Applying for a PGCE student finance after working abroad and now I need HELP!

mrsimon1991

Hello all.
I graduated with my bachelors in 2012 and aftr spending some time working in dive bar I decided to spend a year teaching English in China before returning home where I then became bored after 9 months and went back to China again for another year. I've recently come back after making my mind up to get a PGCE and start a career in teaching, however I've recently discovered that I could now be disqualified from student finance due to my break in UK residency. Is there a chance that I can still get student finance or will I have to wait another 3 years to start a course? If anyone knows anything or knows anyone who knows anything, it would be a great help.

Wyndham

Sorry, but you may well struggle.

In order to qualify for finance, you need to show intention, and also actual action. So, when you went to China, was the intention to stay there for some time? Your second trip to China implies that it wasn't just a 'one off', but a more habitual intention.

Did you maintain a home in the UK? Did you pay bills such as a mortgage or council tax? If so, do you have the documentation to show that? Did you keep a UK bank account? Did you make regular visits to the UK? Can you show a pattern for these? When you were in the UK where did you stay?

Based on what you said in your first post, my assessment (which is professional as I know this area), would be that of the last 3 years you have spent 2 in China, and unless you have maintained strong links to the UK, then you don't meet the residency requirement. I assume a UK passport, but that in itself is not enough here.

Sorry! PM me if you want me to take a look at anything specific - but it can only be advice rather than an actual judgement.

zagubov

Don't give up just yet.
It may be worthwhile finding out if you can train to teach Chinese language (if it's Mandarin you speak) in addition to your bachelor subject. Some universities like UCL and Liverpool have a big emphasis on promoting languages. Their finance or admission departments may be able to offer info.

Languages that are important in international trade may be worth something. Plus independent schools (at least in England) may not insist on a teaching qualification.