Student finance

Hello, wondering if I can get some help before applying please.

I’m currently studying with the Open University and by May 25th will have completed two modules (120 credits), I started February 2020.

I’d like to apply to Birkbeck to start this October 2021 on a foundation year full time, same course. The reason I’d like to apply for the foundation year is that Birkbeck have advised me with my educational background I would likely only be accepted for foundation year. After successful completion of this year I go straight into year two, full time. So the foundation is equivalent to year one. (3 years in total full time).

The other option is to apply for year one (not foundation), but Birkbeck have advised I’ll likely only be considered for part time. This will take four years instead of three.

Student finance have already funded my OU 120 credits.

Am I likely to get funding for either of these options?

Many thanks in advance.

Hi Isaac,

Thanks very much for your help. I've heard that the OU issue a "Milestone" certificate, should you ring up and ask for it, once I come to the end of this current module. However I have no plans on applying for this. My preference would be to start Birkbeck full time, but again this might depend on the response of student finance! I'm 43 so my responses to the eligibility calculator online are a little irrelevant (For example I do not live with parents). If I received the full maintenance loan I would like to drop a couple of work days to enable me to dedicate more time on studies. If I did not receive the full amount I'd likely have to apply for part time instead. Thanks for any advice! (I am a low earner, £21,800 and single)

Thanks so much for your advice Isaac! Yes, the two modules with the OU is my only other previous (highest) education. I don't hold any other qualifications other than a handful of GCSE's some twenty odd years ago. It's great to know, I had assumed I wouldn't be able to get the loan so wasn't going to apply! Is it possible I'd get the highest maintenance loan do you think? I'd be living outside of London travelling into London - four evenings a week should my application be successful. Thanks again.

Many thanks!

Out of interest, can you please confirm, if my previous part time study does not have an impact on my intention to start full time at a brick uni (I will not obtain a qualification), do I then have the freedom to change subject if I wanted to? Or would I have to stick to the same subject?

Would I apply as a continuing student or new?

Finally, the course I intend to apply for is titled “psychology with accelerated foundation year (BSc) 4-year, full time. But, upon successful completion of the foundation year pupils can jump straight onto year two (meaning only three years of funding). I am definitely likely to receive funding for this?
Thanks in advance.

Many thanks!

Out of interest, can you please confirm, if my previous part time study does not have an impact on my intention to start full time at a brick uni (I will not obtain a qualification), do I then have the freedom to change subject if I wanted to? Or would I have to stick to the same subject?

Would I apply as a continuing student or new?

Finally, the course I intend to apply for is titled “psychology with accelerated foundation year (BSc) 4-year, full time. But, upon successful completion of the foundation year pupils can jump straight onto year two (meaning only three years of funding). I am definitely likely to receive funding for this?
Thanks in advance.

I need help can I apply while I have presettle status scheme and also I don’t have any qualification.So what are the requirements that they should need me?

Hi, Sorry, just wanted to make sure this didn't get lost. Many thanks! Mainly I'm now not sure whether I should be applying for new or continuing, as my course title will be the same but at a new university, from the beginning!

Thanks very much Isaac.

For example, I studied psychology BSc with the open university part time, and plan to carry on psychology at Birkbeck. However, I was wondering if I could change qualification entirely, just out of interest. Could I chose to study Biomedicine BSc or English Literature, for example. Thanks again.

Thanks Isaac.

I have just completed and submitted my student finance application. I clicked that I'd like to apply for the highest amount of maintenance loan, which will be based on my earnings (I'm pretty sure it said). However, it did not ask me for my earnings! Do you think I have done soething wrong and need to contact SFE by phone? I have previously uploaded my P60 for my daughter's application, do you think the system knows they already have this document and that's why it hasn't prompted me? Shall I just sit back and wait? Many thanks.

Thank you for all your help.