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CiproMoney, 2026/27
Paying tuition from abroad: how to do it safely, and the scams to avoid
In short: pay tuition only to the university itself, through the payment route on its own website, by yourself or a family member. Universities warn of one scam above all: someone (often on WeChat, Facebook or Instagram) offers to pay your fees at a discount or a better exchange rate. They pay with stolen cards, the payment is later cancelled, and you lose your money while the fees are still owed. Only the university can give a discount.
The scams universities warn about
| Scam | Come funziona | Fonte |
|---|---|---|
| "Discounted" fees through a third party | Someone offers to pay your fees for less or at a better exchange rate. They take your money and pay with stolen or cloned card details; the payment is later reversed and you still owe the fees. | UCL leggi 7 Nov 2026 |
| Pressure and too-good offers | Warning signs: pressure to agree quickly, discounts that seem too good to be true, requests for cash in person, being asked to recruit other students. | Università di Newcastle leggi 7 Nov 2026 |
| Fake "official" messages | Scammers pose as the university, a student loan body or government, asking for a transfer or sending a payment link, often when a payment is due. | Università di Bristol leggi 7 Nov 2026 |
| Immigration "fines" or funds checks | Messages claiming you must pay a fine or move money to prove your funds. The university notes that official immigration processes never ask for money this way. | Università di Bristol leggi 7 Nov 2026 |
How to pay safely
| Regola | What it means | Fonte |
|---|---|---|
| Pay the university directly | Fees should always be paid directly to the university by you or a family member, using a method on its own website. | Università di Newcastle leggi 7 Nov 2026 |
| Use the university’s own payment route only | Each university names its route on its fees page; some use a single payment partner for international payments and say bank transfers must go only through it. | Brunel University London leggi 7 Nov 2026 |
| Quote your student ID | Payments without your student number may not be matched to you. | Brunel University London leggi 7 Nov 2026 |
| Tell your bank first | Warn your bank before a large international payment and check your card limit. | Brunel University London leggi 7 Nov 2026 |
| Never pay cash to individuals | And never share your university login or financial statement with an agent or third party. | UCL leggi 7 Nov 2026 |
| Check before you pay | If in doubt, do not reply or click; contact the university’s fees team using the details on its website, and report fraud (in the UK, to Action Fraud). | Università di Bristol leggi 7 Nov 2026 |
Last checked: 7 Nov 2026. These are UK universities' own warnings; the same scams are reported elsewhere. We do not sell, recommend or link to payment or money-transfer companies; follow your university's fees page.
Cosa fare dopo
- Find your university's fees page and save its payment instructions before anyone contacts you.
- Verifica che la scuola sia reale on the official register: verify a school.
- Check an agent before you pay one: come verificare un agente, e staying safe.
- Budget the year with the cost calculator.
Domande
How do I pay university fees from abroad safely?
pay tuition only to the university itself, through the payment route on its own website, by yourself or a family member. Universities warn of one scam above all: someone (often on WeChat, Facebook or Instagram) offers to pay your fees at a discount or a better exchange rate. They pay with stolen cards, the payment is later cancelled, and you lose your money while the fees are still owed. Only the university can give a discount.
Is it safe to use someone who offers a discount on tuition fees?
No. UK universities including UCL, Newcastle and Bristol warn that these offers are usually a card scam: the fees are paid with stolen cards, the payment is reversed, and you lose your money. Only the university can offer a discount.
What should I do if I think I was scammed?
Stop any further payment, contact your university’s fees team and your bank straight away, and report it to the police (in the UK, Action Fraud).