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If you have already been funded for higher education previous to starting your current course this will affect your eligibility for funding. The number of years you will receive funding for will be reduced by the fact you have undertaken previous study.
What are the rules about funding if I have previous study?
What happens if I have left a previous course for reasons beyond my control?
What happens if I already have a degree?
In 2006 along with the introduction of a new student support system a new previous study rule has been brought in for new and existing students.
The main change is the introduction of the ‘plus one’ rule which allows students to receive funding for an extra year on top of the length of their course.
Generally you will be eligible for funding for the number of years your new course lasts minus the number of years you have previously received funding for, plus one.
If you are left with fewer years of funding than the length of your course you will have to fund the remaining years yourself. The self funded years always come at the beginning of a period of study.
If you fail to complete a year due to personal circumstances that are out of your control i.e. illness, emotional trauma etc you can argue ‘Compelling Personal Reasons’ (CPR) and if successful will be given an extra year of support. It is down to the discretion of the LEA to award CPR and it generally has to be argued at the time of leaving the course as opposed to when you come to claiming further funding.
If you already hold an honours degree you will not receive any more funding unless you are studying on certain vocational courses such as Medicine or Social Work in which case you will receive a maintenance loan but nothing else from the DfES. You may be entitled to additional bursaries however for example from the NHS or Social Work Council. Look up the funding arrangements for the specific course you are hoping to study for more information.
Please be aware that we are only able to advise current or prospective students of Leeds University.
These pages are for guidance only and are not a substitute for diverse legislation that they cover. The information was checked and correct at the time of writing.
If you have any comments or queries about this page please email advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk.
© LUU Student Advice Centre June 2006.
