International Applicants: Deposit Refunds
Below are all the details of our refund process, including instructions on how to apply for a refund.
If you have any questions about the refund process, please email international@northampton.ac.uk.
Please note that refunds can only be made to the original payee.
If an applicant has paid a deposit, and has not been issued a confirmation of acceptance of studies (CAS):
If a CAS has not been issued, then a deposit will be refunded when there is a change of circumstance as outlined under the Terms and Conditions (see ‘Terms and Conditions’ below).
Alternatively, applicants are eligible for a deposit refund minus a non-refundable amount of £1,000 under one of the following circumstances:
- The applicant decides not to accept the conditional or unconditional offer after paying the deposit.
- The applicant has not provided all offer documentation required to meet all requirements of the offer (for example, qualification certificates or a UKVI Student Route eligibility check).
A refund will not be issued where an applicant is ineligible for a refund as outlined under the ‘Terms and Conditions’ (see ‘Terms and Conditions’).
If an applicant has paid a deposit, and has been issued a confirmation of acceptance of studies (CAS):
Once a CAS has been issued a deposit will not be refunded, unless there is a change of circumstance as outlined under the Terms and Conditions (see ‘Terms and Conditions’).
Any tuition fees paid in excess of the deposit will be refunded.
Fraudulent Payments
If the University is informed of, or suspects fraudulent payment activity, it will take appropriate action in accordance with the Anti-Money Laundering Policy.
The University will assess each case individually. In circumstances of payment fraud, be it wittingly, or unwittingly, the University reserves the right to deny a refund request. In such cases, the University will comply with the prevailing statutory legislations applicable.
How to apply for a refund before you have enrolled on your programme of study:
You will need to complete a refund request using this electronic form.
You will need to include a fee deposit receipt as part of the request. If you have received a visa refusal, please also upload your UKVI visa refusal letter and (if applicable) UKVI administrative review letter.
If you have travelled to the UK but not enrolled, please also upload proof of return to your home country (for example, a boarding pass and return stamp in your passport).
If you apply for a refund after you have enrolled on your programme of study:
If you enrol on your programme of study and need to withdraw then this process does not apply. The Withdrawal Policy will be applied. Students contemplating withdrawal are recommended to discuss any fee implications with the Income Department first, or International Student Support. Students who fail to do so may unwittingly become liable to additional fees and charges.
You will need to complete a refund request using this electronic form.
You will need to include a fee deposit receipt as part of the request. Please also upload a copy of your withdrawal request form and proof of return to your home country (for example, a boarding pass and return stamp in your passport).
If you require any assistance, please contact international@northampton.ac.uk.
Terms and conditions
You will be required to pay a minimum deposit to study at UON. The deposit amount is reviewed annually, and you will be advised of the amount at the application stage.
When is an applicant eligible for a full refund?
- When there is a change of circumstance under section 12 of the Tuition Fee Policy (as listed below) full refunds will be issued to the original payee only:
- Where no offer has been made by the University after an applicant has paid a deposit.
- An applicant does not meet the academic conditions included in the conditional offer made by the University.
- The University retracts the applicant’s offer for any reason, with the exception of a retraction due to a fraudulent, non-genuine or negligent application on the part of the student or agent.
- An applicant’s visa is refused, with the exception of a refusal due to a fraudulent non-genuine or negligent application on the part of the student or agent.
- An applicant pays a tuition fee deposit but later their fee status is assessed as ‘home’ during applicant stage.
- An applicant fails the University’s pre-sessional course and cannot progress to their main course of study.
- An applicant is unable to travel due to exceptional circumstances such as a pandemic (such as COVID-19) or related events. However, where an applicant registers fully on the course and undertakes remote or alternative forms of learning, where this may be permitted, the deposit will not be refunded.
When is an applicant not eligible for a refund?
- An applicant fails to complete the University enrolment process (online registration and official identification check).
- An applicant’s visa is refused due to a fraudulent, non-genuine or negligent application on the part of the applicant or agent.
- An applicant fails to evidence the requirements when there is a change of circumstances (for example, UKVI visa refusal letter).
- An applicant is issued with a CAS, fails to enrol, is known to have travelled to the UK and is unable to satisfactorily evidence return to their home country.
- The University withdraws the CAS and/or application due to fraudulent, non-genuine or negligent activity on the part of the applicant/student or agent.
- The University considers the application not to be the application of a genuine student.
- If an applicant has deferred to a later start date and then decides to withdraw (subject to the circumstances listed above).
- Where an applicant is proven to have breached the Admissions Policy.
Where a refund is requested in another circumstance not captured in these Terms and Conditions, a decision will be made by the Head of International Recruitment and Admissions and/or the Director of Finance or their nominee. No further correspondence will be entered into.
How long does it take to process a refund request?
Please note it takes eight weeks to process refund requests from the date an accurate request form is submitted along with all the required documentation. Please follow the instructions on the form carefully to avoid any further delays.
Refunds are processed by our Finance team and can only be issued to the account from which the deposit payment was made (for example, if a family member paid a deposit on your behalf from their bank account on your behalf, the refund will be issued to your family member’s bank account).