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Can I be enrolled at 2 unis to still get SFE while resitting externally?

Hello everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well. I’d really appreciate some advice regarding my current situation with Student Finance, as it’s a bit complicated.

I unfortunately failed one of my first-year MPharm modules, which means I now have to resit it as an external student. This means I do not have to pay any tuition fees but I will resit this failed module next summer in order to progress into year 2. Before finding this out, I had already signed a second-year accommodation agreement, and I’m still legally required to pay the rent — otherwise, my guarantor could face serious issues such as debt collection.

Because of this, I quickly enrolled at another university on a different course so that I could still receive Student Finance to help cover my accommodation costs.

My question is:
👉 Would it be possible for me to re-register as an external student at my original university to resit this failed module while also being enrolled at another university, in order to continue receiving Student Finance to meet my rent obligations — without it causing any problems with SFE or my studies?

I’m quite worried about this situation and would be really grateful for any guidance or experiences anyone could share.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.

Reply 1

SFE Jason

Official Rep

Original post

by Khxts

Hello everyone,
I hope you’re all doing well. I’d really appreciate some advice regarding my current situation with Student Finance, as it’s a bit complicated.
I unfortunately failed one of my first-year MPharm modules, which means I now have to resit it as an external student. This means I do not have to pay any tuition fees but I will resit this failed module next summer in order to progress into year 2. Before finding this out, I had already signed a second-year accommodation agreement, and I’m still legally required to pay the rent — otherwise, my guarantor could face serious issues such as debt collection.
Because of this, I quickly enrolled at another university on a different course so that I could still receive Student Finance to help cover my accommodation costs.
My question is:
👉 Would it be possible for me to re-register as an external student at my original university to resit this failed module while also being enrolled at another university, in order to continue receiving Student Finance to meet my rent obligations — without it causing any problems with SFE or my studies?
I’m quite worried about this situation and would be really grateful for any guidance or experiences anyone could share.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this.

Hi there,

If there's a clear intention to manipulate the funding this wouldn't be accepted

If you are on a course but an external student for the year then you're not entitled to funding from us. If you're physically attending the other university then we'd assess you for funding (based on your previous study so this may block tuition fees). However, depending on what year of your previous course you were in, the mode of study as well this may cause further problems as the previous university may have sent us over a 'change of circumstance' to update your course and change you over to an external student and therefore, you can't be registered at two universities at the same time.

I would advise speaking to your university to check if they have any bursaries, grants or additional funding in place that they can offer you during the year while you're studying externally. Thanks, Jason