Second degree funding for Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Nursing

I took out a student loan (tuition and maintenance) for my first degree (BA History) from 2018-2021 and I graduated/completed the course.
It has taken a few years of working for me to discover that want to go back to university and do a second bachelors degree.

However I want to confirm the following:

1) Can I get full tuition fees covered for all 3 years of the course? Courses I am interested in possibly studying is Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Nursing (full-time). Ideal place to study is the University of Liverpool.

2) Can I get the maximum maintenance loan based on my household income if I took one out previously?

3) Will my bursaries like NHS learning support fund and low-income household bursary from the university be affected if I take out a tuition fee and maintenance loan again?

(edited 1 month ago)

Original post by Yisayuu

I took out a student loan (tuition and maintenance) for my first degree (BA History) from 2018-2021 and I graduated/completed the course.
It has taken a few years of working for me to discover that want to go back to university and do a second bachelors degree.
However I want to confirm the following:
1) Can I get full tuition fees covered for all 3 years of the course? Courses I am interested in possibly studying is Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Nursing (full-time). Ideal place to study is the University of Liverpool.
2) Can I get the maximum maintenance loan based on my household income if I took one out previously?
3) Will my bursaries like NHS learning support fund and low-income household bursary from the university be affected if I take out a tuition fee and maintenance loan again?

Hi there,

Yes, the courses you mentioned are normally exceptions. This means you'll be entitled to funding regardless of your previous study.

Do you know when you plan to start studying again?

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 2

Yisayuu

OP

2

Original post by Graeme SFE

Hi there,
Yes, the courses you mentioned are normally exceptions. This means you'll be entitled to funding regardless of your previous study.
Do you know when you plan to start studying again?
Thanks, Graeme

Yes 2025 September ideally. I know I have passed the application date but I am going to try apply regardless (worse case scenario start in September 2026).

So to clarify the tuition and maintanence will definitely be funded across all 3 years at the University of Liverpool for those courses? Thank you.

Hi Yisayuu, the full time undergraduate applications for the 2025/26 academic year are expected to be launched around March some point. You can follow us on social media such as Facebook or Twitter as soon as the applications are launched we would let you know on this platform. From the submission of the application we will be able to look to review the application up to the maximum award available depending on your circumstances. Thanks, Stephen.

Reply 4

Yisayuu

OP

2

Hi Stephen and Graeme,

I’ve spoken to University of Liverpool and they’ve been saying I could do a MSc Occupational Therapy (MSc) pre-register course instead of the BSc version (3 years).

My issue is that the MSc is technically a Masters, wouldn’t that mean it’s classified as a postgraduate course?
Hence wouldn’t I have to ask for Master’s Loan instead) I’ve searched and a Masters is just a one off payment of £12471. With each year of the Masters costing £9535 this means £19070 if I chose to do the MSc not BSc route…this is not enough.

Also even if was to get the tuition covered, I am worried would I still be able to get a full maintenance loan ? Would choosing to do the MSc route affect my ability to get the NHS Learning Support Fund? Therapy course?
Thanks

Reply 5

normaw

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

19

Original post by Yisayuu

Hi Stephen and Graeme,

I’ve spoken to University of Liverpool and they’ve been saying I could do a MSc Occupational Therapy (MSc) pre-register course instead of the BSc version (3 years).

My issue is that the MSc is technically a Masters, wouldn’t that mean it’s classified as a postgraduate course?
Hence wouldn’t I have to ask for Master’s Loan instead) I’ve searched and a Masters is just a one off payment of £12471. With each year of the Masters costing £9535 this means £19070 if I chose to do the MSc not BSc route…this is not enough.

Also even if was to get the tuition covered, I am worried would I still be able to get a full maintenance loan ? Would choosing to do the MSc route affect my ability to get the NHS Learning Support Fund? Therapy course?
Thanks

Pre-registration healthcare masters usually attract undergraduate funding - both tuition fee and maintenance loans. You would still be eligible to apply for the NHS LSF.

Hi Yisayuu,

It is still a Postgraduate Healthcare course however, it is undergraduate funding that the course attracts.

That means you apply as an undergraduate applicant for the Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Loan and any supplementary grants if applicable.

Thanks, Clare

Reply 7

Yisayuu

OP

2

But in the future if I wanted to do a Masters wouldn’t that mean I am not able to take out a Master’s Loan?

Also can I ask if it is mandatory for me to apply for MSc (pre-register) route, or am I able to do the BSc route? I’m afraid of submitting an application only to be rejected from all my choices.

Hi Yisayuu,

Nursing and Allied health professional courses are an exception to previous study rules, therefore if you wanted to study undergraduate again for those courses, you would be eligible for support also.

If you gain the masters level from the postgraduate healthcare course, that would be considered as an equal level qualification therefore it would affect your eligibility for the Postgraduate Loan in future if you were to attend a second masters course.

Thanks, Clare

Second degree funding for Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Nursing

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