Part time student loans

So thinking of doing a part time undergrad online but really confused about PT student loans for fees and after some advice!

Can’t decide if I wanna go for 4 or 6 years. Can I be optimistic and go for 4 but then switch to 6 if I want more time? How does the loan work then? How much will I get?

And what happens if I fail any modules? Can I get more loan to cover me for retakes?

Reply 1

David SLC

Official Rep

Original post by Sapphire56

So thinking of doing a part time undergrad online but really confused about PT student loans for fees and after some advice!
Can’t decide if I wanna go for 4 or 6 years. Can I be optimistic and go for 4 but then switch to 6 if I want more time? How does the loan work then? How much will I get?
And what happens if I fail any modules? Can I get more loan to cover me for retakes?

Hi there. Do you have any other previous study either Full Time or Part Time or is this your first time applying/studying? Thanks, David

Reply 2

Sapphire56

Original post by David SLC

Hi there. Do you have any other previous study either Full Time or Part Time or is this your first time applying/studying? Thanks, David

I’ve never been to uni before, this would be my first time

Reply 3

Graeme SFE

Official Rep

Original post by Sapphire56

I’ve never been to uni before, this would be my first time

Hi there,

Thanks, as a part-time student you have a total of 16 years of funding to claim.

So, you can initially apply for 4 years and then change this later if you need to, that's no problem. For part-time courses we normally pay a maximum of £6,750 per academic year.

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 4

Sapphire56

Thanks Graeme, but still a bit confused! Are you saying I can get £6750 per year for the extra 2 years? (Or really that much per year for up to 16 years?!) with the part time loan? I presume taking less than that is fine as it will just be what the uni charge me right?

Also if I did extend from 4 to 6 years, do you know if someone like OU normally charges a full year of fees for the extra 2 years? Worried I could end up making it very expensive with a huge loan if I need more time and have to pay full fees for more years!!

Reply 5

Ross SLC

Official Rep

Original post by Sapphire56

Thanks Graeme, but still a bit confused! Are you saying I can get £6750 per year for the extra 2 years? (Or really that much per year for up to 16 years?!) with the part time loan? I presume taking less than that is fine as it will just be what the uni charge me right?
Also if I did extend from 4 to 6 years, do you know if someone like OU normally charges a full year of fees for the extra 2 years? Worried I could end up making it very expensive with a huge loan if I need more time and have to pay full fees for more years!!

Hi there,

The £6750 is for the cost of the course each year which can vary. As Graham advised you would have up to 16 years worth of funding so if you extend from 4 to 6 years then you would be covered.

With the Fees for Open university it would be up to them to decide what the cost is for an additional 2 years.

Thanks, Ross