2026–2027 intake

Grants and Payment Policy

Study, grant support and seat-confirmation terms for applicants to the International University Consortium. All amounts are in US dollars (USD), and grants are calculated against the base tuition for the relevant academic year.

Base annual tuition10 000 USD

Starting amount for calculating grant support.

Maximum grant supportup to 50%

Support depends on the applicant category and intake terms.

Seat reservation deposit250 USD

The deposit secures a place and is credited towards tuition.

International University Consortium pathways

Five pathways let students balance time at STARS with continued study at a consortium university.

PathwayProgressionStudy structureWho it suits

1+3

Study structure1 year at STARS; 3 years at a consortium university

Who it suitsFor entry after school / Foundation, subject to the chosen programme.

2+2

Study structure2 years at STARS; 2 years at a consortium university

Who it suitsFor students choosing a longer period at STARS.

3+1

Study structure3 years at STARS; 1 year at a consortium university

Who it suitsFor the longest period at STARS before progression.

1+2

Study structure1 year at STARS; 2 years at a consortium university

Who it suitsFor applicants with Foundation, A Level, IB or a recognised equivalent.

2+1

Study structure2 years at STARS; 1 year at a consortium university

Who it suitsFor transfer students and those who completed a relevant undergraduate stage / International Year One.

Recognition of prior learning

Prior learning and entry level are determined after academic review of the candidate’s transcript, courses, credits and qualifications.

Application review and seat confirmation

Two consecutive stages confirm the application decision and reserve a place on the chosen programme.

01stage

Application: Free
Decision: Offer / Confirmation
Review time: Usually within 1 working day

02stage

Seat confirmation: Seat Reservation Deposit — 250 USD
Deposit credit: Fully credited towards tuition
Outcome: The seat is reserved within the intake

Important

If the deposit is not paid by the deadline in the Offer / Confirmation, the confirmed grant terms lapse and the seat returns to the general intake.

Grant programme

Global Access Grant

The regional rate is calculated from the base annual tuition of USD 10,000. Support depends on the candidate’s country of permanent residence.

up to 35% of base tuition

New York
Los Angeles
Chicago
Toronto
Vancouver

Region is determined from the candidate’s passport. The grant is fixed at admission and remains in place throughout study at STARS, subject to programme terms.

Additional grants

Academic and payment grants

Additional grants may be combined with the regional rate, subject to an overall 50% cap.

15% · 1 500 USD

English Excellence Grant

IELTS 7.0+ / TOEFL iBT 91+ / PTE 66+ / CEFR C1 / SAT R&W 650+

Grant amount ↗

5% · 500 USD

STEM Merit Add-On

Engineering / IT: SAT Math 700+

Grant amount ↗

5% · 500 USD

Early Commitment Grant

Pay 50% of tuition by the deadline

Grant amount ↗

10% · 1 000 USD

Full Prepayment Grant

Pay 100% of tuition by the deadline

Grant amount ↗

Important

Early Commitment Grant and Full Prepayment Grant cannot be combined; only one applies.

Loyalty programme

Commitment Grant — for longer study at STARS

Additional support for students who choose a longer period of study at STARS. It applies in the second and third years.

+10%

2+2 pathway · Year 2Additional grant = USD 1,000

+10%

3+1 pathway · Year 2Additional grant = USD 1,000

+15%

3+1 pathway · Year 3Additional grant = USD 1,500

Commitment Grant applies automatically when academic, financial and disciplinary policies are met. It combines with confirmed grants up to the overall 50% cap.

Tuition calculation

How tuition is calculated in Years 2 and 3

Four successive rules determine the final tuition for each academic year at STARS.

01
Base for each academic year
10 000 USD
02
Global Access Grant and academic grants
Carry forward to subsequent years at STARS when academic, financial and disciplinary policies are met.
03
Early Commitment / Full Prepayment
Recalculated each academic year when the relevant payment condition is met.
04
Commitment Grant
Added in the applicable second or third year at STARS.

Worked example

Example calculation for the 3+1 pathway

How tuition changes each year for a student with a confirmed 35% grant and Commitment Grant.

Year 1 · STARS−35%

Confirmed grants 35%

6 500 USD

Base tuition10 000 USD

Year 2 · STARS−45%

Grants 35% + Commitment Grant 10%

5 500 USD

Base tuition10 000 USD

Year 3 · STARS−50% (cap)

Grants 35% + Commitment Grant 15% · 50% cap

5 000 USD

Maximum cap reached

Calculation example

3+1 example: a student with confirmed grants of 35% pays USD 6,500 in Year 1; with continuing eligibility and a 10% Commitment Grant, USD 5,500 in Year 2; with a 15% Commitment Grant, USD 5,000 in Year 3 (subject to the 50% maximum cap).

Important cap

Combination rules and cap

Total grant support is capped at 50% of the academic year’s base tuition.

up to 50%up to USD 5,000Maximum grant support per year

GLOBAL ACCESSRegional grant+ENGLISH EXCELLENCEEnglish language+STEM MERIT ADD-ONEngineering / ITPAYMENT GRANTOnly one of the two

Total grant support is limited to 50% of base tuition for the relevant academic year (up to USD 5,000). Global Access Grant may combine with English Excellence Grant and STEM Merit Add-On; one payment grant may also apply. If the calculated total exceeds 50%, actual support is capped at 50%. Any unused grant amount arising from the cap is not paid in cash, carried forward or otherwise compensated.

How study continues

Progression to a consortium university depends on the chosen pathway, the student’s academic results and the receiving partner university’s requirements. Final terms are set out in the Offer / Confirmation and relevant programme documents.