The Student Room Group

Student Finance - PGCE

Hi, I am hoping to do a PGCE in 2025 but I am worried about my eligibility for student finance.

I have been teaching English in Thailand, I am currently in my second year. I have read that you need to be resident in the UK for 3 years before your course. However, I also read that people have been accepted for student finance when they had been teaching abroad before retiring to the the UK to do a PGCE.

I am on a non immigrant visa, I am on a yearly contract at my school with a yearly renewed work permit. I have returned to the UK 3 times to my family residence during my time teaching in Thailand.

I have paperwork, visa stamps etc to prove that I am not a permanent resident in Thailand. I have a UK bank account also.

Could you give me any idea of if I would be eligible for tuition fees and student loan?

Thank you
Hi there,

Can you confirm the full name of the course, what university will you attend and the duration of the course? Do you hold qualified teacher status? Would you have evidence to show that your break in residency was temporary? Have you also kept a link to the UK such as a bank account and do you still pay bills here?

Thanks, Drew
Hi Drew,

Thanks for the quick reply. I would ideally apply for more than one course, I believe the maximum is 5?

They would be as follows:
PGCE Secondary PE - Manchester Met
PGCE Secondary PE - Birmingham
PGCE Primary PE - Birmingham Newman
PGCE Primary - Derby
PGCE Primary - Nottingham
All courses are 1 year.

What evidence would be acceptable to show that my break in residency is only temporary?

I still have a U.K. bank account, I pay my credit card, HMRC bill and ITV subscription monthly. Is there anything else that could help my case such as phone contract etc?

Thanks,

Callum
Original post by callumgeorge83
Hi Drew,
Thanks for the quick reply. I would ideally apply for more than one course, I believe the maximum is 5?
They would be as follows:
PGCE Secondary PE - Manchester Met
PGCE Secondary PE - Birmingham
PGCE Primary PE - Birmingham Newman
PGCE Primary - Derby
PGCE Primary - Nottingham
All courses are 1 year.
What evidence would be acceptable to show that my break in residency is only temporary?
I still have a U.K. bank account, I pay my credit card, HMRC bill and ITV subscription monthly. Is there anything else that could help my case such as phone contract etc?
Thanks,
Callum

Hi Drew,

Just to confirm I don't have QTS already.

Thanks
Hi there,

We can accept your Temporary Visas or work permits. We can also accept your work contracts if they show your work was of a temporary nature.

Thanks, Drew
Original post by Drew SLC
Hi there,
We can accept your Temporary Visas or work permits. We can also accept your work contracts if they show your work was of a temporary nature.
Thanks, Drew

Hi Drew,

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

Callum
Original post by callumgeorge83
Hi Drew,
Thanks for the info, much appreciated.
Callum

You're welcome Callum. Any further queries please let us know.

Thanks,
Ross
If you have any further questions let us know 🙂 Thanks, Leah.

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