Fixed Price Currency Initiative
Open to new International Undergraduate students, planning to pay fees in one of the currencies outlined below, the Queen’s University Belfast Fixed Price Currency Initiative offers you a fixed price in a local currency* for tuition fees and accommodation costs for the academic year 2024-25.
If you are planning to pay tuition and accommodation fees in any of the following currencies, this initiative provides a level of mitigation against currency fluctuations:
- Canadian Dollar
- Chinese Renminbi
- Malaysian Ringgit
- United States Dollar
- Indian Rupee
We understand that choosing to study internationally is a big financial commitment, and that you may be worried about the exchange rate moving to your disadvantage throughout the academic year. With our Fixed Price Currency Initiative, you will know from the start of the academic year exactly how much you will pay in your local currency.
*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Please read the FAQs and Terms and Conditions outlined below, for full details.
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What is the Fixed Price Currency Initiative?
If you are planning to pay tuition and accommodation fees in one of the following currencies:
- Canadian Dollar
- Chinese Renminbi
- Malaysian Ringgit
- United States Dollar
- Indian Rupee
we will offer you a fixed price in one of the given currencies for the academic year 2024-25.
As an international student paying in a currency that is not GBP Sterling, we understand that you may be worried about the exchange rate moving to your disadvantage throughout the academic year, which may impact the total fees payable. This initiative provides a level of mitigation against currency fluctuations. You will know from the start of the academic year exactly how much you will pay in your local currency.
- I am an international student commencing my studies at Queen’s in September 2024. Am I eligible to avail of the Fixed Price Currency Initiative?
You are eligible if you are commencing an undergraduate programme (except Medicine and Dentistry) in the academic year 2024-25 and are planning to pay your fees in one of the following currencies:
- Canadian Dollar
- Chinese Renminbi
- Malaysian Ringgit
- United States Dollar
- Indian Rupee
- Does eligibility depend on currency in the country of residence?
An eligible student can ‘opt in’ to pay in any one of the given currencies, regardless of the student’s country of residence.
- If I avail of the Early Confirmation Award (ECA) for tuition fees, can I also avail of the offer?
No, if you avail of the Early Confirmation Award (ECA), you will not be eligible for the offer for your tuition fees, but you can choose to avail of it for your accommodation fees in the 2024-25 academic year. Please note that this programme is a pilot for the academic year 2024-25. If the University continues to offer this in subsequent years, students will have the option to opt in or out on an annual basis.
- If I choose the Fixed Price Currency Initiative, will I be locked into that rate for the full duration of my undergraduate programme?
This programme is a pilot for the academic year 2024-25 so any student who ‘Opts In’ will only be doing so for the academic year 2024-25. If the University continues to offer this in subsequent years, students may have the option to opt in or out on an annual basis, before they complete the Enrolment & Registration process at the start of the new academic year.
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I would like to avail of this offer – how do I do this?
Step 1: All eligible new undergraduate students will receive an email at the end of August 2024. This email will include an indicative Exchange Rate which could be applied to the tuition fees and accommodation fees for the 2024-25 academic year. Students will be asked at that point if they wish to opt into the offer.
It should be noted that once you ‘opt in’, you cannot then ‘opt out’ and must pay all chosen fees (e.g. tuition & accommodation fees) for the academic year 2024-25 in the chosen currency.
For those students who opt in, they will subsequently receive a communication with a confirmed Exchange Rate based on a defined calendar date on which the exchange rate will be fixed. Please note that the confirmed rate may be different to the indicative rate due to timing.
Step 2: Students will be directed to a portal in order to make the minimum 25% payment for tuition and accommodation fees (in the relevant eligible currency) required for enrolment and will then follow the Term Payment Plan dates for the remaining 75% (of which 25% will fall due on 1 Oct / 1 Dec / 1 Feb respectively).
- If I opt in, do I have to pay all subsequent instalments in that currency or can I pay some in GBP if the exchange rate is more favourable?
Once you have opted in, you must pay all fees for the academic year 2024-25 in the chosen currency and within the given time period.
- Can I opt in with an indicative rate then opt out if the final rate Is different, or if I change my mind?
No, by ‘opting in’ at this stage, you are committed to the Fixed Price Currency Initiative, and it will not be possible to ‘opt out’. When you receive your indicative rate, in order to make an informed decision, we would advise that you check all available rates locally. This initiative is intended to provide risk mitigation - we are assisting you in managing how much you have to pay in your local currency for the full balance of tuition fees payable. Once you ‘opt in’, you cannot then ‘opt out’ and must pay all chosen fees (e.g. tuition and accommodation fees) for the academic year 2024-25 in the chosen currency.
- How is my fee calculated?
If you have been awarded a partial scholarship, we will consider your tuition fees excluding the amount of any scholarships. If you have booked university accommodation, we will add the cost of your accommodation. We will then calculate total fees payable, considering both tuition and accommodation fees.
