Is there any financial help to do a second degree course?

Turel

I’m thinking of going back to university to do a second degree and I was wondering if there is any financial help to do a second degree as I have heard that student finance won’t help with either a student fee loan or a maintenance loan. Any help will be greatly appreciated

dmg24

There are a few exceptions, but generally there is no funding for a second degree.

Which subject are you planning to study? Are you planning to study full time, OU etc?

Littleblue_2

You can apply for a Professional and Career Development Loan to fund a 2nd degree.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/CareerDevelopmentLoans/DG_10033237

Oldernotwiser

Littleblue wrote: »

You can apply for a Professional and Career Development Loan to fund a 2nd degree.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/CareerDevelopmentLoans/DG_10033237

This will only cover 2 years of a degree and will not be enough to live on.

The_One_Who

And you need to start to pay them back as soon as you graduate. A taught masters might be a cheaper option, but not always possible depending on your first degree and its compatibility.

Littleblue_2

The_One_Who wrote: »

And you need to start to pay them back as soon as you graduate. A taught masters might be a cheaper option, but not always possible depending on your first degree and its compatibility.

It's 2 months after you finish the course actually and they will spread repayments over up to 60 months.

Depends how much you want it really.

Littleblue_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

This will only cover 2 years of a degree and will not be enough to live on.

Correct about it being 2 years but I'd have thought 10k would be enough for 2 years of a degree if you work part time. I did.

student_advisor

Littleblue wrote: »

Correct about it being 2 years but I'd have thought 10k would be enough for 2 years of a degree if you work part time. I did.

not if your fees are £10k+ a year...

Littleblue_2

student_advisor wrote: »

not if your fees are £10k+ a year...

Oh sorry, student_adviser. I missed the bit where the OP said they were an international student.

From direct.gov.uk:

If you’re a new student (or a continuing student who started your course in or after September 2006) the maximum tuition fees you’ll be charged are £3,290 for the 2010/11 academic year. For 2009/10, the maximum is £3,225

student_advisor

Littleblue wrote: »

Oh sorry, student_adviser. I missed the bit where the OP said they were an international student.

They didn't, but they did say it would be a second degree.

Littleblue wrote: »

If you’re a new student (or a continuing student who started your course in or after September 2006) the maximum tuition fees you’ll be charged are £3,290 for the 2010/11 academic year. For 2009/10, the maximum is £3,225

This only applies to your first undergraduate degree, if you want to do a second, then under new rules introduced in 2008/09, you do not qualify for most HE funding. Specifically, hefce do not pay your university their normal contribution to your fees, this means that the majority of universities charge full (international) fees for students who already have a degree and want to do a second undergraduate degree. There are some exceptions to this: NHS-funded degrees, post-graduate teacher training, graduate entry medicine, foundation degrees and if the student also gets a DSA, for example.

Oldernotwiser

Littleblue wrote: »

Correct about it being 2 years but I'd have thought 10k would be enough for 2 years of a degree if you work part time. I did.

Even if you're lucky and pay home student fees,you still have the first year to find funding for.

Regarding repayments, you would have to be very confident in your earning powers to commit to paying over 160.00 per month for the first five years after graduation!