Master's of Architecture Maintenance funding

Hi All,

I am in my year out after completing a 3-year undergraduate degree in Architecture (Part 1, RIBA Accredited and ARB Certified course). I am presently applying for MArch courses which are 2 years long (21 months exactly) and have seen that you have to apply for undergraduate funding. My first question is will I be able to get student finance to cover the tuition costs for both years? (I have lived in the UK my whole life and only studied a BA Architecture course at undergraduate level for 3 yrs). Secondly, how do student maintenance loans work - especially because the universities class you as a postgraduate for accommodation and therefore it's charged per month? Where as undergraduate maintenance fees were designed for termly accommodation fees (and didn't even cover near that cost - let alone food, but I'll save that moan for another time).

Reply 1

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

Undergrad funding for an MArch includes tuition and maintenance loans. You may find that you are now eligible for more funding as you are older and have been financially independent for more then 3 years (while studying your undergraduate degree and in your work year). That would mean your household income would be your personal household income and not your parents.

You need to speak to your university about the payment periods for accommodation. They may be able to adjust the payments to an undergraduate pattern.

Reply 2

Claire SFE

Official Rep

Original post

by CoopsyUK

Hi All,
I am in my year out after completing a 3-year undergraduate degree in Architecture (Part 1, RIBA Accredited and ARB Certified course). I am presently applying for MArch courses which are 2 years long (21 months exactly) and have seen that you have to apply for undergraduate funding. My first question is will I be able to get student finance to cover the tuition costs for both years? (I have lived in the UK my whole life and only studied a BA Architecture course at undergraduate level for 3 yrs). Secondly, how do student maintenance loans work - especially because the universities class you as a postgraduate for accommodation and therefore it's charged per month? Where as undergraduate maintenance fees were designed for termly accommodation fees (and didn't even cover near that cost - let alone food, but I'll save that moan for another time).

Hi there,

If the course is eligible and yourself then you be awarded undergraduate finance which would be Tuition Fees, Maintenance Loan and Supplementary Grants if applicable. If you're under 25, and not self supported for 3 years before the start of your course, we would then need your parents household income to assess you for the means tested Maintenance Loan. You can use the online calculator for rough estimate on what you would be eligible for here https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator

Thanks,
Claire

Reply 3

CoopsyUK

Original post

by Claire SFE

Hi there,
If the course is eligible and yourself then you be awarded undergraduate finance which would be Tuition Fees, Maintenance Loan and Supplementary Grants if applicable. If you're under 25, and not self supported for 3 years before the start of your course, we would then need your parents household income to assess you for the means tested Maintenance Loan. You can use the online calculator for rough estimate on what you would be eligible for here https://www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator
Thanks,
Claire

Thank you Claire and PQ that was the information I was looking for and very helpful.