Tuition fee deposits

What a deposit is

The deposit is a minimum payment that you need to make after you receive your offer and before you start your studies. The amount of the deposit will be deducted from your tuition fees that you will pay later.  

You can pay more of your tuition fees in advance if you want to.

A small number of programmes have deposits, so you must check your individual programme for details.

Check if your programme has a deposit on the degree finder (see 'Fees and funding' section)

Deadline for paying deposits

Your offer letter shows the deadline for paying your deposit. Deadlines and how you pay your deposit vary depending on your chosen degree programme. Please check your programme-specific guidance for details.

The payment process is the same for everyone, except for VMCAS (Veterinary Medical Colleges Admissions System) and Partnership applicants, who will receive payment instructions directly.

If we do not receive your deposit by the stated deadline, we may withdraw your offer.

If you are having difficulty meeting our deposit deadline, contact your admissions team. Your school or college can grant a deadline extension at their discretion.

Find contact details for your programme on the degree finder

Deposit waivers

If your degree programme requires a deposit, you will need to pay it by the stated deadline to secure your place, unless you qualify for an exemption.

You will not need to pay a deposit if you:

• provide acceptable evidence of a sponsorship or full scholarship covering your tuition fees by the due date of the deposit 
• previously studied at the University of Edinburgh and received one of the following bursaries or scholarships:
  • Rest of UK (RUK) Undergraduate Bursary
  • Scotland Accommodation Bursary
  • University of Edinburgh Scholarship
  • Scotland Scholarship
  • Access Edinburgh Scholarship

Refunds for deposits

Deposits are only refundable in the following circumstances:

• you do not meet the academic conditions of your offer: your deposit will be refunded.
• you change your mind about studying on the programme: you can request a refund within 14 days of the date we receive your deposit payment.
• exceptional personal circumstances: a full or partial refund may be considered at the discretion of your School or College. You will need to provide details and any supporting evidence requested.

If you cancel your application more than 14 days after we receive your deposit payment or withdraw from your programme after you have started your studies, your deposit will not normally be refundable.

Making a refund request

The process for requesting a deposit refund depends on the reason for your request.

Requesting a refund within 14 days of your payment

If you want to request a refund within 14 days of the date we receive your deposit payment, you must submit your request through the Applicant Hub.

Requesting a refund if you are now fully sponsored

If you have paid your deposit and have since received sponsorship that covers your full tuition fees, contact your School or College Admissions Team and provide evidence of your sponsorship. Proof of sponsorship can be uploaded via the Applicant Hub.

Requesting a refund for exceptional personal circumstances

If you are requesting a refund because of exceptional personal circumstances, contact your School or College Admissions Team. They will advise you on the information and supporting evidence you need to provide and will consider your request in line with the relevant deposit policy.

Find contact details for your programme on the degree finder  

Refund timelines

If you are eligible for a tuition fee deposit refund and your refund has been approved, the time it takes to receive your refund will depend on the refund method used. 

Find out about refund methods and timescales

If you have requested a deferral

If we agree to your request to defer your start date and you have:  

• not yet paid a deposit: you will need to pay the deposit to secure the offer of the deferred place 
• already paid a deposit: we will retain the deposit and allocate it to the tuition fees due for the deferred place in the following year

Paying your tuition fees deposit

If your programme requires you to pay a tuition fee deposit, this will be shown in your application.

To pay your deposit:

1. Log in to the Applicant Hub.
2. Open the application for the programme that requires a deposit.
3. Select the option to pay your tuition fee deposit.
4. Choose your payment method - either: 
   1. debit or credit card
   2. bank transfer
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your payment.
6. Make sure you pay the full deposit amount by the deadline.

Applicant Hub