Payment will be based on GBP net fee, using the Exchange Rate communicated by Student Finance in September 2024.
- Am I required to pay in my chosen currency?
Yes, if you opt in for the Fixed Price Currency Initiative, you must pay in your chosen currency, provided it is one of the following currencies:
- Canadian Dollar
- Chinese Renminbi
- Malaysian Ringgit
- United States Dollar
- Indian Rupee
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Does the Fixed Price Currency Initiative apply to both tuition fees and accommodation fees?
Yes, if you are availing of the Fixed Price Currency Initiative, you must pay both tuition fees and Queen’s Accommodation fees in your chosen currency.
If you have booked external (non-Queen’s) accommodation, the Fixed Price Currency Initiative will apply only to your tuition fees. The Fixed Price Currency Initiative offer does not apply to non-Queen’s accommodation.
In summary, if you wish to avail of the Fixed Price Currency Initiative, you can select one of the following three options :
Option 1: Tuition Fees & Queen’s Accommodation
Option 2: Tuition Fees only – permitted exclusively if booking non-Queen's accommodation
Option 3: Accommodation Fees only - permitted exclusively if fees have been paid in full to avail of the Early Confirmation AwardClick here to see example fees and indicative rates for each option.
ELIGIBILITY
- You are a new international student, paying an international tuition fee rate, commencing a full-time undergraduate academic programme (except Medicine and Dentistry) in September 2024 at Queen’s University Belfast.
- You are planning to pay your tuition and accommodation fees in one of the following currencies: Canadian Dollar, Chinese Renminbi, Malaysian Ringgit, United States Dollar, Indian Rupee.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Students must hold an offer of a full-time place on an undergraduate programme (except Medicine and Dentistry) at the Queen’s University Belfast campus commencing in the academic year 2024-25.
- The offer must be confirmed as the applicant’s FIRM choice by their UCAS deadline or Accept for UG Direct students.
- Students must be self-funded or funding their studies through a student loan.
- Distance Learning programmes, foundation degree programmes and non-standard fee courses, including part-time programmes are also excluded from eligibility.
- Students must be classified as international fee-paying students paying the full international tuition and/or accommodation fees in one of the following currencies: Canadian Dollar, Chinese Renminbi, Malaysian Ringgit, United States Dollar, Indian Rupee, to be considered for the offer.
- If you are in receipt of funding (either tuition fees or tuition fees and living costs) from an external sponsorship body such as Government, a charity or a private organisation you will not be eligible for this offer.
- Students are required to pay their tuition and/or accommodation fees in line with the approved 2024-25 payment plans.
- The payment plan dates are: 25% at enrolment, 25% on 1 October 2024, 25% on 1 December 2024 and 25% on 1 February 2025.
- Payment can only be made via by bank transfer, through an approved currency portal. A link to the portal will be provided following opt in.
- Failure to meet the required payment plan deadlines may result in your fixed price being rescinded for the outstanding payments.
- If you wish to defer your entry to the University until 2025-26, the Fixed Price Currency Initiative will not apply.
- If you withdraw from your programme of study, you will be eligible to pay any outstanding fees, calculated based on the period of your enrolment, at the fixed price rate. Please refer to section 5.2.1 of the Student Finance Framework.
- If you leave your Queen’s Accommodation, you will be eligible to pay any outstanding fees, calculated based on the period of your tenancy, at the fixed price rate.
- If you wish to change your programme of study, or your Queen’s Accommodation option, after you have opted in, and there is an increased fee implication, please contact triplelock@qub.ac.uk
- If you opt-in to the Fixed Price Currency Initiative, any fees due to be settled must be settled at the fixed price rate.
- If you have fully paid your tuition fees to avail of the Early Confirmation Award, you can avail of the initiative but for Queen’s Accommodation Fees only.
- If you have partially paid your tuition fees, you will not be eligible for the Fixed Price Currency Initiative.
- If you have partially or fully paid your Queen's accommodation fees (excluding your £300 deposit), you will not be eligible for the Fixed Price Currency Initiative.
- The Fixed Price Currency Initiative is limited exclusively to 2024-25 academic year.
- The Fixed Price Currency Initiative strictly applies to the following three options:
Option 1: Tuition Fees and Queen’s Accommodation
Option 2: Tuition Fees only – permitted exclusively if booking non-Queen's accommodation
Option 3: Accommodation Fees only - permitted exclusively if fees have been paid in full to avail of the Early Confirmation Award - The Fixed Price Currency Initiative does not apply to non-Queen’s accommodation.
- The University’s decision regarding eligibility for the programme is final, and no further correspondence shall be entered into.
- The University reserves the right to vary any future Fixed Price Currency Initiative at its sole discretion.
CONTACT US
If you have a question about our Fixed Price Currency Initiative, please email triplelock@qub.ac.uk and a member of the team will answer your query.