Funding. Do they still fund 3 years of 16-18 ed?

[Miljah]

DS Y14 may do an art foundation year. Our local sixth form provide this. He will still be under 19 by Aug 31st 2019.

I was told by a work colleague that this year's entry, which his DD is on, it's free; next year's entry (DS's) will cost something like £2400.

Today we did a uni Open Day who also do a foundation year. They said that their course was free if the student was, as above, still under 19 at the end of Sept.

Presumably this is 'central funding', so can anyone enlighten me?

Will we be forking out for the foundation year or not?

For the record, the sixth form is great with DC who follow the '3 A levels and off to uni' trajectory, but a bit clueless about their BTEC'ers and 'off the beaten track-ers'....

[Snog]

My dd is doing Art foundation this year - it's free. I'm not aware that this is changing. What you can't do is take a year off between a levels and foundation.

[Snog]

You need to be under 19 on 31 August of the year of entry.

[Miljah]

Thanks. That's interesting to know.

[Miljah]

Okay, Bournemouth University of the Arts don't charge, our local Sixth form don't charge, Solent Uni (Southampton) do charge, £9250.....

???

[Snog]

It can depend on the "level" of the qualification

[Miljah]

Interestingly, one uni's foundation course is designated level 3 and it is free, the local sixth form's foundation course is level 4 and free to under 19, £2060 for over 19s; The other uni, I can't find the level but it's £9250 for all comers 😳

[titchy]

The other uni, I can't find the level but it's £9250 for all comers

That'll be because it's integrated into their degree course. Stand alone Art Foundations should be free.

[Miljah]

This is the course, it's clearly not part of the actual degree, but Solent still want £9250 for it!

[anniehm]

My neighbour is paying £2k for her daughter whose 18 (but completed a levels) was told you only get two years at college unless the first year is gcse repeats

[titchy]

It's craftily worded, but it is part of a four year degree programme, look at the bottom of the page - 'where does this course lead to' - students go onto one of their Design degrees. It also says 4 year course at the top of the page!

[titchy]

It does mean you get a loan for fees and maintenance same as any other degree....