Eligibility - dental hygiene as a second degree

Hi,
I am currently a trainee dental nurse interested in studying dental hygiene at the University of Portsmouth, starting in either 2025 or 2026.
I already have a degree in music so this would be a second degree.
There seems to be a lot of different information regarding second degree loans and I can’t seem to find a definitive answer to whether dental hygiene qualifies for funding in my circumstances.
I would love to know if I would be able to get tuition and maintenance loans via SFE for this degree.
Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you.
Ellie

Hi Ellie,
What is the full name of the course and university? Thanks, Jason

Hi Jason, thanks for your reply! It is Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy BSc (Hons) at the University of Portsmouth.

Hi Ellie,
Can you confirm how long the course would be?
Thanks,
Claire

Hi Claire, it is a 3-year full time course. I’d also like to add that I am 22 years old so think i would be considered a mature student. Not sure if thats necessary information but thought I’d just let you know ☺️

Thanks Ellie!
If you're under 25 we don't class you as independent unless you have self supported for 3 years before the start of your course.
We normally don't fund second degrees unless its in one of our exception courses. The course Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy 3 years FT at Portsmouth University shows its one of our exceptions as its an Allied Health Professional Course (AHP). This means funding on a new AHP or NHS course will be exempt from previous study and ELQ rules. Therefore if you already hold a degree or have previous study, you should still be eligible to access the full package of funding. Nothing would be definite till you apply and the assessors can review this.
Thanks,
Claire

Thanks Ellie!
If you're under 25 we don't class you as independent unless you have self supported for 3 years before the start of your course.
We normally don't fund second degrees unless its in one of our exception courses. The course Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy 3 years FT at Portsmouth University shows its one of our exceptions as its an Allied Health Professional Course (AHP). This means funding on a new AHP or NHS course will be exempt from previous study and ELQ rules. Therefore if you already hold a degree or have previous study, you should still be eligible to access the full package of funding. Nothing would be definite till you apply and the assessors can review this.
Thanks,
Claire

Also would this full funding be for tuition and maintenance?

That's correct. They'll assess this to determine your eligibility for the full funding (fees and maintenance). Thanks, Jason

Great, one last question as I have seen this mentioned elsewhere. Is the funding affected by me already being a dental nurse? Once I qualify I will be registered with the GDC so does this affect my eligibility? Thanks

The guidelines state, if the student is already registered in the profession they are studying towards, they then are not eligible for the finance.
I would suggest speaking to your university to query alternative funding options.
Thanks,
Claire

Hi Elliep766,
The same rule would apply as you are registered in that field.
Thanks, Clare

Hi Ellie. The response you were given is correct, if you de-register or don't register with the GDC you would still be considered as registered in the field. For this case and future cases, I will feed back about this and request that more clarity is provided to make this information more accessible but going from the guidelines at our side this information is correct. Thanks again, David