Funding Undergraduate Study

It is possible to take out student loans for tuition fees and living costs (maintenance). Extra money may be available in the form of non-repayable grants, for instance if you have dependant children or have a disability. New Nursing and Midwifery students came under the general student finance regulations in August 2017 (continuing students remain on the old NHS bursary scheme).

See 'other financial support' for help outside the student finance system.

Certain elements of student finance are assessed on the sponsor's income i.e. the student's parent or spouse, which will determine the amount awarded. The tuition fee loan and 72% of the maintenance loan are not based on the sponsor's income. Some students are considered 'independent' and their award is also free from income assessment e.g. student over 25, lone parent or where both parents are full-time students.

Part-time students can also get a non-means tested tuition fee loan and a means-tested maintenance loan. The amount awarded depends on the intensity of the course. However, the only grant available is Disabled Students Allowance.

A step by step guide can be found on the GOV.UK website

Supplementary funding may be available for the following students:

• Nursing, Midwifery, Operating Department Practice and Paramedic Science students may be eligible for support from the NHS Learning Support Fund
• Social Work students may be eligible for a Social Work Bursary from their 2nd year of study onwards
• Undergraduate student teachers (in certain subjects) may be eligible for scholarships and bursaries

However, the student loan system has a number of pitfalls for the unwary. It is vital that prospective students meet all the criteria to get an award. Common issues arise when someone already has a Higher Education qualification, years of previous study, and/or have not met the residency rules.

We can check eligibility should any of the above apply and also give an accurate estimate of student finance.