The Student Room Group

Student finance eligibility

I’m an adult learner, I graduated in 2019, took max. amount of student loan for my undergraduate studies (tuition+maintenance). Straight after that started my PhD, used again maximum loans but did not finish the course. I had to withdraw due to changes in circumstances and the course wasn’t suitable for me.
I have now found an MSc that I would really love to do, but to my knowledge I have maxed out on student loans. I wasted a lot of money.
Is there anything I can get/do to do an MSc? I finally found something I’m passionate about.
Were you awarded an early exit award (MPhil usually) from your PhD?
Original post by szilvik07
I’m an adult learner, I graduated in 2019, took max. amount of student loan for my undergraduate studies (tuition+maintenance). Straight after that started my PhD, used again maximum loans but did not finish the course. I had to withdraw due to changes in circumstances and the course wasn’t suitable for me.
I have now found an MSc that I would really love to do, but to my knowledge I have maxed out on student loans. I wasted a lot of money.
Is there anything I can get/do to do an MSc? I finally found something I’m passionate about.

Hi there,

what is the course you're looking to study? Thanks, Jason
Reply 3
Were you awarded an early exit award (MPhil usually) from your PhD?

I haven`t got to that point unfortunately.
Reply 4
Original post by SFE Jason
Hi there,
what is the course you're looking to study? Thanks, Jason

Hi there, I`m looking to do an MSc in Business.
Original post by szilvik07
Hi there, I`m looking to do an MSc in Business.

Thanks for confirming.

If you don't mind me asking, what was the reason you withdrew from the course? What was the change of circumstances that happened?

Thanks, Ross
Original post by szilvik07
I haven`t got to that point unfortunately.


That's a good thing in terms of future funding - holding a masters (of any sort) would make you ineligible for a masters loan
Reply 7
Original post by Ross SLC
Thanks for confirming.
If you don't mind me asking, what was the reason you withdrew from the course? What was the change of circumstances that happened?
Thanks, Ross

I had some personal issues that changed my living situation and everything around me. It was a had decision, but i had to start a full-time job.
Original post by szilvik07
I had some personal issues that changed my living situation and everything around me. It was a had decision, but i had to start a full-time job.

Was there extenuating circumstances?

Thanks, Ross
Reply 9
Original post by Ross SLC
Was there extenuating circumstances?
Thanks, Ross

No serious illness or death of a close relative. It was more financial than anything else.
HI there. The only way to apply for another MSc in Business would be if you apply for Compelling Personal Reasons. If you could not complete your course year due to personal reason, you may be able to receive an additional year of funding if you provide evidence of this. The evidence depends on your personal circumstances.

For example, we can accept photocopies of the following;

-Letter from a GP on headed paper
-Letter from University on headed paper (university the circumstances took place in)
-Letter from Social Services on headed paper
-Letter from clergy or professional person on headed paper
-Death Certificate and/or a Birth Certificate

The evidence must be;
- Signed and dated
-Confirms the reason why you could not continue with your studies and
- When this took place

You will also need to send this with a letter from yourself explaining what has happened, in your own words and how this impacted you ability to continue. Thanks, Leah.
Original post by Leah SLC
HI there. The only way to apply for another MSc in Business would be if you apply for Compelling Personal Reasons. If you could not complete your course year due to personal reason, you may be able to receive an additional year of funding if you provide evidence of this. The evidence depends on your personal circumstances.

For example, we can accept photocopies of the following;

-Letter from a GP on headed paper
-Letter from University on headed paper (university the circumstances took place in)
-Letter from Social Services on headed paper
-Letter from clergy or professional person on headed paper
-Death Certificate and/or a Birth Certificate

The evidence must be;
- Signed and dated
-Confirms the reason why you could not continue with your studies and
- When this took place

You will also need to send this with a letter from yourself explaining what has happened, in your own words and how this impacted you ability to continue. Thanks, Leah.


OP doesn't have an MSc
They started a PhD with a doctoral loan but left without any exit award

I can't see anything in https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/1981/pg-sfe-masters-guidance-ay-2324-v20.pdf about exclusion for a previous doctoral loan as long as the student doesn't hold an MPhil (or other masters degree) or higher qualification and there's no use of previous study to reduce the number of credits on the masters degree.
(edited 7 months ago)
OP doesn't have an MSc
They started a PhD with a doctoral loan but left without any exit award
I can't see anything in https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/1981/pg-sfe-masters-guidance-ay-2324-v20.pdf about exclusion for a previous doctoral loan as long as the student doesn't hold an MPhil (or other masters degree) or higher qualification and there's no use of previous study to reduce the number of credits on the masters degree.

Yes, that's true.

Just to clarify, so long as the student doesn't have a Masters then they should be fine to apply for the Masters Loan.

OP, please see here for more details: https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan

Thanks, Graeme

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