Dropping out of 2nd Year of Uni and restarting at a new uni - Funding

Hello, sorry for the long post but to give some context, I've explained my situation.

I'm two weeks into my 2nd year of Uni in my small hometown. In my first year I really struggled, I had a serious situation the first month in that severly impacted my studies - I had 50% attendance. Alongside uni I was talking to the police, recieving victim support and had a doctors note. I managed to keep my head above the water with defferals on my assignments and pass the first year. I was still struggling through summer and auto-piloted into second year. I realise now two weeks in, that this degree and location isnt aligned with me. I have a good job in the industry I'm studying, but cannot manage a 72hr uni/work week, I need to make a choice and I can't stay in this small town after everything focusing on my studies. I've also realised that I didn't learn anything I should have in the first year due to my circumstances.

I know the best thing for me would to take the year save some money, do lots of rebuilding of my self and preparation for my next steps.

I would like to restart my degree and apply in for 2025 applications in a new place - its traumatic staying in my small town. But I don't know how the funding would work as I'm only early on into the second year. I've planned a meeting but I'm trying to find everything out I can as soon as I can. I just don't know how the funding will work as this might count as two years but I have very good reason and supporting documentation from a numerous of professionals I can use to support the reasons for my decision.

Any advice would be so helpful!! Thank you!

Reply 1

Graeme SFE

Official Rep

Original post by sxienero

Hello, sorry for the long post but to give some context, I've explained my situation.
I'm two weeks into my 2nd year of Uni in my small hometown. In my first year I really struggled, I had a serious situation the first month in that severly impacted my studies - I had 50% attendance. Alongside uni I was talking to the police, recieving victim support and had a doctors note. I managed to keep my head above the water with defferals on my assignments and pass the first year. I was still struggling through summer and auto-piloted into second year. I realise now two weeks in, that this degree and location isnt aligned with me. I have a good job in the industry I'm studying, but cannot manage a 72hr uni/work week, I need to make a choice and I can't stay in this small town after everything focusing on my studies. I've also realised that I didn't learn anything I should have in the first year due to my circumstances.
I know the best thing for me would to take the year save some money, do lots of rebuilding of my self and preparation for my next steps.
I would like to restart my degree and apply in for 2025 applications in a new place - its traumatic staying in my small town. But I don't know how the funding would work as I'm only early on into the second year. I've planned a meeting but I'm trying to find everything out I can as soon as I can. I just don't know how the funding will work as this might count as two years but I have very good reason and supporting documentation from a numerous of professionals I can use to support the reasons for my decision.
Any advice would be so helpful!! Thank you!

Hi there,

Thanks for explaining your situation. Can you please tell us what kind of course you want to study now?

Will this be full-time?

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 2

sxienero

I'm currently studying Visual Communication but I'd like to do a course more specific to Film and Television Production. Yes, it would be full-time.

Thanks for the reply!

Reply 3

David SLC

Official Rep

Thank you. Can you also please confirm if you have any other previous study other than the first year of the course you are currently on? Thanks again, David

Reply 4

sxienero

Original post by David SLC

Thank you. Can you also please confirm if you have any other previous study other than the first year of the course you are currently on? Thanks again, David

I've recieved a BTEC L3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media and Technology and then As and Bs at GCSE, I've talked to my faculty leader and I believe I've earnt a Level 4 qualification for the first year of this course

Reply 5

SFE Jason

Official Rep

Hi there, when in 2025 are you looking to begin your new course? Is it September? Thanks, Jason

Reply 6

sxienero

Yeah hopefully looking to apply to begin in september thanks

Reply 7

Ross SLC

Official Rep

Original post by sxienero

Yeah hopefully looking to apply to begin in september thanks

Thanks for confirming.

Applications for 25/26 will be live around March/April next year.

Have you received any payments for your second year of your current course?

Thanks,
Ross

Reply 8

sxienero

It's currently processing with student awards, however, I withdrew before the course would require funding for the first semester, so I think it should be okay. I'm yet to get a response from funding to confirm but now it would be in regards to whether I would be able to recieve funding to repeat a first year at a new university with my circumstances.

Reply 9

Drew SLC

Official Rep

Hi there,

So just to confirm you withdrew from your studies in the 2nd year before any payments like the Maintenance Loan or Tuition Fee Loan have been paid?

Thanks, Drew

Reply 10

sxienero