Help with student finance/funding for a returning student

2

Hi,

I’m a qualified dental nurse and I am looking to go back to university to study dental hygiene/therapy. I’ve already been to university for a media degree and graduated back in 2020. Since then I trained and became a dental nurse and I am now wanting to progress my career with hygiene therapy but I’m unsure if I would be eligible for any kind of funding/student finance as I’ve already had a student loan during my first degree. Wondering if anyone has any information as I’m getting a mix of information online and would like to know if I need to plan to self fund a course if I get on.

Many thanks,
Harry

Reply 1

normaw

Volunteer Section Leader, Clearing and Applications Advisor

20

Original post

by Harryfeay

Hi,

I’m a qualified dental nurse and I am looking to go back to university to study dental hygiene/therapy. I’ve already been to university for a media degree and graduated back in 2020. Since then I trained and became a dental nurse and I am now wanting to progress my career with hygiene therapy but I’m unsure if I would be eligible for any kind of funding/student finance as I’ve already had a student loan during my first degree. Wondering if anyone has any information as I’m getting a mix of information online and would like to know if I need to plan to self fund a course if I get on.

Many thanks,
Harry

Dental therapy and hygiene courses are usually exceptions to previous study, so you should qualify for undergraduate funding again. If you can give the name of the course and the university, an SFE/SLC rep will be able to check this for you (I have moved your thread to the Ask SFE forum :smile:

).

Reply 2

Graeme SFE

Official Rep

8

Original post

by Harryfeay

Hi,
I’m a qualified dental nurse and I am looking to go back to university to study dental hygiene/therapy. I’ve already been to university for a media degree and graduated back in 2020. Since then I trained and became a dental nurse and I am now wanting to progress my career with hygiene therapy but I’m unsure if I would be eligible for any kind of funding/student finance as I’ve already had a student loan during my first degree. Wondering if anyone has any information as I’m getting a mix of information online and would like to know if I need to plan to self fund a course if I get on.
Many thanks,
Harry

Hi Harry,

Dental Hygiene/Dental Therapy courses are normally exceptions, which means you'll be entitled to funding regardless of your previous study.

Do you have a particular university that you're interested in? Let us know and we can check this.

Thanks, Graeme

Reply 3

Harryfeay

OP

2

Original post

by Graeme SFE

Hi Harry,
Dental Hygiene/Dental Therapy courses are normally exceptions, which means you'll be entitled to funding regardless of your previous study.
Do you have a particular university that you're interested in? Let us know and we can check this.
Thanks, Graeme

Hi, I’m currently hoping to study at University of Huddersfield, I appreciate the help.

Thanks,
Harry

Reply 4

Claire SFE

Official Rep

8

Original post

by Harryfeay

Hi, I’m currently hoping to study at University of Huddersfield, I appreciate the help.
Thanks,
Harry

Hi Harry,

Can you confirm the course name and length of course? Would this be full time or part time? When are you hoping to start the course?

Thanks,
Claire

Reply 5

Harryfeay

OP

2

Original post

by Claire SFE

Hi Harry,
Can you confirm the course name and length of course? Would this be full time or part time? When are you hoping to start the course?
Thanks,
Claire

Hi, I’m currently hoping to study at University of Huddersfield on the Dental Hygiene and Dental therapy course, full time for 3 years and hopefully starting September 2026. I appreciate the help.
Thanks,
Harry

Reply 6

Stephen SLC

Official Rep

8

Hi Harry, based on what you have advised in relation to your previous studies, I assume that you will be applying for a graduate entry dentistry course? Is that correct? Stephen

Reply 7

Harryfeay

OP

2

Original post

by Stephen SLC

Hi Harry, based on what you have advised in relation to your previous studies, I assume that you will be applying for a graduate entry dentistry course? Is that correct? Stephen

Hi,
No this is not a graduate entry dentistry course. My previous degree is in media and popular culture so I am unable to get onto a graduate entry dentistry course. I am apply for an undergraduate dental hygiene/therapy course.
Thanks,
Harry

Reply 8

Graeme SFE

Official Rep

8

Original post

by Harryfeay

Hi,
No this is not a graduate entry dentistry course. My previous degree is in media and popular culture so I am unable to get onto a graduate entry dentistry course. I am apply for an undergraduate dental hygiene/therapy course.
Thanks,
Harry

Thanks for clarifying - the rules we have state that Dental Hygiene/Dental Therapy courses are exceptions. So, if you're studying a course like this then you should be entitled to funding.

Just to say, we've checked our database for the upcoming 2026/27 year and Huddersfield haven't yet listed any Dental Hygiene or Therapy courses yet. So, we're not able to confirm this for sure right now.

It may be worth asking Huddersfield about the directly: they'll be able to confirm if the course will be available this year and that it's an exception.

Thanks, Graeme

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