maintenance loan eligibility for next year

I was wondering whether i will be able to get a maintenance loan for next year. I am currently studying on a thin-sandwich degree. For the first half of next year, I'll be studying through Erasmus until the end of semester 1. Then after Christmas, my placement module starts which means I'll be doing a placement (probably abroad). Therefore, I was wondering whether I am still eligible to receive a maintenance loan as I won't be studying on my university campus at all but I'll still be enrolled in the course. The year after I'll be back on campus for the whole year (final year).

Thanks for your help

Hi Anthristudent3,

I just need to ask a couple of questions in order to help you there.

Will you be studying through Erasmus until after December?
When you go on placement after that, will it be paid or unpaid?
What kind of placement will it be? (for example, in a hospital).

Thank you,

John.

hi,

i'll be studying in Vienna from October to January 31st (), although i'll be taking a introductory German course that the university runs from the beginning of September.

the placement will be unpaid. I'm not sure exactly what placement i'll be doing but probably volunteering somewhere at a school or something similar.

Hi anthrostudent3,

I understand that you are undertaking study through erasmus till January, can I ask is it an Erasmus placement ?

Secondly if not, is the placement an integral part of the course?

Finally how much if any fees is the university charging you for the academic year abroad?

Thanks Rona

hi,
i don't think it is an erasmus placement. it would be an alternative to studying for the first term at my current university. The only reason why i would be studying till January is because the term at the university of Vienna is different to that of the UK- it starts at the beginning of October and finishes at the end of January. At the moment, i am theoretically going to study through as erasmus as i have not applied yet- my decision is dependent on whether i get a maintenance loan or not.

The placement is an integral part of my course.

I believe that the university will charge me £1000 for the year as it is technically the placement year (the 3rd year)- although my placement section is split between two terms, as it's a thin sandwich course.

Thank you for your help