Cathedral. Further details may be obtained from the Department of Music in the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences.

The Villis Award

A number of awards in the range of £100–£150 are made annually to assist self-financing students registered on advanced programmes or research degree programmes on a part-time basis in subject areas covered by the Economic and Social Research Council. Information about the awards may be obtained from the University Registry.

Other sources of financial support 

The following publications provide information on other sources of financial support available: 

• The Grants Register, published by Macmillan Press
• Directory of Grant-Making Trusts, published by the Charities Aid Foundation
• Educational Grants Directory, Directory of Social Change, published by The British Council Education Information Service
• Guide to the Major Grant Making Trusts: Directory of Social Change, published by The British Council Education Information Service
• The Awards Almanac, published by Longman
• Postgraduate Study and Research, published by the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS)

Sources of Financial Support for Overseas Students

Contact the following organisations for details of the awards available for overseas students:

British Council awards 

British Council awards and scholarships are available to certain overseas students to pursue postgraduate study. Details of the award scheme should be obtained from the British Council representative, British Embassy or British High Commission in the candidate’s own country. 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office awards: Chevening scholarships 

Awards varying in value are offered to overseas students through a number of different schemes. There are special schemes for students from certain overseas countries. Further details are available from British missions in the candidate's own country.

Science without Borders

The University of Surrey is taking part in the Brazilian Government’s Science Without Borders programme.  Places are available for postgraduate students but is only available to students in Brazil.

Please contact Peter Shelley at swb@surrey.ac.uk in the University of Surrey’s International Relations Office if you have any questions about the programme.

Other sources of information

Further information on postgraduate study in the UK is available in the following publications:

• Awards for Postgraduate Study at Commonwealth Universities, published by the Association of Commonwealth Universities
• Study Abroad, published by UNESCO
• Higher Education in the European Community: A Handbook for Students, published by the Commission of the European Community
• Sources of Financial Assistance for Overseas Students, a leaflet published by the British Council as a reference guide to awards for overseas students

Scholarships

Surrey and Santander Country and University Scholarships

Here at the University of Surrey we are proud to have a global community right here on our campus. With nearly 4,000 international students from over 140 different nationalities studying with us, we are one of the most culturally diverse universities in the country. We are also a member of Santander Universities, a worldwide network of over 800 tertiary education institutions. Santander Universities Global Division generously supports Surrey's international engagement through sponsorship of student and staff mobility, language programmes and entrepreneurship initiatives.
We are pleased to announce 3 new scholarship schemes for 2013 entrants, aimed at further enhancing our cultural diversity:

• Surrey Country Scholarships
• Santander Country Scholarships
• Santander University Scholarships

Surrey Country Scholarships

These scholarships are worth £3,000 for the first year of study, in the form of a fee waiver, to citizens of:

• Bangladesh
• Egypt
• India
• Kuwait
• Nigeria
• Qatar
• UAE
• Vietnam

To be eligible for a Surrey Country Scholarship you must be considered an overseas student for fees purposes and hold an unconditional offer to enter:

• A taught postgraduate programme
• Year 1 of an undergraduate programme, applied for via UCAS with Surrey as your original firm choice

University Country Scholarships are not available for those starting undergraduate programmes on the basis of the following qualifications:

• A-levels*
• Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers*
• Irish Highers*
• International Baccalaureate*
• Cambridge Pre-U*
• BTEC QCF Extended Diploma*
• A foundation year
• An access course

*Students with these qualifications will automatically be considered for a Chancellor’s Scholarship. 
Surrey Country Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, subject to satisfaction of the following requirements:

• At least the equivalent of A*AA at A-level if you are entering an undergraduate programme
• The equivalent of a UK first-class honours degree if you are entering a postgraduate taught programme
• Lack of any other scholarship, either from the University of Surrey, the NHS or from your home country
• Status as a self-funding student
• Willingness to act as an ambassador for the University in your home country, either on graduation or during vacations
• Contribution to diversity at the University in terms of nationality, subject of study and level of study

