Student debt policy

If you are in difficulty over payment of fees or other charges to the University shown on your Student Account in MyCampus, you should log this as an issue in the Helpdesk.

Support and advice is also available from the SRC Advice Centre. Your MyCampus record will show you details of any outstanding payments you have on your Student Account, and what these are for – tuition fees, accommodation fees or other charges.

If you think your record is wrong and you do not have a debt you should log this as an issue in the Helpdesk. Please quote your GUID/student number in any correspondence.

If you are having issues uploading your award letter, you believe your tuition fee is incorrect, you are having issues with the processing of a card payment or any direct debit related matters, you should log this as an issue in the Helpdesk. Please quote your GUID/student number in any correspondence.

What does it mean if I have debt? **

Registration

You may not be permitted to register for the next year of study until all tuition fee debts, are cleared.

Examination results

Examination results will not be published on MyCampus if you have a tuition or examination fee debt.

Graduation/certification of awards and transcripts

You will not be able to graduate or receive a certificate, transcript or official letter to verify your award whilst you have an outstanding tuition fee debt. To graduate, final year students must make full settlement of tuition fees due to the University (and funds must have cleared) to enable them to enrol online for graduation during the designated enrolment period for their graduation ceremony.

Students due to receive a certificate or who have requested a transcript or official letter to verify their award must make full settlement of tuition fees due to the University (and funds must have cleared) before a certificate transcript or official letter can be issued.

** Calendar extract:

13 PAYMENT OF MONIES DUE TO THE UNIVERSITY

13.1 In accepting an offer of a place of study and completing registration, a student accepts responsibility to pay all sums when due to the University. These sums include annual tuition fees, academic-related charges and accommodation fees in respect of University owned / leased student accommodation.

13.2 Where any sums remain unpaid at the time of registration the University will seek to consult with the student and endeavour, acting reasonably and taking into account the student’s reasonable representations, to make an arrangement with the student to repay the outstanding sums due within an agreed period.

13.3 Where the University is unable to make such an arrangement with the student or where, despite such an arrangement being made, the terms of the arrangement are materially or persistently breached, the University may employ other methods with a view to collecting the debt. These may include penalty payments, the use of commercial debt collectors and, in the case of accommodation debt, the termination of the student’s lease.

13.4 In relation to tuition fee debt, the University reserves the right ultimately to apply an academic sanction. An academic sanction could involve refusing to allow the student: to register as a student of the University; to progress to the next level of study; and/or to receive any degree, diploma or other qualification conferred by the University.

13.5 Academic sanctions will be applied only where alternative methods of seeking payment have been reasonably exhausted and where the University considers an academic sanction proportionate and reasonable following consideration of a student’s representations. The University will not seek to impose academic sanctions where:

i) An arrangement has been agreed with the University in respect of payment of the sum, unless that agreement has been materially or persistently breached; or
ii) the outstanding sum is subject to a dispute which is being pursued in good faith by the student.

13.6 Where students experience difficulty in making payments they can seek practical support and advice from the Student Financial Aid Team and independently from the Student Representative Council’s Advice Centre. Students should also contact the Student Collections Team to make them aware of any delay in payment.

How do I check if I have a debt?

Your MyCampus record will show you details of any outstanding payments you have on your Student Account and what these are for – tuition fees, accommodation fees or other charges.

If you think your record is wrong and you do not have a debt, you should contact the Student Credit Control Team at finance-student@glasgow.ac.uk. Please quote your GUID/student number in any correspondence.

Please note that details of overdue library fines or crisis/hardship loans are not shown on your Student Account and you should contact the library or Registry Financial Aid if you have queries about these debts.

Will I be allowed to register if I have not cleared all my debts before the start of the session?

All outstanding tuition fees must be paid before registration for the next year of study and, if in your final year of study before graduation. Exceptional circumstances will be reviewed by the collections supervisor.

Exceptional circumstances

In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to reregister where there is an outstanding tuition fee debt for which a repayment plan has been agreed with the University. A repayment plan may not be agreed if you have not acknowledged the debt or have defaulted in 2 repayment plans previously within the term. 

It is recommend you contact the SRC Advice Centre who can provide debt and budgeting advice and can assist with submitting sustainable repayment proposals to the University.

In some circumstances, the University may accept a repayment plan, but you may still be required to suspend your studies until the tuition fee debt is cleared. If you are in this situation, or if a sustainable repayment plan cannot be agreed with the University, it is recommended that you make contact with your Adviser of Studies to discuss your options with regards to continuing at University. The SRC Advice Centre can also provide advice on funding implications, sources of financial assistance etc.

Are there penalties for late payment?

A late payment penalty equal to 3% of any remaining balance (minimum charge £5) may be charged in circumstances where payments are not made by due dates. We will send you reminders by email to your University of Glasgow email address regarding any overdue balance on your account.

Other non-financial penalties may be incurred if you fail to pay your fees by the due dates.

All outstanding tuition fees must be paid before registration for the next year of study and, if in your final year of study before graduation. Exceptional circumstances will be reviewed by the collections supervisor.

For all other charges, where the University is unable to make an arrangement to repay the outstanding amounts within a reasonable agreed period or where there terms of the arrangement are materially or persistently breached, alternative methods may be employed which may include the use of commercial debt collectors and, in the case of accommodation debt, the termination of the student’s lease.

If a sponsor is paying all or part of your fees, an invoice will be sent directly to them. If your sponsor fails to pay the fees will automatically be transferred to your account with the University and you will be held liable for their payment in full. The University will contact you if we encounter problems recovering money from your sponsor.

Who should I contact if I am having difficulty paying outstanding fees or charges?

If you are in difficulty over payment of fees or other charges to the University shown on your Student Account in MyCampus, contact the Student Credit Control Team:

Support and advice are also available from the SRC Advice Centre.