British and Irish Citizens
Usually home students if they have lived in the UK for the three years before the course. Irish citizens are treated as home students under the Common Travel Area arrangements.
Domestic Student Advisory
Home Fee Status and University Applications Citizens, Settled Status, ILR and Refugees
We work only with UK home students, so we know this group's admissions questions thoroughly. If you are a British or Irish citizen, or you have settled status, pre-settled status, indefinite leave to remain or refugee status, we help you apply to university with the right documents, first time.
- UK home students only
- Settled and pre-settled status
- ILR and refugee status
- Free to students
The Basics
What Being a "Home Student" Means
Universities in England place every applicant in a fee status category: home or international. The category depends on your immigration status and on where you have lived, not simply on your nationality.
Who decides
Each university decides your fee status itself, using rules set by the government. That is why two universities can ask you slightly different questions. We cannot decide your status for you, but we can explain what admissions teams usually look at, and help you answer their questions clearly.
The general rule
In most cases a home student has settled status or another qualifying immigration status, and has been ordinarily resident in the UK for the three years before the course starts. There are important exceptions, and some categories have their own conditions.
Refugees and humanitarian protection
People with refugee status or humanitarian protection, and some of their family members, generally do not have to meet the usual three-year residence requirement. What matters is having lived in the UK since the status was granted.
Pre-settled status
Pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme can lead to home student status, but it depends on how long, and where, you have lived. These cases are the ones most worth checking carefully before you apply.
Good to know If your situation is not straightforward, we will say so early, and point you to the university, or to a regulated adviser, for a definite answer.
Who We Advise
Who We Work With
These are the groups we advise. If you are not sure where you fit, tell us your situation at the first conversation.
Settled and Pre-Settled Status
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and family members with status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Settled status is usually straightforward; pre-settled status has extra conditions.
Indefinite Leave to Remain
ILR is a settled status. Holders are usually home students once they meet the three-year residence requirement.
Refugee Status and Protection
Refugees and people with humanitarian protection generally qualify without the usual three-year residence period.
Documents
What Universities Ask For, and Where Our Help Stops
Having the right evidence ready is what keeps a home student application moving.
Documents Universities Usually Ask For
- A valid passport or national identity card
- A share code from the GOV.UK "View and prove your immigration status" service, if you have an eVisa
- Your Home Office decision letter, for refugee status or humanitarian protection
- Evidence of where you have lived for the past three years, if asked
- Certificates for the qualifications in your application
What We Do Not Do
- Give immigration advice or help with immigration applications
- Decide your fee status. Each university does that
- Guarantee that you will be classed as a home student
- Advise international students or handle student visas
Immigration advice is regulated
In the UK, only advisers regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority, solicitors and certain other authorised professionals can give immigration advice. We explain what university admissions usually ask for. If you need advice about your immigration status itself, we will tell you, and suggest you speak to a regulated adviser.
Last reviewed: October 2026
How We Help
How We Help Home Students Apply
One advisor, from your first conversation to enrolment.
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Understand your situation
We ask about your status and where you have lived, so we can tell you what universities are likely to ask.
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Shortlist suitable courses
We match courses and campuses to your background, location and the hours you have available.
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Prepare your documents
We help you gather ID, your share code or decision letter, residence evidence and certificates.
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Answer fee status questions clearly
If a university sends a fee status questionnaire, we help you understand what it is asking.
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Support through to enrolment
We stay with you through offers and enrolment, and into your first week.
Related Guidance
Next Steps
University Applications
UCAS or direct, your reference and the personal statement.
Application guidanceFoundation Year Degrees
A route in if your qualifications are not from the UK system or not at Level 3.
Foundation year guideMature Learner Pathways
How universities weigh work experience when you apply at 21 or over.
Mature student guideOne-to-One Consultations
What happens at a free consultation, and what to bring.
Book a consultationHome Student Questions
What residents ask us most about applying as a home student.
It means a university has assessed you as eligible for the home rate of tuition fees rather than the international rate. Each university decides this using government rules, usually based on your nationality or immigration status and where you have lived for the three years before your course starts.
Many do if you have settled status, pre-settled status or another status held as an eVisa. You can get a share code from GOV.UK's "View and prove your immigration status" service and give it to the university with your date of birth. We tell you what each university on your shortlist asks for.
The university you apply to. Each one assesses fee status using rules set by the government, and may send you a fee status questionnaire. We help you understand what it is asking and what evidence to send.
Usually, yes, if you have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the three years before your course starts. Indefinite leave to remain is a settled status. The university will confirm it during admissions.
Often, yes, but it depends on how long and where you have lived. Pre-settled status cases are the ones most worth checking carefully. Tell us your situation and we will explain what the university is likely to ask.
Generally not. People with refugee status or humanitarian protection usually qualify as home students without the standard three-year residence requirement, provided they have lived in the UK since the status was granted.
The Home Office has replaced most physical immigration documents, including biometric residence permits, with eVisas. Universities usually ask for a share code from the GOV.UK "View and prove your immigration status" service instead.
Often, yes. Universities compare overseas qualifications with UK levels, and some may ask for an English language qualification. If your qualifications do not meet the level for Year 1, a foundation year can be a good route in.
No. Immigration advice in the UK is regulated, and we are not authorised to give it. We help with university applications. For questions about your immigration status, speak to an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority, or a solicitor.
No. We work only with UK home students, and we do not handle student visa applications.
Apply as a Home Student, With the Right Documents
Tell us your situation and we will explain what universities are likely to ask for, and help you get it ready.
Prefer to call? 0752 0653 470