Finance

Students are renowned for having to watch their finances! You may have a lot of financial questions from banking to student loans.

Tuition fees

Tuition fee information and rates for 2012/13 can be found on the Tuition Fees page on the University.

Scottish/EU students should apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland to cover the cost of tuition fees. Scottish students can also apply for loans for living expenses. Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland should apply to Student Finance Direct for advice about the financial support available for their studies.

Students from England www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/
Students from Wales www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
Students from Northern Ireland www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

If you have applied to the Students’ Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), Student Finance Direct or another sponsor to pay your tuition fees for you, when completing eRegistration please state this in the box provided in the Fees section of the eRegistration portal and submit a hard copy of the letter when you get it. If you are liable to pay all or part of your own tuition fees, you can pay them as follows: (i) through the Fees section of the eRegistration portal, (ii) online at the Univeristy internet payment page or, for fees of £250 or more, (iii) you can make an initial payment of at least 50% and print out a University recognised payment plan which you should bring with you to Registration.

For information on how to make payments to the University for your tuition fees, please visit the Student page on the Finance website. The quickest, and easiest, method of payment is to pay online and will save you from queuing!

Banking

You are advised to open a bank account as soon as possible after your arrival and registration. Do not carry large amounts of cash around with you.

To open a bank account you will need:

• Your passport,
• Unconditional letter of acceptance
• Accommodation contract (proof of Aberdeen address)
• Visa (if applicable).

For non-UK students, banks will require a letter from the University to confirm your address and student registration. A bank letter will be sent by email to your university email account the day after you have completed e-registration, met with your adviser of studies (or Programme Coordinator (or equivalent)) to register for courses and have both a term and home address showing in your Student Portal.

Only once all these steps have been completed will a letter be emailed to you.  This letter should be printed and taken to the bank. 

Support

If you need additional support or help with managing your money, the Students' Association, in Butchart Centre, and the Student Advice and Support Office in the Hub can offer impartial, confidential advice on these matters.

Managing your money

Coming to University might be, for some, the first time you will have to budget for yourselves properly but it is also the best time to learn to do so! Below are some helpful hints on how to make your money go that much further.

• Check if any grants and bursaries are available to you via your School Office and the University funding database.
• Sign up with the bank which offers the best long-term benefits.
• Some students seek part-time employment but it is recommended that you work no more than 15 hours per week so to not disrupt your studies!
• Make the most of any student discounts.
• Get to know how to use the library at the earliest opportunity and try to buy essential books and equipment second-hand (visit BOOKENDS, in the Butchart Centre, for second-hand text books)
• Keep an eye open for the best mobile phone package.
• Shop in local markets and charity shops
• Be careful with heating and lighting. Switch them off when you leave the room. It saves you money and is environmentally good practice.
• Try and buy in bulk if living with others in a student house.
• Align your student accommodation payments with your student loan payments i.e. if you receive your loan termly, arrange a termly payment plan.
• Open a second bank account to keep money for rent and bills separate from your daily spending money.
• Walk or cycle during the day rather than take public transport.
• Check to see if your belongings can be covered by your family insurance.
• Try drawing up a weekly budget and sticking to it.

If you want to get some money advice head to the AUSA Student Advice Centre in the Butchart centre or telephone 01224 274200. You can also email them directly on ausaadvice@abdn.ac.uk