Student finance allowances

[daffodilandtulip]

We're just looking at courses atm. Daughter is interested in doing a course at one uni which is degree plus placement year plus masters, so integrated over 5 years. We went to an open day at another uni who offered either the degree with the placement year or the degree with the masters.

When we asked if it was possible to do both, they said they don't offer both because you can't get student finance for a five year course, so you have to choose one or the other. (Spoke to us like we were idiots for not knowing this.)

I can't afford to finance a whole year myself but the first course is her preferred one. Does anyone know more?

I know, the amount of debt scares me! But she's very career minded, says it's just a tax on her education and laughs at me when I suggest she may be paying for childcare one day 🤷🏼‍♀️

Student finance are the people to ask really. Obviously you can get 5 years as medical students do and also students do restart degrees and can get additional funding.

Students can get declared course length plus one year of funding (to allow for re-takes or moving course once). So if the uni tells SLC that the course is 5 years, they can be funded for all of that. "Integrated" master's courses (you don't need to re-apply) are treated just like undergrad courses.

Yes the course is integrated. This is a more helpful answer than the one the second uni gave!

My son applied for an integrated masters course, so 4 years, and there was the option of doing a placement year to bring it up to 5. There were people who had done and were doing the 5 year course, so yes it's definitely possible!

Sounds like the second university is... confused. Also, be aware that placement year students get a reduced maintenance loans (the expectation is that they'll be earning) unless they are working for NHS or government. (I should have said 'SFE' rather than 'SLC' earlier... the first gives out the money, the second claws it back!)

Also, as with everything, things might be different if you're in Scotland, Wales, or NI.

Oh yes, we're England.

Tbh the second university was shocking in all respects and was crossed off our list by 9:30am. But what the lady said has stuck and made DD worried.

Ah so sorry - I think my response was completely outdated!! Going to get it removed so it doesn’t confuse anyone.

Definitely possible as my younger DD is doing exactly that, but her placement was a year's study abroad (STEM degree). She is about to start her Masters year. I'm pretty sure she told SF it was a 5 year course at the start of the process in 2019 and has just had her loan approved for the coming academic year.

Oh that's great to hear. Very similar then. That's reassuring.