Funding for Access to HE course with already obtained CertHE?

Hi there,
My partner is currently on a CertHE course in Computer Science (only tuition fee funding available) and has decided he’d like to combine his creative skills with his computer skills towards a future degree in Animation/VFX/Modelling.
Therefore, he’s looking into possibly enrolling into a Access to HE course in Art and Design,or VFX, after he’s completed his CertHE in Computer Science, so that he can gain access to the mentioned degree subjects.
My question is, once he’s completed the CertHE, would he then be able to receive student funding/Advanced Learner Loan (tuition fees only) for the Access to HE Art and Design course?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Kind regards
Zara

ALL has no restrictions on eligibility for previous study.
The previous study on the CertHE may impact eligibility for funding for a degree though. It may be worth looking for a part time Access to HE Diploma that would allow your partner to work and save alongside their studies

@zararoxx
Hi 🙂 I've taught on Access to HE for over 10 years, the other poster is correct. It sounds like your partner would make a great access students, we have a few learners on our program this year who already have A levels, and in the past one had a Masters (I work in an F.E College). The unique selling point of an Access course is the student loan you get for it is completely written off when you complete your degree
Marc
Arden University Student Ambassador

Thank you for your input regarding the situation, and we’ll keep that in mind for the degree study, as we wouldn’t want his work before degree level to be wasted if he isn’t able to get funding for all of the required years at degree level for something like animation! Do you think the best thing to do would be to withdraw from the CertHE course? and instead take a couple of level 3 courses related to computing and art and design for now?

Thank you!

Which CertHE is he currently studying on?
For student finance purposes previous study counts as a year whether a student studied for 3 weeks or 50 weeks of the year so early withdrawal is often irrelevant

Thank you for your reply!

He’s studying the CertHE in Computer Science at the University of Essex Online.

Thank you,

In that case yes it would make sense to leave the course before any award is made.
Part time/distance learning only counts as previous study if it results in a qualification so by leaving before the end of the course he wouldn't have any previous study.
If he completes the course he'd have 2 years of previous study (because the course is longer than 12 months) and so wouldn't be eligible for a tuition fee loan for year 1 of a new degree course.

Thank you for your input regarding the situation, and we’ll keep that in mind for the degree study, as we wouldn’t want his work before degree level to be wasted if he isn’t able to get funding for all of the required years at degree level for something like animation! Do you think the best thing to do would be to withdraw from the CertHE course? and instead take a couple of level 3 courses related to computing and art and design for now?
Thank you!