Take time to ensure your finances are in place before you leave your home country. If you have insufficient money it is almost impossible to find financial help in the UK, and sometimes students have to give up their course and return home because they have run out of money. Be prepared for changes in the rate of inflation and the exchange rate, which can seriously alter your financial position.
For information about tuition fees see Fees and finance.
The tuition fee you are charged will depend on whether you are classified as 'home/EU' or 'overseas'. The rules on how you are classified are strictly defined by the British Government. In general:
Applicants with British or other EU nationality should be aware that such nationality does not guarantee that you will be classed as a 'home' student -- you must also satisfy various residence requirements.
If your fee status classification is unclear, we will send you a questionnaire to complete, so that your status can be determined by the University. The rules surrounding fee status classification are complicated and if you are in doubt, refer to the UKCISA (UK Council forInternational Student Affairs) website.
Prior to your arrival (from 1 September) you can pay your fees, accommodation charges or set up a recognised university payment plan on Sussex Direct. You can also telephone +44 0800 0194979 during office hours. If you are calling from overseas and have difficulty telephoning during our opening hours (10am-1pm and 2-4pm) you can fax our student accounts team on +44 (0)1273 877367 to make payment or set up a payment option plan. Please include your email address. If it is possible to pay your fees before you arrive then you are encouraged to do so, as this is safer and easier for you and also allows you to complete your registration more quickly.
You can usually pay in instalments if your tuition fee due is £300 or above and you are self financing (ie the fee is being paid by you or a member of your family). However, the University reserves the right not to offer payment by instalments.
Termly instalments can be paid by credit or debit card. Fees can be paid in three termly instalments if you are here for the full academic year, or two termly instalments if you are here for two terms only. Further detailed financial information will be posted on the Finance website at a later date. If you use this website, please ensure you refer to the correct academic year for accurate information.
In addition to your tuition fees you should ensure that you have adequate funds to cover your living expenses while you study at Sussex. It is expected that for your living expenses for the year 2011/12 you should budget for between £840 and £1,010 each month. The cost of insurance, telephone calls and travel home may be more expensive for international students. A breakdown of how your living expenses might be allocated on a monthly basis is given below. Please note that these figures are an estimate only and you may require more or less depending on your lifestyle. Also, if you are planning to bring dependants, you will need significant additional funds.
| Rent*: Campus (single room including bills) Private sector (single room including bills estimate) | £350 - £520 £370 - £420 |
| Mobile phone: Contracts Minimum top-up | £25 £10 |
| Food/housekeeping | £180 |
| Local travel | £40 |
| Insurance (personal) | £5 |
| Books/stationery | £40 |
| Clothing | £40 |
| Socialising/leisure | £100 |
| Miscellaneous (healthcare, etc) | £50 |
| Total | £840 - £1,010 |
* In the 2011/12 academic year it is estimated that rent in shared private-sector accommodation will average around £85 - £95 per week, although this does not include utility charges. Utility bills and internet access are included in the rent in all University-managed accommodation on campus; utility charges may be payable in some University managed accommodation off campus
According to research by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), student finance is the number one concern for international students. Almost a quarter of students surveyed (23%) said they didn't have enough money to live on. Of those who had experienced hardship, 72% said they underestimated the cost of living.
To help you plan a budget before coming to the UK, the following online tools will enable you to manage your finances better.
The International Student Calculator has been developed by UKCISA and UNIAID (an independent charity which helps students cope with finance). It will enable you to:
Grants and scholarships are available from the University of Sussex and other organisations in the UK or overseas. Awards are usually competitive and made on the basis of academic merit. For most awards, you will need to apply well in advance of the date that you wish to commence your degree programme. For overseas fee-paying undergraduate and taught postgraduate degree applicants, Sussex offers up to 40 Chancellor's International Scholarships per year. Further details on this and other Scholarships.
You should note that the majority of scholarships are for postgraduate study, and further information about sources of finance for postgraduate students is available in the Postgraduate Prospectus.
You should also contact the local British Council or the education department of your own government for information on financial aid.
Detailed information on opening a bank account in the UK.