Working Holiday Visa - am I eligible for student finance?

Hi there, I wonder if anyone could help me.

I am currently on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia, but I'm looking to apply for an Educational Psychology doctorate later this year. If successful, the course will begin next September (2026). I am concerned as the Student Finance England site states that, in order to be eligible for finance, you must have been "living in the UK 3 years in a row before the first day of the first academic year of your course (apart from temporary absences such as holidays)". Whilst my working holiday is very much temporary (we are coming home in December, meaning I would have been out of the UK for over a year), I would greatly appreciate some reassurance that I am still eligible for finance, and that my future plans have not been scuppered! I also have maintained links with the UK, e.g. UK bank accounts registered to my last UK address (my partner's parents' house). Additionally, our work contracts in Australia are "max term" (only fixed for 1 year). As well as this, I have tried to contact SFE via their live chat function but the "chat with us" button has never appeared for me during their opening hours (e.g. 9am UK time, 6pm Australia time). Another option is to call, but that's £1.40 a minute! Before I resort to writing a letter, if anyone could help me with this, I would greatly appreciate it. Many thanks.

Reply 1

SFE Jason

Official Rep

Original post

by ciaaraao97

Hi there, I wonder if anyone could help me.
I am currently on a Working Holiday Visa in Australia, but I'm looking to apply for an Educational Psychology doctorate later this year. If successful, the course will begin next September (2026). I am concerned as the Student Finance England site states that, in order to be eligible for finance, you must have been "living in the UK 3 years in a row before the first day of the first academic year of your course (apart from temporary absences such as holidays)". Whilst my working holiday is very much temporary (we are coming home in December, meaning I would have been out of the UK for over a year), I would greatly appreciate some reassurance that I am still eligible for finance, and that my future plans have not been scuppered! I also have maintained links with the UK, e.g. UK bank accounts registered to my last UK address (my partner's parents' house). Additionally, our work contracts in Australia are "max term" (only fixed for 1 year). As well as this, I have tried to contact SFE via their live chat function but the "chat with us" button has never appeared for me during their opening hours (e.g. 9am UK time, 6pm Australia time). Another option is to call, but that's £1.40 a minute! Before I resort to writing a letter, if anyone could help me with this, I would greatly appreciate it. Many thanks.

Hi Ciara,

Normally for UK students you need to have 3 years residency to qualify for the funding. If you are on a temporary break and have evidence of this then you can submit this when you apply

What could be classed as a temporary break?

•

Gap Year

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Holiday

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Study or Placement overseas

•

Voluntary Work overseas

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Student or your parent in active service for HM Armed Forces/National Service

•

Parents working abroad on a temporary contract of employment

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A letter from HEP confirming gap year

•

A letter from the employer on headed paper confirming temporary employment including dates

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A contract from the employer that clearly shows the employment is of a temporary nature

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A letter from HM armed services/Commanding Officer etc

•

Temporary visas or work permits

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Where evidence has been requested to show that you maintained a connection to the UK documents such as bank statements and utility bills can be reviewed

Dependent on the your situation, you may not have any of the evidence above (e.g. you went abroad, self-funded, no employment etc.). In these circumstances you should be advised to send any evidence of the break (e.g. copies of ticket receipts, accommodation lease, etc.) with a covering letter. This evidence will be deemed acceptable on a 'case-by-case' basis.

This can be digitally uploaded to your account after you apply.

Thanks, Jason

Reply 2

ciaaraao97