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SFE Cannot Find MSc Course

Hello, I am in my final year of my master's degree I began in 2022/2023, and so this will be my fourth year part-time.

The course itself is 3 years part-time; however, I’ve done it over 4 years (I completed one module in 2024/2025).

I have applied to SFE for a master's loan; I completed a paper application, as online applications can only go back to 2024 (I started in September 2022).

I don’t have a previous master’s, nor have I applied to SFE England in the past.

SFE sent me a letter saying I’m ineligible. The letter states, "The course name you gave us does not match anything on our list of eligible courses supplied to us from your university or college. The course you’re studying may not be considered eligible for Postgraduate Master’s funding."

When I called them, they told me to contact the university to update the university portal for 2022/2023.

I’m not entirely sure what this means, but it suggests that they cannot see my course for the academic year 2022/2023, and therefore, the course is ineligible.

Strangely, when I did an online test application on SFE for another year, 2024/2025, the course did come up, so it is eligible. I’ve attached an image of this.

I'm still somewhat unsure as to what needs to happen. I've spoken to my university, and they have forwarded the issue to both records and finance. I'd appreciate it if this could be explained to me, and what else I have to do for it to be resolved.

Reply 1

Hi there. Would you mind confirming the full name of the course and university? Thanks, Leah.

Reply 2

Original post
by Leah SLC
Hi there. Would you mind confirming the full name of the course and university? Thanks, Leah.

Hello Leah,

Psychoanalytic Observational Studies is the official title.

On the test application I done on the SFE website, which was to see if it shows up on a different year, it comes up as the following:

Psychoanalytic Observational Studies PT

Image below:

PHOTO-2025-10-02-18-23-56.jpg

Reply 3

Original post
by husseyalan
Hello Leah,
Psychoanalytic Observational Studies is the official title.
On the test application I done on the SFE website, which was to see if it shows up on a different year, it comes up as the following:
Psychoanalytic Observational Studies PT
Image below:
PHOTO-2025-10-02-18-23-56.jpg

Thanks for confirming this - the only problem here is that the course isn't available for the year you began.

So, on our system the first academic year for this course is 23/24, whereas you began it in the 22/23 year.

Your university just needs to make the course available for 22/23 and we'll then be able to progress with your application.

For example, as soon as they've told you they've done this please get in touch with us.

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 4

Original post
by Graeme SFE
Thanks for confirming this - the only problem here is that the course isn't available for the year you began.
So, on our system the first academic year for this course is 23/24, whereas you began it in the 22/23 year.
Your university just needs to make the course available for 22/23 and we'll then be able to progress with your application.
For example, as soon as they've told you they've done this please get in touch with us.
Thanks, Graeme

Thank you for this, Graeme.

Can I ask how the university changes it and what department. For example, is it student records or student finance? Is it something that has to be changed by the university on the portal?

I don't know if this is related, but my student records are incorrect in that it is currently showing that I am going into my second year when I am actually going into my fourth. I have contacted student records and they are going to amend this. Is this error with my year of study connected to the issue of the course not being available for the year I began?

Below is an image of my current record. I have yet to register as I want the year of study to be altered before I do so:

Screenshot 2025-10-03 at 09.34.46.png

Reply 5

Hi Graeme,

I've just spoken to the funding department, and they're going to alter the database as you recommended.

Once this has been done, it is a matter of contacting SFE? Do I need to complete a change of circumstance form?

Sincere thanks,

Alan

Reply 6

Original post
by husseyalan
Thank you for this, Graeme.
Can I ask how the university changes it and what department. For example, is it student records or student finance? Is it something that has to be changed by the university on the portal?
I don't know if this is related, but my student records are incorrect in that it is currently showing that I am going into my second year when I am actually going into my fourth. I have contacted student records and they are going to amend this. Is this error with my year of study connected to the issue of the course not being available for the year I began?
Below is an image of my current record. I have yet to register as I want the year of study to be altered before I do so:
Screenshot 2025-10-03 at 09.34.46.png

Your year of study isn't a problem for us, rest assured: all we need is for the course to be added to our course database. That's normally all we need to approve an application.

It's normally student records that would deal with this. Just to say, if they need any help you ask them to call our HEP Helpline (they'll have the number) and we'll be able to assist them.

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 7

Original post
by Graeme SFE
Your year of study isn't a problem for us, rest assured: all we need is for the course to be added to our course database. That's normally all we need to approve an application.
It's normally student records that would deal with this. Just to say, if they need any help you ask them to call our HEP Helpline (they'll have the number) and we'll be able to assist them.
Thanks, Graeme

I really appreciate this Graeme. I've spoken to the funding department and sent an email to create a paper trail. They have someone assigned to the SFE database so hopefully it will be actioned soon. I will then contact SFE to let them know.

Reply 8

Original post
by husseyalan
I really appreciate this Graeme. I've spoken to the funding department and sent an email to create a paper trail. They have someone assigned to the SFE database so hopefully it will be actioned soon. I will then contact SFE to let them know.

Thank you - when the university says it's been done please call our Postgraduate team and they'll get this sorted.

In case you didn't have the number, it's 0300 100 0031.

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 9

Original post
by Graeme SFE
Thank you - when the university says it's been done please call our Postgraduate team and they'll get this sorted.
In case you didn't have the number, it's 0300 100 0031.
Thanks, Graeme

Yes, I will do Graeme, thanks every so much for your help.

Lastly, can I just query the amount that I can apply for, given I've only applied in my final year. I ticked the amount on my application but unsure what would be available to me.

