Should you be charged University Fees when not as Uni?

mo.allen

Hello,

Looking for some advice,

My daughter has managed to independently find a years internship. Her University is saying she has to pay a 'Placement' fee for this year even though she will not be attending University.

This does not sound correct to me as a placement is not even an essential part of her degree. I view this as a gap year and do not think a charge should be levied. Has anyone successfully fought against this charge?

Thanks

Mo

happyandcontented

mo.allen wrote: »

Hello,

Looking for some advice,

My daughter has managed to independently find a years internship. Her University is saying she has to pay a 'Placement' fee for this year even though she will not be attending University.

This does not sound correct to me as a placement is not even an essential part of her degree. I view this as a gap year and do not think a charge should be levied. Has anyone successfully fought against this charge?

Thanks

Mo

Will she not be undertaking exams? Watching online tutorials? My son is on an Industrial placement year which he found independently but he still has to do exams and online tutorials. He pays a much-reduced fee.

Gloomendoom

In my experience, the charge is quite normal. She could temporarily withdraw from the course to avoid it.

Withdrawing may create other problems though. She would also lose her student status.

Lokolo

When I did my industrial placement I had to pay reduced fees, as part of this I still had access to the university + staff + facilities. It also counted towards my degree classification.

~Beanie~

Totally normal. I work in a University and we charge £500 fees for the placement year. This is the blurb from our website which shows what you are getting for your £500.

[FONT=&quot]

During the Placement, the student will have a designated supervisor/line manager, and will also be in regular communication with the Student Placement Officer via email, telephone and also where possible a placement visit to the workplace.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Placement students are still registered students at ** University, and so have access to a whole host of student support services, including access to the Student Placement Officer, Student Services Centre, Careers and Employability Team, and University Students’ Union.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Placement activities will be work based and agreed between the employer, the student and an academic tutor. During the Placement the student will carry out work-based learning and reflection and will be expected to complete two portfolio assessments to successfully complete the Placement.[/FONT]

happyandcontented

Also, because they are still classed as a student they are not liable for Council Tax.