The University is to make a repayment to international students who have continued their studies at Sussex in 2012-13 and has apologised for not giving consistent information about future fee increases when they originally applied.

Fees for 2012-13 were set by Council (the University’s governing body) and published in November 2011. A number of continuing overseas students have said that the level of the increase (which was around 11-12.5%) is at odds with some of the information given to them by Sussex while they were applying.

In an email to those international students who have been at Sussex since 2011 or earlier, the Director of Finance, Allan Spencer, said: “We say in our online information for students that we reserve the right to increase fees and to do so without notice.

“The fees we have set for 2012-13 are part of a systematic move towards fee levels that match our standing as an international institution and the quality of the education and services we provide.

“However, we recognise that, during the process of their application and admission, some international students starting a programme of study at Sussex in 2011 or earlier received inconsistent information on future changes in fee level for that programme. In particular, information we sent out to some students said that future increases in fees would be broadly in line with inflation.

“Not providing clear and consistent information was a mistake. We are sorry for the confusion and for any current financial problems caused as a result.

“As a gesture of good faith, therefore, we have looked again at the charge we are making to our continuing international students for 2012-13. We have now decided to limit the increase for 2012-13 to 5% above the 2011-12 fee level.”

This increase is the same as the 5% increase in home/EU postgraduate fees for 2012-13 – and reflects the general increase in costs faced by the University.

In December, each continuing international student will be sent details of their personal position and then, if appropriate, will receive a repayment in January.

The annual fees for overseas students include registration, tuition and examination fees. Most students pay fees in three instalments over the year, with the second payment due in January.

The repayment being made does not apply to new international students who are in their first year of study at Sussex, as they accepted entry on the basis of the published fee.

The University has already reviewed the information given to international students during the application process, to ensure that it is clear, timely and consistent. Students already enrolled at Sussex and due to continue their studies at the University next year will also be informed directly about fee levels for 2013-14 in the new year.

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