Refund policy

A student sitting at a table using a laptop

This refund policy is for international students up to the point of enrolment. For more information on the University’s refund policy for enrolled students, please see the institutional ‘Charging Policy’.  

The University of Chester (also referred to as “the University”) makes every effort to ensure that the information provided to applicants about courses of study at the University of Chester is complete and correct.  However, in some circumstances it may be necessary to make reasonable changes to courses, modules, services or facilities. Where material changes are required, the University will take reasonable steps to notify affected applicants as soon as practicable.    

An offer of a place at the University is made subject to the University Student Enrolment Conditions. These conditions form part of the contract between the University and its students for a course of study or programme of research. They set out the respective rights and obligations of students and the University and include limitations on the University's liability in certain circumstances. 

International Deposit

Applicants who are subject to the overseas fee status are required to pay a tuition fee deposit to enrol at the University of Chester. Applicants who require a Student visa must pay this deposit before the Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) is released. Alternatively, applicants receiving UKVI-recognised sponsorship or governmental loans can use confirmation in lieu of a deposit payment. 

Refund Exclusions

Deposit payments will NOT be refunded in the following circumstances:

  1. When the Student visa application has been successful, and the University has reasonable evidence that the applicant has travelled to the UK, including claims for asylum.
  2. Where the applicant has submitted, relied upon, or knowingly benefited from fraudulent documentation or fraudulent information during the application, CAS request or visa application process. This includes, but is not limited to, fraudulent English or academic documents, and falsified bank statements.
  3. Where an applicant submits different or expired financial documents to Home Office than those checked and approved by the University.
  4. Where the Student visa application is refused due to breaching the conditions of previously granted UK visas.
  5. Where the applicant did not disclose a previous visa refusal during the admissions process.
  6. Where the Student visa is refused due to the applicant being subject to a UK re-entry ban.
  7. Where the Student visa application is refused due to a failure to disclose a previous criminal conviction or failure to disclose any other information which has led to visa refusal.
  8. Where a Student visa is granted but an applicant is refused entry upon arrival in the UK (e.g., where English Language proficiency or Genuine Intention to Study is reassessed at the UK border).
  9. Where an applicant is issued a CAS by the University, but the applicant fails to complete enrolment tasks or communicate with the University within published deadlines.
  10. When an applicant’s CAS is withdrawn due to failure to meet the Academic Engagement policy.  

If any of the above circumstances apply, a refund will not be granted, and the University of Chester will retain the full tuition fee deposit.

Refund Eligibility

The University will consider all requests for a refund of deposit payments on a case-by-case basis in accordance with this Policy and the applicant’s individual circumstances. Any refund post CAS issuance will be subject to a £250 non-refundable administration fee representing the reasonable costs incurred by the University in processing the application.

Refunds will only be issued to the original payment method. 

Deposit payment refunds will only be issued in the following instances:

  1. Where an applicant requests to withdraw from University admission before being issued with a CAS, or;
  2. Where an applicant requests to withdraw from University admission before submitting their Student visa application to the UKVI, or;
  3. Where an applicant has applied for a Student visa which has been granted and the University has reasonable evidence that the applicant has not travelled to the UK, or;
  4. Where an applicant has applied for a Student visa which has subsequently been refused by the Home Office, and;
  5. The applicant has provided the University with copies of documents received from the Home Office within one week and;
  6. The applicant has followed instructions from the University in relation to the visa application and; 
  7. The applicant has followed instructions from the University in relation to the submission of an Administrative Review of their visa refusal. 

Where the University determines, acting reasonably and in accordance with this Policy, that the applicant does not meet the refund criteria, the deposit will not be refunded. 

Exceptional Circumstances 

The University recognises that exceptional circumstances may arise which are not specifically addressed by this Policy. In such cases, the University may consider supporting evidence and exercise reasonable discretion to determine whether a refund is appropriate. 

FAQs

These points are covered in the above Refund Policy but are highlighted here for emphasis.

  • Part of the deposit is a £250 administration fee. This £250 is retained by the University, and is not refunded except in cases where the applicant was not issued a CAS and the University is satisfied that their application and associated documents were genuine. 
  • Applicants who receive a visa refusal must provide a copy of their refusal letter to applyinternational@chester.ac.uk within one week of receiving notification of refusal, or their deposit will not be refunded. 
  • https://www.gov.uk/ask-for-a-visa-administrative-review Where applicable, applicants whose Student visa application has been refused will only be considered for a deposit refund where they have submitted an in-time application for an Administrative Review of that refusal and provided evidence of this to the University. 
  • Applicants who are granted a student visa and who travel to the UK will not be eligible for a deposit refund. 
  • Where an applicant is unable to physically travel to the UK for reasons outside of their control, for example due to travel restrictions, they must notify the University promptly. As part of any refund request, the applicant should provide supporting evidence of the circumstances and evidence that they are not currently in the UK.