Student loan company just droped a bombshell on me...

XEO25

I've been studying computing at university for 2 year, but decided it wasn't for me and agree'd with the university that I will change to advertising and marketing, something I'd really enjoy.

Rang the student loans company today to tell them to change the course on my application, and they said because I've already done 2 years, I will not get funding for my first year on Advertising and Marketing, only the last 2 years of it.

This means I have a 2 months to find £3100 for tuition fee's, and a £1500 for my first terms rent (I've already signed the contract for this accademic year).

Are there any types of funding I may be entitled to, to help me get through what is looking to be the hardest year of my life.

Thanks

Oldernotwiser

It might have been a good idea to have checked out the finances of this before you planned to change your course! Is there any chance of your finishing your original degree and moving into advertising/marketing from an IT position after graduation? Alternatively, you could take a year out to save for your first year and return to university in 2009.

The_One_Who

You'd need to somehow defer entry and work for the year to save the money. It is quite clearly explained in all the student finance literature their rules on funding for repeat years.

megc_2

Yes you can only get student finance for 4years (unless the course is longer than that), with one of those being a repeat year.
As you only have one year to go of the original course, surely you could just grit your teeth and get it over with, and then maybe move into advertising /marketing either through work, (as many positions are open to non-specialist graduates) or a postgrad course?
Or, as the other posters have said, take a year out to work and organise funds, and then return.

bestpud

You are still able to claim the maintenance loan, in case you aren't aware of that.

Also, your uni will probably be willing for you to pay in installments if you contact them now and explain the situation. It will help your situation if you have a job, or other source of income though.

The accommnodation will likely have to be paid up front though.

As I see it, you have three options:

Defer, get a full time job and save some money to cover your first year back. This may actually improve your cv!

Ask about other options ie postgrad if you finish this course (bearing in mind there is not post grad funding available for most people) or maybe you can skip a few level one modules as you've completed two years (this depends on a lot of things but it's worth asking!)

Apply for the maintenance loan, maybe see if a family member will help you out, get a job asap and prepare yourself for a tight year financially! If it's really what you want to do then you should be ok but think carefully because a dropping out this year will take you down to one years funding!

If it were me, I'd be contacting the uni for alternate options before doing anything else.

pinkshoes

I would defer the year (and start September 2009), and get a job, perhaps in the relevant field to what you'd like to work in in the future.

Not only will it give you the chance to save up a really decent amount of money, it will also give you a good head start over other students when applying for graduate jobs.

If you get a 2:1 this year for computing, could you not negotiate with the university that you'll read up the whole of the first year in your year out, then start in the 2nd year of the course? It's worth a try, as I had a friend who did this (changing from engineering to computing).

lauraza

I would definitely consider working for a year, particularly given the sector you wish to move into. Upon graduation, competition is fierce (don't I know!) and any experience you have will give you an edge, both during and after your course. You can also test the water to make sure it really is what you want to do. Good Luck!

Wiggynut

shaneo85 wrote: »

I've been studying computing at university for 2 year, but decided it wasn't for me and agree'd with the university that I will change to advertising and marketing, something I'd really enjoy.

Rang the student loans company today to tell them to change the course on my application, and they said because I've already done 2 years, I will not get funding for my first year on Advertising and Marketing, only the last 2 years of it.

This means I have a 2 months to find £3100 for tuition fee's, and a £1500 for my first terms rent (I've already signed the contract for this accademic year).

Are there any types of funding I may be entitled to, to help me get through what is looking to be the hardest year of my life.

Thanks

can you not ask to go into the second year of the course you are starting this year?
then you would only need 2 years of funding.
uni's consider 2nd year entry for people who have already studied before and you have two years experience of this already... might be worth checking out - can't hurt!?

good luck