Alan

Reply 10

Hi Alan,

For the 2022/23 academic year you would be eligible for the full amount which is £11,836.

Thanks, Drew

Reply 11

I received this email from the funding department this afternoon.

Thank you for your email. I have been made aware that there has been some communication between Ellie Pekala at the NHS Foundation Trust and the Operations Team at the University with regards to your University student record. Ellie has set up your 2025-26 year as a course extension to your PG Diploma, whereas you have actually transferred into the 3rd and final year of the part-time Masters course having undertaken 2 years of the part-time PG Diploma (with a repeat of year 2 in 2024-25). The Operations Team have asked Ellie to correct the record so that it accurately reflects your course progression, and the course level and course year you are actually undertaking in 2025-26.

With regards to applying for the SFE Masters loan, I have contacted SFE and explained your course progression, and asked them to confirm if you are eligible to apply for the Masters loan when transferring onto a Masters course from a PG diploma. I have also asked them if the University needs to do anything with regards to creating a course (the Masters course currently exists and has existed since 2023-24). Our understanding is that when applying for a loan, you would indicate that you are in the 3rd and final year of the course. It is not possible to be in year 4 of a 3 year course.

As soon as I hear back from SFE, I’ll let you know what they advise. In the meantime, you may wish to check with Ellie that she will be updating your University student record as this is currently incorrect.


I am now unsure as to whether or not I am eligible to apply. For me, the course is recognised on the SFE website, and I am progressing onto the final year of my master's degree. However, the email suggests I am transferring from one course to the other, that in my final year, I am topping up my studies, as it were.

Below is evidence of the course on the SFE website:

We're just checking this attachment, please wait...

Reply 12

Original post
by husseyalan
I received this email from the funding department this afternoon.
Thank you for your email. I have been made aware that there has been some communication between Ellie Pekala at the NHS Foundation Trust and the Operations Team at the University with regards to your University student record. Ellie has set up your 2025-26 year as a course extension to your PG Diploma, whereas you have actually transferred into the 3rd and final year of the part-time Masters course having undertaken 2 years of the part-time PG Diploma (with a repeat of year 2 in 2024-25). The Operations Team have asked Ellie to correct the record so that it accurately reflects your course progression, and the course level and course year you are actually undertaking in 2025-26.

With regards to applying for the SFE Masters loan, I have contacted SFE and explained your course progression, and asked them to confirm if you are eligible to apply for the Masters loan when transferring onto a Masters course from a PG diploma. I have also asked them if the University needs to do anything with regards to creating a course (the Masters course currently exists and has existed since 2023-24). Our understanding is that when applying for a loan, you would indicate that you are in the 3rd and final year of the course. It is not possible to be in year 4 of a 3 year course.

As soon as I hear back from SFE, I’ll let you know what they advise. In the meantime, you may wish to check with Ellie that she will be updating your University student record as this is currently incorrect.
I am now unsure as to whether or not I am eligible to apply. For me, the course is recognised on the SFE website, and I am progressing onto the final year of my master's degree. However, the email suggests I am transferring from one course to the other, that in my final year, I am topping up my studies, as it were.
Below is evidence of the course on the SFE website:
We're just checking this attachment, please wait...

Okay, that's great - based on this your university is speaking to us directly, which is the best way to resolve this.

So, as soon as we respond to your university they'll let you know and tell you what to do.

Feel free to let us know what they tell you whenever they get back to you.

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 13

Original post
by Graeme SFE
Okay, that's great - based on this your university is speaking to us directly, which is the best way to resolve this.
So, as soon as we respond to your university they'll let you know and tell you what to do.
Feel free to let us know what they tell you whenever they get back to you.
Thanks, Graeme

Thank you, Graeme, I appreciate.

I am slightly worried about my eligibility, which comes from the sentence: I have contacted SFE and explained your course progression, and asked them to confirm if you are eligible to apply for the Masters loan when transferring onto a Masters course from a PG diploma.

The idea of transferring makes it seem like my final year is a 'top-up' if that makes sense, even though I've naturally progressed through the masters degree course.

Thanks,

Alan

Reply 14

Original post
by husseyalan
Thank you, Graeme, I appreciate.
I am slightly worried about my eligibility, which comes from the sentence: I have contacted SFE and explained your course progression, and asked them to confirm if you are eligible to apply for the Masters loan when transferring onto a Masters course from a PG diploma.
The idea of transferring makes it seem like my final year is a 'top-up' if that makes sense, even though I've naturally progressed through the masters degree course.
Thanks,
Alan

Hi Alan,

You would need to discuss this with your university directly, as we can't see what you have or haven't done within transferring etc.

Thanks,
Claire

Reply 15

Unfortunately I have been declined my masters loan application which was confirmed by SFE to my university yesterday.

Based on the course progression information the student is not eligible for a postgraduate masters loan. To be eligible for funding the postgraduate course must be a full stand-alone master's.

Students must be undertaking a full stand-alone master's course and not a partial master's course requiring a lesser number of credits as a result of undertaking a previous course. Therefore, they can't transfer credits from a previous course to their master's as this would count as Accredited Prior Learning (APL) and this would mean the course is no longer eligible for a PGM loan.

As your student record shows that you were undertaking a Diploma in the previous 3 years, and that you have now transferred into the 3rd and final year of a Master’s course, unfortunately this means you are ineligible for the Master’s Loan.

Thank you for your responses in this thread.

Alan

Reply 16

You're welcome Alan, have a lovely day 🙂

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