Student Finance Centre

Useful information for current UoP students

Here we have provided information that will be relevant to all current University of Portsmouth students

During your time at university you may encounter situations that may affect the funding to which you are entitled. If you are considering changing your course, suspending your studies or repeating a year it’s important that you speak to us as there may be financial implications to the choices you make. If your question isn't answered here, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

  • Is there additional support if I am in financial difficulty?

    The University of Portsmouth has a range of means-tested hardship awards open to students who need extra financial support.

    Awards may be available for:

      • Travel
      • Childcare
      • Support over the summer holiday
      • Any unexpected or exceptional essential costs

    To apply simply complete an application form (available in the Student Finance Centre or to download from our forms and guides section) and return it to us with 3 months bank statements, your tenancy agreement/halls invoice and student finance documentation.

    Awards made from the Access to Learning Fund are in addition to the standard student finance package. All payments are discretionary and are non-repayable.

  • I started before 1 September 2012, what will my tuition fees be in 2013/14?

    Fees for full-time undergraduate continuing students who started their studies before 1 September 2012 will be £3,465 in 2013/14. Continuing students are students who meet one of the following definitions:

    Continuing Students
    ·    All students continuing on a full‐time undergraduate course started before September 2012.

    Transferring Students
    ·    Students who transfer internally onto a different full‐time undergraduate course provided they started their initial full‐time undergraduate course before September 2012.
    ·    Students who transfer from another HEI, from and into a full‐time undergraduate course, provided that they started their course before September 2012 and are classed as continuing by the Student Loans Company (SLC).

    Returning Students
    ·    Students who started a full‐time undergraduate course before September 2012, whose enrolment was suspended, provided that they are classed as continuing by the SLC. This includes students who suspended due to academic failure.
    ·    Students returning after a study break of one or more years, provided they are classed as continuing by the SLC.
    ·    Previously full‐time students who were part‐time for one year in order to repeat units of study.

    Progressing Students
    ·    Students who are progressing directly to end‐on courses, such as Foundation Degree or HND progression to Honours degree courses. This progression arrangement includes students progressing directly from a University of Portsmouth course or another HEI, provided they were previously full‐time students and they are classed as continuing by the SLC.
    ·    Students who transfer into year 2 or later of a full‐time undergraduate course, directly from a full‐time undergraduate course with a partner institution where credit earned contributes to a University of Portsmouth degree.
    ·    Students progressing to the Diploma in Architecture course within the three year allowable study break period after completing the BA (Hons) Architecture at Portsmouth or another HEI.

  • I started after 1 September 2012, what will my tuition fees be in 2013/14?

    Fees for full-time undergraduate continuing students who started their studies after 1 September 2012 will be £8,750 in 2013/14.

  • What happens if I need to repeat a year?

    The current rules offer support for the length of your course, plus one additional year if required, less any years of previous study. Previous study is taken into account even if you did not receive funding for it or the study was undertaken overseas.

    So for example, if you have to repeat a full year (this can be first, second or final) of a three-year degree course, then you can receive funding for that extra year of study, subject to the normal income assessment. If you have to repeat another year however, you will have to self fund that period of study.

    Student Finance England will have discretion to extend funding by one further year should you suffer compelling personal reasons for repeating a period of study, for example, ill health. This discretion can be applied for each occasion you are unable to complete a year due to your compelling personal reasons.

  • I want to suspend my studies. What happens to my student finance?

    You may have decided to temporarily suspend your studies for health or personal reasons. However, if you are considering this due to your financial situation, contact us first. If appropriate we may be able to offer practical support to ensure that you can complete your studies. Depending on when you suspend you may have to pay back funding that you have been given for the current academic year.

    The current rules offer support for the length of the student's course, plus one additional year if required, minus any years of previous study. For example, you have to repeat a year because you have interrupted your studies (this can be first, second or final) of a three-year degree course, then you can receive funding for that extra year of study, subject to the normal income assessment. If you have to repeat another year however, it is likely you will have to self fund that period of study.

    Student Finance England will have discretion to extend funding by one further year should you suffer compelling personal reasons for repeating a period of study, for example ill health. This discretion can be applied for each occasion you are unable to complete a year due to your compelling personal reasons. Contact us if you need support with this.

    If you do decide to suspend your studies speak to your department, Academic Registry and Student Finance England as soon as possible. Keeping each fully informed throughout the process of suspending your course is vital. The final decision is made by Student Finance England as to the financial support you could receive.

    If you started your studies before 1 September 2012 and at any point you withdraw from the University of Portsmouth then return to higher education after 1 September 2012 you will be treated as a new student and will therefore be subject to higher fees and the new funding arrangements.

  • I am transferring to another course - does this affect my funding?

    Transferring to another course follows the same principle as repeating a year. The rules offer support for the length your current course, plus one additional year if required, less any years of previous study.

    Student Finance England will have discretion to extend funding by one further year should you suffer compelling personal reasons for repeating a period of study, for example ill health. This discretion can be applied for each occasion you are unable to complete a year due to your compelling personal reasons.

