Refund of tuition fee

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Refund process

These are the steps to request a refund at Umeå University
1.     Student emails tuitionfees@umu.se stating their request.
2.     Student is sent the request form.
3.     Student sends the form back to tuitionfees@umu.se with all required documents.
4.     A refund officer reviews the request, and makes a decision based upon the documentation provided by the student.
5.     (If granted) International Office sends information regarding the refund to the finance department, who then request that Danske Bank refund the money to the account that the payment was made from.

Timeline

Due to the heavy workload at the start of each semester, we do not start the processing of refund requests until about a month into the semester. We aim to provide a decision on your request for a refund by 15 November for the autumn semester and 15 April for the spring semester.

All documentation and emails sent in to tuitionfees@umu.se will be taken into consideration before a decision on the request for a refund is made. If further information is required, the tuition fees team will contact you. If you have contacted them once, please do not contact again, your case will be dealt with in due time.

Waiting for a decision from Umeå University

If you have already contacted the tuition fees team about a refund you will be sent the refund request form and further instructions. There is no need to contact them again unless you are asked to provide additional information.

How Umeå University makes a decision

Umeå University’s decision is based on the documentation provided by the student. If further information is required, Umeå University will contact the student. If no further information is provided despite reminders from the university, a decision is made based on the available documentation. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the requested documentation, and to make sure all information is correct.

Once you have received a decision

Once you have received a decision from Umeå University, if the request is granted, the finance department will request that Danske Bank refund your payment to the bank account that the payment was made from.

Please note that we cannot estimate the time that it will take to receive your refund. The process can, in some cases, take several months. Umeå University takes responsibility for sending the money from our account to your account, we are not responsible for actions taken by intermediary banks (such as administrative fees or the time taken for the payment to reach your account).

You may request a tracker ID from Umeå University, in order to track your payment. You will need to contact us to request this.

Refund eligibility

Students may request a refund, but refunds are only granted in specific circumstances. See section ‘Grounds to request a refund’ for examples of situations where a refund could be granted. Please note that we do not guarantee a refund, as each case is assessed individually. You will also need to unregister yourself from courses within 3 weeks of the course start date in order to be eligible for a refund. See section ‘Unregister from courses’ for more information.

Refunds are not possible for amounts less than 1000 SEK.

Grounds to request a refund:

• If the programme or course has been cancelled by the university.
  
  
• If a student is not granted a residence permit by the Swedish Migration Agency, or does not receive a permit in time to start their studies at Umeå University.
  
  
• If the student has made an incorrect payment (e.g. a double payment).
  
  
• If a student’s fee status changes before the start of the semester (e.g. a student is granted EU citizenship/a residence permit for reasons other than studies). If the student’s fee status changes during an ongoing semester and the student has registered for courses, a refund cannot be given for the registered courses. This also applies to semesters that have passed. The reimbursement is not retroactive, a student can only request a refund on the grounds that their fee status has changed before the student has registered for a course. Umeå University bases their decision on the period of the residence permit.
  
  
• If a student receives a scholarship after having paid their tuition fees. A refund cannot be given for any registered courses (See section ‘Unregister from courses).
  
  
• If a student has other special circumstances that hinder their studies.

Unregister from courses

Please note that to be eligible for a refund, you will need to be unregistered from any courses for which you are requesting a refund within 3 weeks of the course start date (if you have already registered). A discontinuation after 3 weeks will not be grounds for a refund. To make an early discontinuation, you should contact the study administrator at your department.

Refund

A student who has been suspended from studies due to non-payment of tuition or based on a decision from the Disciplinary Board, Administrative Court, The Higher Education Appeals Board, or Higher Education Expulsions Board, will not receive a reimbursement.

Students who have not unregistered themselves from courses on Ladok within 3 weeks of the course start date are ineligible for a refund.

A student who receives a new residence permit status after they have registered for a course or have completed a course is ineligible for a refund. Receiving a refund due to a change in residence status is only possible if a student contacts us regarding their fee status before registering for the course.

FAQ

How do I apply for a refund of paid tuition fee?

Students who wish to apply for a refund must contact Umeå University. Their application should be submitted in English and state the reason for the refund. Supporting documentation should be provided in English, preferably before the start of the semester. For further information and access to the refund form, please contact tuitionfees@umu.se. Further information can also be found earlier on this page.

When will I get a decision on my refund application?

Due to the heavy workload at the start of each semester we do not start the processing of refund applications until about a month into the semester. You should after this have a decision on your application by mid-November for the autumn semester and mid-April for the spring semester.

If you have not had an update on your application by 15 November (autumn) and 15 April (spring) please contact the tuitionfees team. All documentation and emails sent in to tuitionfees@umu.se will be taken into consideration before a decision on the application is made. If further information is required the tuitionfees team will contact you.

When will I receive my refund?

We cannot estimate the time it will take to receive a refund, but please note that the process can take some months.

Due to the heavy workload at the start of each semester we do not start the processing of refund applications requests until about a month into the semester. You should after this have a decision on your application request for a refund by mid-November for the autumn semester and mid-April for the spring semester. If you have not had an update on your application request by 15 November (autumn) and 15 April (spring) please contact the tuitionfees team.

Once you have received a decision via an email confirming that your refund will be processed, we will request that our bank start the refund process. If your bank uses intermediary banks, please note that this can delay the process.

I paid for a course and was not able to finish the studies. Can I study the course again next semester without paying extra?

Yes, you may re-register for the course, if it is offered, without paying any extra tuition. Please contact the department of your studies for more information.