Tuition Fees

• Tuition fees are charged based on a flat-fee Annual tuition fees payable during the normative study period are calculated by dividing the programme fees by the number of years of the normative study period. In each academic year, students are required to settle tuition fees for the year by two equal instalments, one in the Autumn term and one in the Spring term. The flat fee will be subject to adjustment annually. Extra credit fees (or course fees for non-credit bearing courses) may apply under certain circumstances. Please see information below.

• Students are allowed to take 10 – 12.5% above the total credit requirements of their respective programmes of study without paying extra credit fees during the normative study period. Details are as follows:

• Students taking courses beyond the allowable credit limit will be charged on credit basis according to the rate of the year in which the course enrollment takes place.

• Students are required to pay the full programme fees, i.e. all the installments for the normative period of the programme, before they graduate. That means even if a student completes the programme requirements earlier than usual, he/she still has to settle the full programme fees before graduation. Any outstanding tuition fee installments will be charged based on the tuition fee rate of the year in which the programme is completed. Note that NMTSS, SSSDP, or the financial assistance schemes administered by the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (WFSFAA) might not be applicable to the outstanding tuition fee installments.

Example

• Beyond the normative study period, students will be charged on credit basis (or course basis for non-credit bearing courses) for the courses they enrolled, irrespective of the total number of credits taken during the normative period. Exceptions apply for students who defer their studies or participate in outbound exchange programmes.

• Flat fee instalment will not be collected during the deferral or outbound exchange period. Upon resumption of studies, students will continue to pay the flat fee instalment(s) until the full programme fees are settled. If a student has to take courses after “N + no. of deferred year(s)”, he/she will be charged on credit basis (or course basis for non-credit bearing courses). In any event, the maximum period of study remains unchanged.
• If a student paid the flat fee instalment for a term before deferring it, the fees paid for that term will be transferred for use in the resumed term. If the tuition fees paid in the deferred term are lower than the tuition fees payable in the resumed term because of annual fee adjustment, the student has to settle the fee difference. If the student paid more in the deferred term, the University will refund the difference in the resumed term.

Example

• There are exclusions under the flat fee model. Tuition fee payment will be charged on credit/course basis under the following circumstances.

Application grounds

Students who are not able to settle the tuition fees for a term by the stipulated deadline must apply for ‘Late Payment of Tuition Fees’ during the designated period of the term.

Applications must be based on students’ genuine financial situation, and that of their dependent family members. Pending financial assistance disbursement from the Government or other agencies would not constitute automatic payment deadline extension; students must submit an application. The University may request provision of related proof and/or other documents substantiating students’ financial situation for consideration.

Application process

Details of late payment application arrangements of each term will be announced by email. In general, students will be required to submit an online application form and pay a late payment deposit via the ePayment platform during the designated period. The University will not process the application if students have failed to do so.

The late payment deposit is set as $5,000. Once it has been paid, the deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. It will count towards the tuition fees payable. Therefore the remaining balance will be the original tuition fees amount minus the late payment deposit.

The University will review the late payment applications based on the justification (and documents received, if applicable). Students may be requested to provide clarification or additional documents. An interview for late payment application may also be conducted if necessary.

Application results will be announced by University email:

• If the application is approved, students will be informed of the new extended payment deadline which is set at the full discretion of the University. The extended deadline would still be within term period.
• If the application is not approved, students will be required to settle the remaining balance during a specified short period after result notification.

Please also note that, despite approved late payment, there could be related conditions or restrictions regarding various government subsidy schemes and access to certain University services. Students are advised to read the important notes of application carefully prior to submission.

If students fail to settle tuition fees by the payment deadline and have not applied for late payment of tuition fees, they will be de-registered from their studies at the University. They are required to apply for ‘late registration’ should they wish to continue with their studies in the term. For details, please visit De-registration and Late Registration.