INTERNATIONAL FEES & PAYMENTS AT SAE
At SAE, you can access an outstanding educational experience, with unrivalled state-of-the-art facilities, expert tutors and extensive links to the creative industry. An SAE qualification represents a solid investment in your future as a creative.
International students pay different fees to those from the UK. You’re usually classed as an international student if you’ve not lived in the UK/EU for the last three years.
Fees status
Your tuition fee charge will depend on whether you’re classified as a student from ‘home’ or ‘overseas’. These classification rules are strictly determined by the UK Government.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides information on tuition fees to help you assess your fee status. Their easy-to-use guides should give a clear idea of your status as either a home or overseas student.
If you’re not sure what your fee status should be, or require assistance with anything related to financing your studies at SAE, our friendly Admissions Team is on hand to help.
They can be contacted at ukenquiries@sae.edu or on +44 (0)333 0112315.
2025 International Tuition Fees
For international students commencing their studies from September 2025, the following fees will apply.
TWO-YEAR ACCELERATED DEGREE:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £16,500 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £12,500 per year
THREE-YEAR DEGREE:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £15,750 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £11,250 per year
*Student visa required
For more information regarding SAE’s EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy, please read the SAE UK EU Students Bursary Policy.
TWO-YEAR ACCELERATED DEGREE:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £16,500 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £12,500 per year
THREE-YEAR DEGREE:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £15,750 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £11,250 per year
*Student visa required
For more information regarding SAE’s EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy, please read the SAE UK EU Students Bursary Policy.
TWO-YEAR ACCELERATED DEGREE:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £16,500 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £12,500 per year
THREE-YEAR DEGREE:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £15,750 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £11,250 per year
*Student visa required
For more information regarding SAE’s EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy, please read the SAE UK EU Students Bursary Policy.
TWO-YEAR ACCELERATED DEGREE:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £16,500 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £12,500 per year
THREE-YEAR DEGREE:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £15,750 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £11,250 per year
*Student visa required
For more information regarding SAE’s EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy, please read the SAE UK EU Students Bursary Policy.
TWO-YEAR ACCELERATED DEGREE:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £16,500 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £12,500 per year
THREE-YEAR DEGREE:
International students (non-EU/EEA/Swiss)*: £15,750 per year
EU/EEA/Swiss students*: £11,250 per year
*Student visa required
For more information regarding SAE’s EU/EEA/Swiss students bursary policy, please read the SAE UK EU Students Bursary Policy.
FAQs
Many countries run programmes to assist students to study abroad and we encourage you to investigate the options available to you.
Prior to the UK leaving the European Union, EU citizens were eligible to access UK student funding. While access has now changed significantly, there are some instances where funding is still available. We have attempted to provide answers to the key questions we’re regularly asked about below. Please contact us at ukenquiries@sae.edu if you’re unsure of your eligibility.
Eligibility rules have changed for EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members who wish to commence courses in England in the academic year starting in August 2025. EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals not covered by the citizens’ rights provisions in the Withdrawal Agreements will not be eligible for undergraduate or postgraduate financial support from Student Finance England for courses starting in the academic year 2025/26.
The Withdrawal Agreement, which came into force on 31 January 2020, sets out the terms of the UK’s exit from the European Union. This explainer aims to support understanding of Part 2 (citizens’ rights) of the Withdrawal Agreement, which gives UK and EU nationals certainty that their citizens’ rights will be protected.
People who are covered by Part 2 of the Withdrawal Agreement will have broadly the same rights to work, study and access public services and benefits as they did before the UK’s exit from the EU.
You’ll be eligible for a UK student loan if you entered the UK before 31 December 2020, and applied through the EU Settlement Scheme for pre-settled or settled status prior to the 30 June 2021 deadline.
Pre-settled status
To receive Pre-settled status you must have arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and lived in the UK, EU, EEA or Switzerland for three years immediately before your course starts. If you fall into this category, you may be able to access a UK Tuition Fees loan. Evidence will be required by the Student Loans Company (SLC).
Settled status
To receive Settled status you must have arrived in the UK before 31 December 2020 and lived in the UK for five years. If you fall into this category, you may be able to access UK Tuition Fees and Maintenance Loans. Evidence will be required by the Student Loans Company (SLC).
If you have any questions or are unsure of your eligibility, please contact ukenquiries@sae.edu.
If you are planning to submit a Student visa application, you’ll need to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS). This is an annual fee to cover the cost of using the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
The Immigration Healthcare Surcharge is paid upfront for the duration of your visa, rather than on an annual basis, and students receive a 25% discount on the fee.
It’s important to ensure you’ve paid the correct amount of the surcharge before you submit your visa application, otherwise, it’s likely to be rejected.
For more information, click here to go to gov.uk website.
Students requiring a Student Visa
Most international students need to apply for a student visa to study in the UK. You can find out whether you need a visa by clicking here.
We require all international students to pay a deposit to secure their place at SAE and issue your CAS number for your visa application. The deposit amount will depend on if you are receiving financial aid, state funded loan or grant or are self-funding the course. All course fees to be paid in full before enrolment. For more information on the application process, please visit here.
- Funded students from Norway or Sweden – £1,000 required to obtain a CAS
- Students from a country listed under the UKVI ‘differential evidence requirement’ (see here for a list of countries) – £2,000 required to obtain a CAS
- International students NOT on the UKVI ‘differential evidence requirement’ (see here for a list of countries) – £5,000 required to obtain a CAS*
* there are 5 exceptions to this rule, our admissions team will confirm your deposit requirement on receipt of application.
