To say I don't already have a degree to get a student loan?

[Harkonen]

I did a BA in English Lit 1989, but want to retrain as a counsellor. There's a foundation degree at a college near me which would be great. I'm not eligible for a loan from student finance due to having already done a degree 35 years ago. The college I did it at has changed its name. AIBU to say I don't have a degree? How would they ever know? I'm married now with a different name. I am aware this is very illegal and tbh I know already I won't do it as I'm normally very law abiding! I can't afford to do the degree through self funding.

So there's no point anyone applying to uni then, as you can't apply for student finance until later than the standard UCAS deadline?

Just because you can't apply for student finance til June, doesn't mean you can't read the rules and understand if you're eligible, surely?

I think it's less the fact that a wannabe counsellor would be happy to commit fraud if they thought they could get away with it and more the utter stupidity of someone thinking that because their college closed down nobody is going to find out they have a degree.

How are you going to cover the lack of qualifications/gap in your CV that isn't really a gap? Presuming you get away with the slight issue of the NI number?

Full time undergraduates can apply now, obviously. The rules aren't particularly clear for those who already have a degree for a part time course.

You can qualify as a counsellor without pursuing a degree. In your shoes, I would do the counselling qualifications and leave the degree element. If you look at the OU’s counselling degree, it is simply some OU modules combined with credit for the counselling qualifications. As such, you might as well just do those quals! In England there are some finance options available but I can’t comment on how it would work with your chosen course and personal circumstances (I’m in Wales and things are different here so I’ve found a link which I’ve added below!)

https://www.cpcab.co.uk/learners/

https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/counselling/diplomas/foundation-degree-in-counselling-x09

https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

I think you are asking the wrong question, @Harkonen. If you had asked whether it is unfair that you can’t apply for a student loan to do a second degree - in a subject where new practitioners are desperately needed too - because you already have a degree, I suspect you would have got more sympathetic answers.

I think it is a shame that you can’t get the funding to study counselling - I think it is as important as raising the number of people doing other healthcare subjects, and the exemption to the fees rule should apply to counselling too.

Yes you are right, it was a stupidly worded question. I agree that a decent degree standard counselling course should be included in the exemptions. It might be - medical and related professions are - but I've no way of knowing if it's counted or not until I actually apply.

The OU degree isn't accredited by BCAP.

Can you definitely not get a student loan? I did a BA about 15 years ago (for which I took out a student loan), then did a Midwifery BSc, for which I took out a second loan. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it even if you are eligible - the amount I pay back from my earnings as a midwife only juuust about covers the interest on the two combined loans, as it's an astronomical amount. The amount I actually owe hasn't reduced one whit despite me making payments every month.

You can train as a psychological well-being practitioner with the nhs, paid/ on the job. There are several intakes a year. One local service is called Time to Talk. Check it out for your local NHS trusts

Midwifery is definitely a medical degree so yes you can get a second loan for that.

I have looked at this but I do want to do the academic side of it and gain accreditation with the BCAP.

Yes but most of them will have applied by January!

https://www.heinfo.slc.co.uk/resources/guidance/courses-management-service-user-guide/eligibility/equivalent-or-lower-qualification-elq-exceptions/english-domiciled-students/. Counselling is a "Subject Allied to Medicine" (CAH 02-06-07). You are eligible for student finance.

You can look up what code a subject falls under here: https://www.hesa.ac.uk/support/documentation/hecos#cah

Search the "terms" box for "counselling" and it will tell you.

Well firstly I was just linking it to demonstrate the qualification pathway - I never suggested you took it…. Secondly, it’s not BCAP but it is CPCAB which is regulated by Ofqual etc. I was just suggesting some options for you and giving you some info.

Have you called them and asked? They were very capable and helpful when I called and can check your actual record for you. I'd recommend calling student loans direct.

I used to work for the student loans company and you would be surprised how many people try this. You have to provide NI number and also your UCAS number (that you would have used for your degree the first time).

It is accredited, and opens avenues to training for higher level roles in counselling. If your end goal is to work in the field this is a good point of entry. Or are you just academically interested in this?

@Harkonen

https://www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk/how-get-funding-second-degree-uk/

I know this isn't what you were asking, but I wouldn't be spending £££ on training to be counsellor. There are hardly any paying jobs available despite demand for services. Being a counsellor is an expensive hobby.

I don't know anyone I've trained with (I did an entry level course a few years ago) who hasn't gone on to work as a counsellor.

Yes you are right, it was a stupidly worded question. I agree that a decent degree standard counselling course should be included in the exemptions. It might be - medical and related professions are - but I've no way of knowing if it's counted or not until I actually apply.

Well you could post and ask those that know about these things whether it would be eligible (it is), or you could ask SFE, or you could ask the college or you could do some googling.

Other than the above four ways, I agree you've no way of knowing.

No not at all. I live fairly remotely and there are never any trainee jobs near me but I will keep looking.

The college have no idea if I'd be eligible and nor do Student Finance, they've just told me to wait until June to apply. Google is not clear either.

But @titchy thanks. If you could point to where it says all part time courses are eligible even if you have a first degree I'd be very grateful.

It's not all part time courses - I've linked you to the list upthread and explained which one counselling falls under.