Student Finance-Topping Up

smallzoo2

I seem to find so much conflicting evidence about student finance..hopefully someone on here can help me out

My son completed a HND in graphics last July and now wants to go to university to do a degree in September this year.

In general is he entitled to finance for the full 3 years or is it the formula I have seen bandied about .. 3yrs + bonus less already studied i.e. in my sons case (3+1)-2... 2years of finance allowed

p.s. is may be a honours degree or a BA
Thanks

DomRavioli

Can we get this moved to the student board maybe?

smallzoo2

Sorry , didn't realise there was one..I'll try and find it and ask the question again in the right place !

Leo2020

You normally get 4 years. He has already used up 2 so another 2 left. Why would he need to do a full 3 years though? I think most unis will allow him to go into the second year of a degree based on his portfolio (certainly was the case when I did my HND in Graphic Design).

I will be applying for a top-up BA course which only lasts one year which is run via my local college but is accredited by Sheffield Hallam. Could your son not look at a one year top-up course?

I too had the same issue as your son - I want a degree but if I started one a fresh so to speak I could only apply for tuition fees for the last 2 years of the course thus having to pay over £9000+ in fees out of my own pocket for the first year.

smallzoo2

Thanks for that...I have discussed this with him...he is torn between just getting the degree or experiencing university life as well by attending two years. I know myself the final year was not as much fun as you are thinking about exams..

obviously this decision has to be his not mine

thanks

Leo2020

With it being Graphic Design I doubt there will be any exams. There aren't any on the course I'm applying for.

But there is a final year major project.

Yes it is up to him. Something he might want to consider is that he would have no spare year if anything did go wrong.

Also college HE courses tend to have smaller classes so there is more time with a tutor. This is may be of interest to him if he prefers more support.

Also it is normally cheaper - the course I'm looking at costs about £6000 ish per year.

But you do miss out on the university experience.