Tuition fee loan for second degree

Hi,

I have previously completed a BSc in Biological Sciences, and I'm now looking to study for a BSc or MPhys in Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology. I wish to take advantage of the part-time tuition fee loan available for exception (STEM) subjects. However, I have the following questions:

1) I am still paying off my student loan in respect of my first degree - will this affect my eligibility for the part-time tuition fee loan for the second degree?

2) I am looking to undertake the second degree via the OpenPlus scheme with the Open University and Lancaster University. Under this mode of study, the initial modules are studied part-time with the Open University (I could study these under the R28 Combined Stem Degree). Once they have been completed, the remainder of the course is full-time study at Lancaster University (years 2 and 3 for the BSc F3FM, or years 2/3/4 for the MPhys F3F5). Although the study at Lancaster University will be full-time, the course as a whole is part-time due to the initial OU study. Will I be eligible for the part-time tuition fee loan for second degrees for the entire course, or just the initial OU study?

Many thanks.

Hi, I will answer your questions in order.

1. No.

2. You wouldn't be funded for the full time course if it's not a full time exceptions course as your previous study will affect eligibility.

Thanks, Isaac

Hi Isaac, many thanks for your reply. I understand that a purely full-time course wouldn't be eligible unless it's a full-time exceptions course. But what about my specific example, i.e. starting an eligible course on a part-time basis, and then switching to full-time part-way through the course? Is it sufficient that the course starts as part time? Is eligibility for the tuition fee loan determined only at the start of the course, or is it re-assessed at the start of each academic year?

It's not possible to switch from a part time course to a full time course.

Hi Isaac, many thanks for your further reply. It's this bit that I'm struggling with - the OpenPlus course seems designed to do exactly that, namely provide a route to study for a single degree course in which you study the first year modules part time, then transition to full time study for the remaining years. See here... https://www.open.ac.uk/choose/openplus/ ...where it says that "With OpenPlus you start studying part time at home through supported learning with The Open University (OU). You will also attend a residential school. You complete your degree by studying two years full time at your chosen partner university." I'm just struggling to understand how this fits in with the part-time tuition fee loan for second degrees, as it seems to be a single course that switches from part-time to full-time part-way through.

That might be something they offer but it goes against our regulations so it's not something we would support due to the regulation I mentioned in my last post.

Thanks, Isaac

Hi Isaac, many thanks for the further clarification. If that's the case, then I won't be able to undertake that course.

I have found a potential alternative, which is the University of Central Lancashire, which offers physics degrees on a fully part-time basis. The UCAS code for the Physics with Astrophysics BSc (Hons) degree is F3F5, which can be studied part-time over 5 years. The UCAS code for the Physics with Astrophysics MPhys degree is F3FM, which can be studied part-time over 6 years. Can you confirm if both of these course would be eligible for the part-time tuition fee loan for a second degree?

Hi , these part time courses are exception courses so you would be funded regardless of previous study.
Thanks, Isaac

Hi Isaac, sorry for resurrecting this old thread, but do you know when the window will open for student finance applications in respect of part time degrees starting in September this year?