Leaving my uni - student finance?

Hello,

I want to leave my university as I am unhappy with the course and experience. I am reapplying for September 2025 to start a 3 year degree somewhere else. My question is regarding student finance - I have been granted the maximum maintenance loan and have received the first payment. My question is, if I change unis, will they still offer finance for this new course? And will I have to pay back the amount owed immediately? I cannot afford this in the slightest. Also, if I leave now, I’m sure they would find a way of cancelling the maintenance loan, however, would I still owe £9250 for the entire of the first year course even though I’ve only done a term?

Thank you

The student finance calculation for a new course is:
Length of new course + 1 (gift) year - years of previous study
So for you: 3 + 1 - 1 = 3 years of funding for your new course
If you intend to leave at the end of this term, you will be charged 25% of the tuition fee. This will already have been paid directly to your uni from SFE, and it is repayable under your standard loan terms (ie from the April after graduation if you earn above the threshold). Future maintenance loan payments will be stopped when you officially withdraw from uni. Your maintenance loan is calculated to cover you through the holidays, so try to time your withdrawal to the week before your new term starts. By doing this you won't have to make any immediate repayments of the maintenance loan that you received for this term (if you withdraw now, you might need to repay 2-3 weeks of loan).
Make sure you go through the correct channels to formally withdraw from your uni. Your uni will inform SFE.
Bear in mind that it is likely that you will still be liable to pay for your accommodation fees. Check through your contract carefully. If this is the case, you need to consider if it is worth completing the year while applying to a different uni for next year.

What about if I switch to degree apprenticeships, would I still get a gift year?

You don't get student funding for a degree apprenticeship. You are paid a wage by your employer, and your employer and the government pay tuition fees.

I meant am I still liable to pay for the first year for a degree in uni even if I drop out for a degree apprenticeships?

Hello,
I want to leave my university as I am unhappy with the course and experience. I am reapplying for September 2025 to start a 3 year degree somewhere else. My question is regarding student finance - I have been granted the maximum maintenance loan and have received the first payment. My question is, if I change unis, will they still offer finance for this new course? And will I have to pay back the amount owed immediately? I cannot afford this in the slightest. Also, if I leave now, I’m sure they would find a way of cancelling the maintenance loan, however, would I still owe £9250 for the entire of the first year course even though I’ve only done a term?
Thank you

Yes - if you have been attending uni, you are liable for the tuition fees.

Would the "gift year" apply in this case?