SFE processing

I had a FT 25/26 application that i had to cancel (after course had started but I had not formally enrolled). SFE cancelled it on 2/10/25. I phoned yesterday to see when it would be removed from the account so i could make an online application and the rep said 24hrs. I spoke to someone on the phone today again, they said 5 working days. I asked live chat after to see which one was correct and they quoted 17 working days for it to be removed from my account.

I am changing *hopefully* to a PT course and have an offer from birkbeck (which expires on 28/10/25 - i have spoken to their fees team and they say to not enroll unless I can pay for a month up front (£800 which i dont have). and an offer from northampton which i recieved yesterday (unsure of when it expires because it doesnt state in the offer email). I would much rather go to birkbeck due to the evening classes and UoL degree but I cant afford a month of tuition and SFE isnt giving me clear details on processing the previous application cancellation. I had sent a PTMN form to SFEs PO box which arrived this afternoon (i sent it tracked). the phone rep said it would take 6 weeks to process and the live chat rep quoted 17 working days. Both are past the deadline for accepting the Birkbeck offer.

I am eager to get the FT cancelled application off my account to prevent issues with processing the PT application. Also I have sent post to SFE before and they do tend to "lose" paperwork sent to them so Im very nervous that they have again even though Royal Mail says its been delivered to them. If the FT is removed, I can apply fo the PT online as well so im making sure all bases are checked.

I am a mature student (within SFEs definition) and I have a prior undergrad degree. The course I had applied for is within the second degree exemptions (BSc Geography PT) so I am likely to get funding.

I would really appreciate some clarification and/or advice!!

Im open to going to northamption for a year and then going to Birkbeck (but id need to discuss this with birkbeck geograpy department and northamptons student fees department as i predict I wont get any funding till the first week of november) but the application form sent in the post listed Birbeck as my university (as i had not yet recieved the northampton offer).

This whole situation is so complex, its giving me a brain ache

Reply 1

Leah SLC

Official Rep

Hi there. Any changes or evidence take around 17 working days to process. This will be the timescale for cancelling the applicaiton.

The 6 weeks is how long it can take to process new applications, this is the same whether you apply online or via paper. If you applied on paper then the full time applicaiton not being cancelled yet won't hold anything up, this would only be in relation to making an applicaiton online, as you need to wait until the FT one is cancelled before you can make an online PT application.

I wouldn't recommend starting a new PT one online if you have already posted one, as this may cause confusion with the assessors and they might have to ask for clarification, which can hold things up.

If you have the confirmation from Royal Mail it's been delivered, then we do have it. It can take some time for it to be showing on your online account due to it needing data entered on the system. This is why we give a general timescale of around 6 weeks for new applications.

Thanks, Leah.