Student Finance Appeal for Second HND – Cybersecurity vs Songwriting

Hi everyone,

I’m hoping to get advice or hear from others who’ve been through a similar situation.

I recently started an HND in Cybersecurity, but Student Finance England rejected my application for tuition and maintenance loans because I previously completed an HND in Songwriting at BIMM. I’ve submitted an appeal explaining that the new course is in a completely different subject area, with no overlap in content or career outcomes.

Cybersecurity is a high-demand field with national importance, and I plan to progress from this HND to a master’s and eventually a doctorate. I’ve included course modules, career plans, and references to the UK’s National Cyber Strategy in my appeal.

Has anyone successfully appealed a second qualification decision based on subject difference or career progression? What kind of supporting evidence helped your case? Also, if the appeal is rejected, what options did you explore for funding or continuing the course?

Any advice, experience, or encouragement would be hugely appreciated.

Reply 1

Stephen SLC

Official Rep

Hi there, for to assist you with your query please answer the following questions:

The exact course title for the Songwriting course?
Was this a Full Time or Part Time course?
How many years of previous study have you used on this course?
Did you received a qualification from this course?

The new course, how many years is the new course?
What university will you be applying to?
Is this a Full Time or Part Time course?
When are planning to start this course?

Thank you, Stephen.

Reply 2

psychekiro

Original post

by Stephen SLC

Hi there, for to assist you with your query please answer the following questions:
The exact course title for the Songwriting course?
Was this a Full Time or Part Time course?
How many years of previous study have you used on this course?
Did you received a qualification from this course?
The new course, how many years is the new course?
What university will you be applying to?
Is this a Full Time or Part Time course?
When are planning to start this course?
Thank you, Stephen.

Hi Stephen,

I have contacted BIMM to clarify the course details because I took the course in 2008 and they have changed their course structure a lot since then but here is details I can remember so far:
Foundation Diploma in Professional Musicianship – Guitar - Full Time - 1 year course - pass grade

New course - HND Cybersecurity - 2 year course - Any universities that I can apply for studying online only - Full Time course - I started the course this September.

Kind Regards,
Callum

Reply 3

Graeme SFE

Official Rep

Original post

by psychekiro

Hi Stephen,
I have contacted BIMM to clarify the course details because I took the course in 2008 and they have changed their course structure a lot since then but here is details I can remember so far:
Foundation Diploma in Professional Musicianship – Guitar - Full Time - 1 year course - pass grade
New course - HND Cybersecurity - 2 year course - Any universities that I can apply for studying online only - Full Time course - I started the course this September.
Kind Regards,
Callum

Thanks, based on what you've told us here this decision is correct, unfortunately. Since you already have a qualification at the same level as the new course we're not able to offer any funding.

Have you spoken to your university about this? For example, if you could study the course at degree-level (even with a foundation year) this can change our calculation. It may be worth discussing this with them, at least.

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 4

psychekiro

Original post

by Graeme SFE

Thanks, based on what you've told us here this decision is correct, unfortunately. Since you already have a qualification at the same level as the new course we're not able to offer any funding.
Have you spoken to your university about this? For example, if you could study the course at degree-level (even with a foundation year) this can change our calculation. It may be worth discussing this with them, at least.
Thanks, Graeme

Hi Graeme, I will see it this could be possible and try to study the course at degree-level instead with a foundation level. I was hoping I would have a strong appeal case since I am transitioning to a completely different industry and that there is a demand for cybersecurity on a national level since there is a shortage in this field.

Reply 5

Graeme SFE

Official Rep

Original post

by psychekiro

There's no harm in asking our Appeals team to have a look at this, for sure, but I don't think they'll be able to change this decision, sadly: our rules regarding previous study are fairly clear on this matter.

We'd say it's absolutely worth seeing if the course can be done at degree-level, or with a foundation year. If that becomes an option let us know here.

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 6

psychekiro

Thank you Graeme for the advise. If the advise you mentioned doesn't work, I will go down the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) route and show self-taught projects such bug bounties, CTFs, app development and other projects that are cybersecurity related to try and qualify for a degree course that way.