Costs and Funding

When studying a higher education course you will need to consider paying for your course (tuition fees) and covering your living costs.  Depending on your personal circumstances you may be eligible for support with tuition fees, disabled student allowances, maintenance loans and childcare grants.

Full-time Students

2011/12: If you’re starting a full-time higher education course in 2011/12, the main types of financial help you may be able to get are:

• a Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant - worth up to £2,906
• a Student Loan for Tuition Fees to cover your fees in full (up to £3,375)
• a Student Loan for Maintenance - worth up to £4,950 if you live away from home
• a bursary from the College.

2012/13: If you're starting a full-time higher education course in 2012/13, the main types of financial help you may be able to get are:

• a non-repayable Maintenance Grant, of up to £3,250
• a Student Loan for Tuition Fees to cover your fees in full
• a Student Loan for Maintenance, of up to £5,500 if you live away from home
• a National Scholarship.

The Department for Business, Innnovation & Skills (BIS) has some useful information on financial support for full-time students.

Part-time Students

2011/12: The main sources of government-funded help for lower income part-time students are:

• the Fee Grant - to help with tuition fees
• the Course Grant - to help with study costs, such as books, materials and travel.

The maximum Fee Grant will depend on how ‘intensive’ your course is, in other words how long it takes to complete the course, and your personal circimstances.  If you are on certain benefits or studying a very intensive course the maximum combined Fee and Course grant is £1,495 for 2011/12.

2012/13: If you are starting a part-time higher education course in 2012/13, you may now be able to get a tuition fee loan.  The Department for Business, Innnovation & Skills (BIS) has some useful information on financial support for part-time students.

Applying for Financial Support

For more information, application packs or to apply on-line, please visit the Directgov website.

Additional Support While Studying

Access to Learning Funds (ALF) are available for students on low income who may need extra financial support for their course and to stay in higher education. This support comes in the form of a non-repayable grant which can be applied for through Student Services.