Gap year abroad + UK residency?

If you take a gap year abroad, where you spend the majority of the year living in another country/-ies, does this mean you aren't eligible for student finance?

The directgov site says that to qualify you must:

have been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for the three years immediately before starting the course, other than wholly or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education

...

However, you may still qualify for the standard student finance package, even if you don't meet these residence requirements.

I ask because I am planning on spending the next 1-2 years abroad (in Germany), only returning to the UK at Christmas/whatever, and I'm not so keen on having to stick around in the UK for another 3 years before uni to be eligible again! (And no way can I afford to study without maintenance loan/grant).

I'm also contemplating not coming back to the UK at all and going to university in Germany - does anyone know anything about finance for that? Obviously I can't get UK finance for studying abroad, but is there any kind of help there for EU students?

{nb. I currently live in England, have lived here for 12 years and am a British citizen. }

Thanks in advance!

Reply 1

Greenmile

No. It would be fine so long as it's not more than 2 years there should be no problem. You would need to put it on your form for student finance, but if you put 'gap year' as your reason, you are still classed as ordinarily resident because Britain is still your home. (ie you won't be permanently moving)

Reply 2

Pri3kr

Hi, can you post an update on what you ended up doing and if your UK residency was affected? I am in a similar situation. Temporarily moved abroad due to Covid and now looking at finishing year 13 abroad. And possibly gap year abroad. Worried about my home student status. UK citizen and completed reception till year 12 in the UK. Thanks!