The Free Fees Initiative
Under the terms of the Free Fees Initiative, first introduced in 1995, the Irish Exchequer will pay tuition fees to the University on behalf of students registered for the first time on qualifying, full-time, undergraduate degree programmes. Such programmes must be of a minimum duration of 2 years.
Part-time programmes are not covered under the Free Fees Initiative.
It is important that you read and clearly understand the qualification criteria that apply as well as the terms and limits of the Free Fees Initiative.
1. General
- All the criteria for eligibility must be met in full prior to commencing a programme. Once registered the student’s status cannot subsequently be changed.
Students who qualify for free fees under the Free Fees Initiative will receive funding for their tuition fees for the normal completion of their chosen programme.
- Students must understand that the application of free fees is limited and not open-ended.
- Tuition will be paid for the first attempt at a module only.
- Repeat fees are not covered under the Free Fees Initiative.
- Each programme has a minimum or ‘default’ number of credits to be attempted and passed for the award of a degree - for example - a student undertaking an Arts degree is required to attempt and pass 180 credits; a student undertaking an Engineering or Science degree, 240 credits and so on.
- Free fees will cover the tuition element of the programme fee up to the default number of credits required for the award of the degree.
- IMPORTANT:
Any additional credits taken in excess of this limit by way of choice, 2nd attempts, substitution, resit or repeat must be paid for in full by the student.
2. Who may qualify for free tuition fees under the Free Fees Initiative?
- There are three criteria for qualification.
- All of these criteria A, B and C must be met in full prior to commencing a degree programme
A. Students must belong to one or more of the following categories:-
- are EU*, EEA* nationals or nationals of the Swiss Confederation
or
- have official Refugee status in the Republic of Ireland
or
- are family members of official refugees who are granted permission by the Minister for Justice and Law Reform to enter the Republic of Ireland and to reside in the Republic of Ireland
or
- have leave to reside in the Republic of Ireland on humanitarian grounds i.e. "Humanitarian leave to remain in the State”
or
- have permission to remain in the Republic of Ireland as a family member of
an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen and have the classification "4EUFam" on their GNIB
card
or
- be a person in respect of whom the Minister for Justice has granted permission to remain following a determination not to make a deportation order
or
- be a person granted ‘subsidiary protection with permission to reside in the State’
Additionally -
- students who have been verifiably absent from 3rd level education for a minimum of 5 years since attempting, but not completing, a first-time degree AND who belong to one of the above categories may be considered “second chance” i.e. eligible for a further round of funding under the Free fees Initiative.
Note that students who have already completed a first-time undergraduate degree or who have a postgraduate qualification are never entitled to further funding under the Initiative.
B. All students must meet a Residency criterion:
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Residence
|
All students must have been ordinarily resident* in the EU/EEA/ Swiss Confederation** for a minimum of 3 of the 5 years prior to commencing a programme at UCD. |
| Important Note: for determination of eligibility for free tuition fees the place of residence of a student is deemed to be their place of education. This means that if a student receives their full-time education in a non-EU/EEA/ Swiss jurisdiction they will not be eligible for free fees. |
Definitions
* ‘Ordinarily resident’ means being resident in the EU/EEA/Swiss Confederation for a minimum of 183 days in any one calendar year for a minimum of 3 years
** EU/EEA/Swiss Confederation click
here for a list of countries
C. Students must not already have a degree or previous 3rd level attendance
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Prior Attendance
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Degree graduates
|
No graduate - regardless of where, when or how the degree was obtained - qualifies for free tuition.
If a student has a postgraduate qualification without having completed a primary degree they will not qualify for free fees if they chose to pursue an undergraduate programme. |
|
Students who have completed and been awarded a level 7 “Ordinary” degree
|
Where a student has been awarded a level 7 degree and wishes to progress to a level 8 degree they will be entitled to free fees for “add-on” years only i.e. if their level 7 degree was of 3 year’s duration then they will be entitled to free fees for the 4th and subsequent years only. They will themselves be liable for tuition fees for the first three years. |
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Students who have attended but have not completed a Level 6, 7 or 8 programme
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A student who has attended a third level course within the EU/EEA, Swiss Confederation in the past five years, and has not completed the course, will be liable for all fees for the equivalent period that s/he was in attendance.
Note: This regulation applies whether or not the institution attended was publicly/government funded or was private or fee-paying. |
3. Other Information
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Exceptions
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Students who attend repeat years in exceptional circumstances such as certified serious illness.
|
Where grading exemptions in extenuating circumstances have been approved by the School’s Programme Board tuition fees will not be charged for the modules thus graded. Where grading exemptions have not been awarded application must be made to the Fees and Grants Office enclosing detailed medical certificates and details of hospitalisation etc and/or other evidence where relevant. See withdrawing from a programme.
NOTE: students who change college / university for reasons of illness cannot claim eligibility for free fees in a different college / university. Free fees apply only if the student returns to the same college / university and the same programme. |
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Withdrawing from a Programme
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If a student decides to withdraw from a programme and is in receipt of Free Fees there are consequences that they must be aware of. |
If a student withdraws from a programme for which free fees are claimed they will be held liable for all tuition fees for the equivalent period of attendance if they decide to attend another 3rd level programme in the Republic of Ireland.
For further information please visit your Programme Office, the Student Desk and see: withdrawing from a programme |
4. The Free Fees Initiative covers the published programme fee less the Student Contribution and the Student Levy.
| |
Student Contribution |
Student Levy |
Student Pays |
|
How much do I Pay? |
Students who qualify for free fees |
€2,250 |
€183 |
€2,433 |
| Students who qualify for free fees and have an approved Higher Education Grant |
Higher Education grant will cover the Student Contribution |
€183 |
€183 |
50% of these fees must be paid by 9 September 2012
The balance is due on or before 31 January 2013
Fees should be paid online this is the best and fastest way to pay.
Or you may request UCD-issued fee payment form (bank giro) via SISWEB. This may be used to pay fees in any bank in the Republic of Ireland.
For further details about making payment please refer to our website at: http://www.ucd.ie/registry/adminservices/fees/payment_of_fees.htm |
5. Undergraduate Students not eligible for free tuition
FREE FEES: Students are generally automatically assessed for “free” fees for undergraduate programmes. However if you are not a current school leaver or have – for example - a non-EU place of birth but have EU nationality you may need to provide us with some documentation e.g. an EU passport. If you are uncertain about your entitlement or wish to upload documentation for assessment you can consider using this application.
EU FEES: If you are a non-EU student and wish to be assessed for “EU” fees you can use this application to self-assess and if necessary forward appropriate documentation for a formal assessment of fee status
Undergraduates - Self assess here
