Tuition refund scheme

As a member of University of Exeter staff you are able to apply for financial assistance for courses leading to further qualifications. The Tuition Refund Scheme (TRS) supports the University’s Learning and Development Strategy.

We are committed to ensure that you have the opportunity to develop yourself by acquiring skills and knowledge for your job role. The TRS enables you to do this by providing access to resources (money and time) to meet your professional and personal development needs.

You should make an application for Professional Development if the programme is directly related to your ability to perform your current role or an application for Personal Development if it will benefit you in the broader sense of development but is still indirectly related to your current role.

Applications for Tuition Refund will be monitored to ensure that all applications are dealt with consistently and in accordance with the University’s Equality and Diversity policies.

You should discuss the training you wish to undertake and the possibility of an application through the TRS at your Performance and Development Review (PDR).

Eligibility

  • You may apply for assistance through the TRS if you are a member of staff at the University of Exeter (note: those engaged on a claims basis or through the Temporary Staff Bank are not eligible).
  • You will need to have worked at the University for one year; unless it has been agreed during the recruitment process that you should undertake the qualification.
  • You will not be able to apply if you are entitled to a grant from an LEA or other sponsoring body.

Process

  • To apply, please complete the tuition refund scheme application form.
  • You should discuss your application with your manager and complete the first part of the form.
  • If your request is supported by your College/Professional Service the form should be authorised by your College Dean/Head of Professional Service or their designate.
  • You should sign the last page of the form.
  • You and your College/Professional Service should keep a copy of the completed form
  • Please send the authorised form to Staff Learning and Development, Human Resources, Northcote House, The Queen’s Drive, Exeter, EX4 4QJ.
  • Professional Development: your College/Professional Service pays for the course of study
  • Personal Development: you pay your course fees.  At the end of your course (or stage), you can claim back the agreed amount.  Please complete the tuition refund scheme refund form, which you should submit together with a copy of the receipt for the payment of the course and proof of successful completion (eg certificate/examination results).

Tuition refund scheme (professional and personal development)

  • Colleges and Professional Services are responsible for funding the Tuition Refund Scheme.  The College Dean or Head of Professional Service will consider all applications under the scheme.  Financial assistance will be offered at the discretion of the College Dean or Head of Professional Service; it is not a contractual entitlement.  The number of applications that a College or Professional Service can support may be limited by budget constraints.
  • You will be responsible for the payment of any repeat course and examination fees.
  • If you leave the employment of the University, for any reason, within 12 months of completing the programme, you will be required to repay 50% of the course fees; if you leave before completing the programme, you will be required to repay 100%.
  • You will be given paid time off to take examinations forming part of the approved course of study. You will also be given ½ day paid study leave for each examination.
  • You will be able to claim travel and subsistence in accordance with the University’s standard policies.
  • The purchase of books is not included in the fee cannot be claimed for.

Professional development

  • Costs for professional development will be met directly by the College/Professional Service.
  • You will be able to agree time off work to attend training events (a maximum of one day per week or 10 days in any University term).

Personal development

  • 50% of your course fees will be reimbursed, up to a maximum of £1,000.
  • You will pay your course fees; we will then provide an interest free loan for the amount you have paid.
  • We will recover the loan for fees by equal monthly deductions (for the duration of the course) through payroll.
  • When you have completed your course of study (or stage) you can reclaim the agreed amount using the tuition refund scheme refund form
  • If you leave the University or do not complete the course you will be required to repay the outstanding loan.
  • Time off to attend training events will only be allowed if in lieu arrangements can be made.