Student Financial Support Arrangements

There are currently two statutory financial support arrangements in place for undergraduate and PGCE students in higher education, the `old system´ for students commencing study before October 2006 and the `current system´ for those commencing after October 2006. `Current system´ students are charged the variable rate tuition fee (£3375 in 2011-12) but have access to a more generous maintenance grant. The maintenance loan and grant package available to students is means tested although a basic loan is available to all regardless of income. Also regardless of income all students can now take out a tuition fee loan with the Student Loan Company, in order to defer payment until after graduation and once they are in employment.

Student Finance England produces a publication 'A guide to financial support for higher education students´ which provides an overview of the student support arrangements. Information on financial support for health care students is available from the NHS Student Grant Unit. A variety of financial literature is also available to students from Student Services Information Desk.

The University offers `current system´ undergraduate students bursaries of between £280 and £3375 depending on household income, `A´ level (or equivalent) results, subject of study and whether the student is entering through an outreach scheme.