fee status for UK universities

We are planning to relocate from the UK to Hong Kong with our family, and intending, if all goes well, to remain in the Territory for about ten years. We're thinking ahead to the time when our children will reach university age in 7-10 years' time. We'd be very interested to know if any UK expats have succeeded in qualifying for the 'home student' fee at a British University - for example by continuing to pay council tax on a UK property and/or arguing that your absence from the UK is only temporary?


Thanks in advance.

Really, it appears to be pot luck and sheer hard work. Although we had no joy with our daughter, a handful of our friends did manage it. Sorry I can't be more helpful. The people in question did have properties in the UK, but others with the same criteria failed!


Good luck.

Thanks blue iris. Sorry it didn't work out with your daughter, but it's interesting that it is possible in theory. It sounds as if it's pure luck of the draw...

We have been in HK nearly 13 years, my daughter is in her last year at Uni. We got 'home status' for her, as has everyone we've known who've applied. Basically you need to fill in a questionnaire and each university makes their own decision. We did have property in the UK, (although we never paid council tax, it was rented out). It definitely helps to still have property there. We also got a supporting letter from my husbands company, to say that they pay relocation fees when (if) we go back, my husband is also on contract which helps to show that the move is 'temporary'. But our friend did it the year before. and he's on permanent employment here and they got it. I also know one Eurasian person that although born in the UK with one English parent has never lived there, but got home status at 2 of the uni's he applied for.

So keep your property, rent it out, try and get letters from companys implying that you will eventually move back to the UK.

Dear cd, this is really useful information - many thanks!