For advice on grade equivalences between qualifications, please email: international@surrey.ac.uk

Santander Country Scholarships

These scholarships are worth £2,500 or £5,000 for the first year of study to citizens of:

• Argentina
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Germany
• Mexico
• Poland
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Russia
• Singapore
• Spain
• Uruguay
• USA

Scholarships will take the form of fee waivers.
To be eligible for a Santander Country Scholarship you must hold an unconditional offer to enter:

• A taught postgraduate programme
• Year 1 of an undergraduate programme, applied for via UCAS with Surrey as your original firm choice

Santander Country Scholarships are not available for those starting undergraduate programmes on the basis of the following qualifications:

• A-levels*
• Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers*
• Irish Highers*
• International Baccalaureate*
• Cambridge Pre-U*
• BTEC QCF Extended Diploma*
• A foundation year
• An access course

*Students with these qualifications will automatically be considered for a Chancellor’s Scholarship. 
Santander Country Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, subject to satisfaction of the following requirements:

• At least the equivalent of A*AA at A-level if you are entering an undergraduate programme
• The equivalent of a UK first-class honours degree if you are entering a postgraduate taught programme
• Lack of any other scholarship, either from the University of Surrey, the NHS or from your home country
• Status as a self-funding student
• Willingness to act as an ambassador for the University in your home country, either on graduation or during vacations
• Contribution to diversity at the University in terms of nationality, subject of study and level of study

For advice on grade equivalences between qualifications, please email: international@surrey.ac.uk

Santander University Scholarships

These scholarships are worth €5,000 for the first year of postgraduate study. They are available to graduates of a university that is a member of the Santander Universities Network.
To see if your university is a member of the Santander Universities Network, please visit the Santander Universities Network website.
Scholarships will take the form of fee waivers.
To be eligible for this scholarship you must hold an unconditional offer to enter a taught postgraduate programme.
Santander University Scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis, subject to satisfaction of the following requirements:

• The equivalent of a UK first-class honours degree from a Santander-supported university
• Lack of any other scholarship, either from the University of Surrey, the NHS or from your home country
• Status as a self-funding student
• Willingness to act as an ambassador for the University in your home country, either on graduation or during vacations
• Contribution to diversity at the University in terms of nationality, subject of study and level of study

For advice on grade equivalences between qualifications, please email: international@surrey.ac.uk

How to apply

Applications for all three types of scholarship can be made via the same online application form. We can only accept online applications.
The deadline for applications is 1st August preceding the start of your programme in September/October.
You will be informed of the result of your application, by email, within one month of the 1st August deadline.

Tullow Oil Scholarship Scheme

The University of Surrey is delighted to announce it has recently been selected to participate in the Tullow Oil Scholarship Scheme.

If you are a prospective Masters student from one of the following countries, you may be eligible to apply for this scholarship:

• Cote D’Ivoire
• Ethiopia
• French Guinea
• Gabon
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Mauritania
• Uganda

For full details on eligibility and how to apply please visit the Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme website.

Discounts for Surrey graduates

If you are a self-funded UK, EU or international student who has studied for an undergraduate degree at the University of Surrey campus in Guildford, you will be eligible for a 10% discount on our taught postgraduate Masters programme fees, with effect from September 2013. This scheme is for applicable to 2013 Postgraduate Taught entry students.  This scheme will be reviewed annually.

Students graduating in 2012/13 are eligible, as well as alumni from previous years, on receipt of evidence of the award from Surrey and where we can identify that you actually studied in Guildford. Students from SII DUFE are eligible for this scheme.

Associated Institution students are not eligible. Not available to modular self-pacing students. This scheme will be reviewed annually.

If you have any enquiries regarding this matter please contact the Student and Fees and Funding office feesandfunding@surrey.ac.uk