Very unique circumstance I need advice on (SFE eligibility)

Hi everyone,
I have a bit of a unique situation and would really appreciate some advice regarding student finance.
I’m 27 and will soon be starting university in London. Back in 2020, I began a foundation year but dropped out before progressing to the first year, as I realized the course wasn't right for me.
Fast forward to 2025, I have been offered and accepted a place on a 3-year History and Language BA. I understand that I am likely eligible for full funding (tuition and maintenance) for the 3-year duration, despite my previous study.
However, my preferred course is actually a 4-year Japanese Studies BA with international experience, which includes a year abroad in Japan. Initially, I was only offered a foundation year route for this course, without the year abroad, which led me to accept the History course instead.
Following some back-and-forth with the admissions team, I managed to speak directly with a decision-maker. They advised that, depending on my performance in the first year of the History and Language BA, I may be allowed to transfer into the second year of the Japanese Studies BA with international experience.
This creates a potential funding issue. If I successfully transfer, I would need funding for four years in total, despite starting on a three-year course. I also used up one year of student finance funding during my foundation year in 2020.
My main questions are:
- If I transfer from a 3-year course to a 4-year course after my first year, how would this impact my tuition and maintenance loan eligibility?
- How does student finance work during the year abroad? How much maintenance support is typically provided?
- Given my previous study (the foundation year in 2020), would I be required to self-fund any part of my tuition due to exceeding the standard funding allowance?
I’ve tried contacting Student Finance England, but it's been difficult to get through to someone who can clarify this specific situation. If anyone has had a similar experience or can offer any insight, I would be incredibly grateful. It’s been quite stressful trying to piece this together, and I want to be as prepared as possible.
Thank you so much in advance!

Hi Haydon,
Have you just studied the 1 year previously? If so, this won't impact your current course and you'd be funded for all years of the new course (regardless if you do a 3 year or a 4 year course). If you begin a 3 year one and then decide to do a 4 year course. Would it be the same course just with a year abroad? Thanks, Jason

Hi Jason,
Thanks so much for the quick reply!
Yes, I’ve only studied for 1 year previously – it was a foundation year as part of a 4-year Business Studies degree, but I didn’t progress beyond that. I only received funding for that single foundation year.
The situation with my current and potential future course is a little different. I’m currently enrolled in a 3-year History and Language BA. The course I hope to switch to is a 4-year Japanese Studies and Language BA with a year abroad.
They’re both at the same university and within the same department, but they are considered separate courses (it’s not just adding a year abroad to my current course). The admissions tutor say they overlap quite a lot in terms of modules though.
I hope that clears things up, but let me know if you need any more details.

If you do change from a 3 to a 4 year course (and it's the same course) then we'd need the university to update us of this so we can ensure you get funded for all years of the course.
If it's a full year abroad you'd be assessed still for the maintenance loan
You'd only need to self fund if you change to a new course after doing year 1 in 25/26. If it's a brand new course then you wouldn't be funded for the fees for year 1 of the course 26/27 unless you previously left a course due to reasons outwith your control. Thanks, Jason

Hi there,
If you have ay further questions you can ask us on this platform.
Thanks, Drew

HI there,
Just to confirm then you have done one year a previous course. You are currently in year 1 of another course and then in the 2025/26 academic year you want to start another course but direct entry into 2nd year and this course will have a further 3 years to go ?
Thanks, Drew