Loans and funding for UK students
Online distance learning courses are classed as part-time study and you may be eligible for a part time tuition fee loan or grant, depending on where you live.
Students in England
If you are a new part-time student and do not already have an undergraduate degree you may be eligible for a tuition fee loan through Student Finance England of up to £6,750 per year. You don't have to start repayments on your loan until 4 years after you've started your course, and only when your income is over £21,000.To claim a part-time loan, your total number of credits in any year must be worth a minimum of 25% (30 credits) of a full time course (120 credits). The number of credits you study in a year depends on how many modules you choose and the credit value of each module.
You’ll find the details you need on the course page and you may find this short video produced by Student Finance England helpful.
The following qualifications we offer are currently eligible for a loan:
- Diploma Higher Ed
- Full (Hons) degree
- 1 Year level 6 (top up)
Students in Wales
Our online courses are registered with the Welsh Assembly. If you are resident in Wales, you are not eligible for the new part time loan described above but you may be eligible for grant funding. Apply to Student Finance Wales (SFW).
Students in Northern Ireland
If you are resident in Northern Ireland, you are not eligible for the new part time loan described above but you may be eligible for grant funding. Apply to Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI).
Students in Scotland
Students Award Agency Scotland (SAAS) does not fund part time courses outside of Scotland. If you are a Scottish resident applying for one of our online courses, you are unable to claim funding.
Postgraduate students
Postgraduate study (eg MSc, MA, MBA) is not currently covered by any form of loan or grant. Professional and Career Development Loans are available from selected banks subject to a range of criteria. Visit direct.gov.uk for more information.
It is your responsibility to liaise with the funding agency and ensure that funding is in place to cover your fees. You are also responsible for any difference between your tuition fees and the amount of funding you receive.
Don’t worry if you already receive a part time grant, you can continue to claim this until you complete your current programme of study (subject to your circumstances remaining the same).
