How your previous study affects you

Student Money Week 2017

Have you studied at uni or college before? Find out about how this can affect the student finance you can get.

Ruth is an Education Guidance Adviser at the University of Wolverhampton specialising in Student Finance queries.

(edited 8 years ago)

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Reply 1

AJTrimnell1

Hello,

If you have used your gift year (had two years of finance) and you start a new course, you would have to pay for the first year of your course then you would receive finance for the following years. However, I have been told that if I were to start a new course next year I would receive full funding for all years (the tuition fee loan and maintenance loan) because of the changes and scrapping of the grant, is this correct?

Thank you

Reply 2

MJEdwards

Hello, I'm applying to study BSc Occupational Therapy as a mature student and have previously had a student loan plus a career development loan. I'm aware that students on NHS funded courses can normally apply for a reduced maintenance loan from SLC in addition to the NHS bursary but I'm not sure whether I will be eligible to do so, having already has a loan from SLC? I'm a bit concerned about how I will be able to cover my living costs without an additional loan.

Reply 3

Random.guy

Hi I am a graduate planning on going into undergraduate dentistry as a mature student (I have interviews with a few universities already). I did not take a student loan for my first degree and had to privately fund it (was not so bad at the time as it was only 3.5k then) as I was studying abroad as an expat so didn't qualify for the 3 years before uni starts at the time even though I am a british citizen. However, now that I have been living in the UK for 5+ years what funding would I be able to get from the SLC to help fund my course, or what help is available? I really don't want to not be able to take this course due to lack of funds. :frown:

PS. I am on a normal 5 year undergrad course not the 4 year fast track graduate course.

Reply 4

Littlestar121

So.

I would really like to apply for Medicine in the next year or so once I've managed to get my head fully around the admission process!

I have always been fascinated by medicine/surgery from about 4 years old. However, at school I didn't do outstandingly in my GCSEs and my A Level grades were definitely not to a standard suitable for an application to Med School. My parents also would never have been able to afford to send me to university either.

11 years on, I have a job in the NHS as a midwife, I qualified with a first class degree after finding out I was dyslexic in my second undergraduate year.

I would still love to apply for medicine as a second degree.

I do have a couple of queries which I will share and ask for advice/opinion as to the next steps.

I am 27 years old and although I am aware there are older candidates that will be applying, I do feel concerned that this may not be a good time to apply as I wonder if I was to meet someone and want a family, my childbearing years may likely clash with medical training-What are the experiences of others in this situation? Is it possible to combine studies with this?

Finances-I am trying desperately to clear the outstanding debts that I have from University. I have had a student loan already for my previous degree and I can't see how I can fund tuition fees (may be able to get a TF loan as never took one out before) and living costs for the duration of the training. What do the banks offer for prospective medical students-is there any other help for candidates who cannot rely on family support?

Am I eligible given what I have mentioned of my education history here? I am very aware of the current pressures in the NHS from talking with my colleagues and I am also aware how extremely competitive medical school places are becoming. Anyone reading this who would know-what are your thoughts and what would you suggest is realistic? The doctors I work with have been very supportive and suggested I would have no problem?

I keep coming back to the thought of applying again and again-I think it is time to give it my best shot and hope I am successful. I have spent far too many years thinking about this! I just hope I can get the support and funding I need to make this dream a reality.

Thanks for reading!

Reply 5

nmp1983

Hi hope someone can help... I have already had funding for a degree, if I do a nursing degree will I still get help with the full 3 years tuition fees or is it only 2? a friend said I would have to pay for the 1st year myself? thanks nicci xxx

Reply 6

_Bright Eyes

If I wanted to be a medical doctor or a vet, but already took out student loans for a first undergraduate degree, unless I win the lottery am I ****ed?

Reply 7

KyleXC

Is there a way to get funding for a second degree or is it practically impossible to change your career unless you're filthy rich?

Reply 8

Chalex2016

Hi there I have done 3 previous years of study and only gained a HNC and am wanting to start a full time degree again now in the 2016/2017 year. This will not be relevant to my HNC qualification so it will be a brand new degree of 3 years. I know that I will be blocked for the first 2 years of study from receiving tuition fees but I've been told that as my tution fees will be blocked for the first 2 years that During those first 2 years will only receive the non income assessed part of the maintenance loan even though my income is very much below 25,000 can you confirm this? They also told me I won't get PLA even though I have 3 children?

Can someone confirm this please?

Reply 9

anonymous_1995

im a second year student going to drop my course. If i want to start a new course from level 1 i don't think i will get the £9000 in tuition fees for the first year, but would i still be able to apply for maintenance loan?

Reply 10

aalalex89

Hi! I am planning to get Finance Bachelor qualification in England. I already have Master degree of Law, received in Lithuania. I have read that usually students can get loan for the first degree. So I have no chance to get financial support in my case or I just have really little chances? Two universities have already offered me places.

One more question. If I decide to apply for postgraduate courses, the rules of "first degree" are the same?

Thank yoU!

Reply 11

Kezkel

Original post by Student Money Week

Hi,
In September 2014 I started a 4 year psychology degree at university but dropped out in march 2015, due to personal issues. I am now going to be starting a new 3 psychology degree at a different university in September 2016.
I was wondering if I will get funding for all 3 years or if it will just be for the first 2 years as I have already had a years funding.
Thank you,
Kerry

Reply 12

Ruth Round

Unfortunatelynot no. The previous study rules will still apply so you will only get full fundingfor your second and third year. You can apply for the means-tested maintenanceloan only in year 1 but not the tuition fee loan.

Reply 13

Ruth Round

Original post by MJEdwards

Yes you canstill apply for the reduced rate of maintenance loan as an NHS-funded student.

Reply 14

Ruth Round

Original post by Random.guy

PS. I am on a normal 5 year undergrad course not the 4 year fast track graduate course.

Unfortunatelyhaving a degree already will mean that you cannot get full funding for anotherdegree – even if you self-funded the first course. As a dentistry student you can apply for themeans-tested maintenance loan but not the tuition fee loan.

Reply 15

Ruth Round

Original post by nmp1983

Students applyingfor Nursing courses starting in 2016 can apply for full funding from the NHS plusthe reduced rate of maintenance loan from SFE even if they have a degreealready.

Reply 16

Ruth Round

Original post by MJEdwards

Students applyingfor Nursing courses starting in 2016 can apply for full funding from the NHS plusthe reduced rate of maintenance loan from SFE even if they have a degreealready.

Reply 17

Ruth Round

Original post by _Bright Eyes

If I wanted to be a medical doctor or a vet, but already took out student loans for a first undergraduate degree, unless I win the lottery am I ****ed?

Unfortunatelyhaving a degree already will mean that you cannot get full funding for anotherdegree. As a medical student you can apply for the means-tested maintenanceloan but not the tuition fee loan.

Reply 18

Kezkel

Original post by Ruth Round

Hi can i just check whose post this relates to is it mine about having already had a years funding and now doing a 3 year degree. If so do you know anywhere else that would do a tuition fee loan

Reply 19

Ruth Round

Original post by aalalex89

Unfortunatelythe fact that you already hold a Masters level qualification means that youcannot receive further funding from SFE for either a degree or another Masterscourse. If you are looking to get into finance you may be better looking atprofessional qualifications such as ACCA or CIMA rather than another academicqualification.