Student Finance Centre

Part-time undergraduate students from England or another EU country

This page is relevant to you if you will be a new student starting a part-time course in 2013/14 for the first time.  If you started your studies in 2012/13 or earlier please visit our current students section.

The funding available for part-time undergraduate students is different to full-time funding as there is no government support for living costs available. The funding detailed here also applies to the part-time two-year CertEd or PGCE Post Compulsory Education courses offered at either Eastleigh College or Chichester College, and to distance learning courses.

If you currently live in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland you will be able to apply for different support through your home government. Visit the following websites for further information:

• Students from Wales: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
• Students from Scotland: www.saas.gov.uk
• Students from Northern Ireland: www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

Tuition Fees and the Tuition Fee Loan

Tuition fees for part-time students starting in 2013/14 and studying on campus will depend on the number of credits studied in a year, up to £6,000 for 120 credits (the equivalent of a full-time course). So for example a student studying 60 credits in 2013/14 would be liable for tuition fees of £3,000 in that year.

Tuition fees for distance learning students starting in 2013/14 will depend on the number of credits studied in a year, up to £4,500 for 120 credits (the equivalent of a full-time course). So for example a distance learning student studying 60 credits in 2013/14 would be liable for tuition fees of £2,250 in that year.

To find out the exact fees for a specific course please visit our fee look up page (fees should be available here after November 2012).

All eligible part-time English or EU undergraduate students who do not already have a degree and are studying at least 25% of a full-time course (30 credits per year) can apply for a loan to cover tuition costs. This loan is not income-assessed and is paid directly to the University.

You only start to repay your loan from the April four years after your course started - or the April after you leave your studies, whichever is sooner - and then only if you earn over £21,000, when you make repayments at a rate of 9% of annual earnings above £21,000. If you are still studying at that point you will only have to make repayments if you are also earning over £21,000.

For administrative reasons related to the introduction of the new student finance system, no-one will be required to repay earlier than April 2016.

For more information see our repayments page. You can also use the calculator from Money Saving Expert to estimate what you would be likely to pay back in total:

If you prefer, you can arrange to pay your tuition fees without taking a loan, either in one payment before the start of term (an early payment discount is available) or in 5 monthly instalments. Alternatively, you can pay part of your fees and apply for a reduced loan to cover the remainder. For more information about paying your fees visit our tuition fee pages.

How to apply

New students will be able to apply in early August 2013 and will be able to download an application pack from Student Finance England. You should complete and return your application form to Student Finance England as soon as possible.