    If you are considering transferring courses (and possibly university) the same principle of support for the current course, plus one year will also apply.

    If you do decide to transfer course (or university) speak to your department, Academic Registry and Student Finance England as soon as possible. Keeping each fully informed throughout the process of transferring courses is vital. The final decision is made by Student Finance England as to the financial support you could receive.

    If you started your studies before 1 September 2012 and at any point you withdraw from the University of Portsmouth then return to higher education after 1 September 2012, or if you switch from a full-time course to a part-time course or vice-versa, you will be treated as a new student and will therefore be subject to higher fees and the new funding arrangements.

  • What support is available during the self-funded periods?

    Whilst you will not be eligible for the full range of support during your self-funded period of study, there are some elements of support you can still receive. The list below demonstrates exactly what support you can expect. This information applies to both repeating and transferring students who are required to be self-funded for a period of study.

    Maintenance loan: Yes

    University bursary (if you are paying the full tuition fee): Yes, although please note that this is not available if you are only repeating certain units and are therefore paying a reduced tuition fee.

    Fee loan: No

    Maintenance grant: No

  • What do I need to do if I withdraw from my course?

    If you are experiencing financial difficulties and are finding it difficult to complete your studies we may be able to help. We can provide honest, non-judgemental debt counselling and financial advice in a confidential environment. Please contact us. We can also talk you through the financial implications of withdrawing, including the affect it may have on any further funding should you decide to return to your studies in the future.

    If you do decide to withdraw from your course you may be liable for tuition fees depending on when the university receives your online withdrawal form. If you are eligible for a tuition fee loan you will still be able to access this to cover your fee liability. 

    When you withdraw Tuition fee liability
     Within the first two weeks of the start of term (including induction week).  No fees charged
     After the first two weeks but before the end of the first term.  25% of annual tuition fee
     After the first term but before the end of the second term.  50% of annual tuition fee
     During the third term  Full annual tuition fee

    If you have any queries regarding fee charges should you decide to withdraw visit the tuition fees page.

    We can help you to contact Student Finance England, who will need to be advised about your situation. If you withdraw from your course and do not enrol at another university, you will still be liable for your loan repayments from the April after you leave if you are earning £15,795 gross or more per year (students who started their studies before 1 September 2012) or £21,000 gross per year (students who started their studies after 1 September 2012).

  • What funding will I receive if I have studied an HND or Foundation Degree?

    If you complete a full-time HND or Foundation Degree in July 2012 or July 2013, you will be treated as a continuing student for the ‘top-up’ year(s) as long as you continue to study full time and start the degree course in the September immediately after finishing the HND or Foundation Degree. If you change from full to part-time study (or vice versa), or take a break, you will be treated as a new student if you return after September 2012 to top-up and will be subject to the higher fees and new funding arrangements.

  • I'm planning to go on Placement as part of my course in 2012/13. What funding will I receive?

    If as a compulsory part of your course you will be attending an industrial placement year it is important to check the funding you will be entitled to in 2013/14. If you are undertaking a placement year you can still apply for a reduced rate of maintenance loan of up to £2,324. This loan is non income-assessed so you will not be expected to provide evidence of parents' income to support the application. Payments will still be made in three instalments as in previous years.

    The University will charge a tuition fee of £680 (for students who started their studies before 1 September 2012) or £875 (for students who started their studies after 1 September 2012) in 2013/14, for which you can still apply for a tuition fee loan to meet the cost. If you would rather pay your own fees this can be done by direct debit, collected in five instalments starting in November 2013.

    In some cases if your placement is unpaid in the UK and you will be working for a government service (e.g. the prison service or a local authority) then it may be possible that you can still receive the full maintenance loan. Please check your eligibility with Student Finance England.

    Social Work, NHS and PGCE students on placement receive the same financial support as though they were attending University.

    Overseas placements

    If you will be travelling abroad for your placement it is vital you check with Student Finance England that the placement you plan to undertake is one that you can still receive full support for. Generally you will need to be registered with and attending a University overseas to receive full support which can include a maintenance loan of up to £5,895, a maintenance grant (based on household income) and possibly assistance towards overseas travel costs. If you are working overseas you may only be offered a reduced loan of £2,780 and the tuition fee loan.

    Hardship Fund support while on placement

    Home students undertaking a placement year are still eligible to apply to the Access to Learning Fund as long as they have applied for the maximum maintenance loan they are entitled to.

    Council Tax

    You can still receive a Council Tax exemption certificate if you are on a placement in the UK. You will be subject to other rules regarding who you share your property with, with regard to possible exemption.

  • Oyster Card Scheme

    The University of Portsmouth is registered with TFL for the 18+ Student Oyster card scheme. To apply for a Student Oyster Card which can offer discounts of up to 30% on your daily travel costs in and around London visit Transport for London. Your application will be submitted to us electronically and we will check that you are a currently registered student. Contact us if you wish to discuss this further.