I have a player considering a FSE character. If I understand right. they would pick a career and instead of choosing one of the 3 specs they would pick FSE as their spec. correct?

player is asking about the lost 2 free skills and asking if they get a bonus xp to start. If I understand the process the lost 2 skills are replaced with "gain force rating 1" and ability to access Force powers. ... correct?

They'd pick a career and one of the 3 specs. They'd then have to pick up FSE by spending XP to get it, using the universal tree cost.

Yea, you can only get FSE as a specialisation by paying XP for it, you have to pick a specialisation from your career as your free one.

ok so if FSE was the first extra spec then it would cost 20 xp since it was universal. correct?

Correct.