Once you’ve graduated school and college and passed all the exams you need to, you’ll have the option of whether or not you want to go to university. There are a number of things you have to think about when doing this, one of which is what degree you want to study and what career you want to go in to in the future. Another important aspect which everyone must think about is how you are going to finance your place and pay your tuition fees. With the cost of tuition fees varying on where you’re from and where you’re studying, students have to apply for loans and other forms of funding to help them finance their tuition fees and stay on at university.
Students Home Region | Studying In England | Studying In Scotland | Studying In Wales | Studying In Northern Ireland |
England | Up to £9, 000 | Up to £9, 000 | Up to £9, 000 | Up to £9, 000 |
Scotland | Up to £9, 000 | No fees | Up to £9, 000 | Up to £9, 000 |
Wales | Up to £9, 000 | Up to £9, 000 | Up to £3, 810 | Up to £9, 000 |
Northern Ireland | Up to £9, 000 | Up to £9, 000 | Up to £9, 000 | Up to £3, 805 |
EU | Up to £9, 000 | No fees | Up to £3, 810 | Up to £3, 805 |
Other International | Variable | Variable | Variable | Variable |
The amount of loans students have to take out to help cover their tuition fees has increased year on year since they were introduced in 1990.
The Disabled Students Allowance is paid to students along with their other student finance to help cover the extra costs they may have because of their disability. This doesn’t need to be repaid. The allowance a person gets depends on the individuals needs and not their household income. This can be split into three quantities. Disabled students can get an amount for a specialist equipment allowance, an amount for a non-medical helper allowance and a general allowance.
The money awarded can pay for:
- specialist equipment, e.g. a computer if you need one because of your disability
- non-medical helpers
- extra travel because of your disability
- other disability-related costs of studying
As soon as your eligibility is proven, Student Finance England may ask you to contact an assessment centre to work out what you need. You shouldn’t buy any equipment before you’ve been assessed as you won’t be reimbursed for it. After your assessment you’ll receive a report which states everything that has been recommended for you.
Your course
Your course must be in the UK and one of the following:
- a first degree, e.g. BA, BSc or BEd
- a Foundation Degree
- a Certificate of Higher Education
- a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- a Higher National Certificate (HNC)
- a Higher National Diploma (HND)
- a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
- a postgraduate course
- Initial Teacher Training
If you’re going to be starting university in the near future and would like more information on this topic please visit:
- https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/overview
- https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/finance-and-support/tuition-fees-and-student-loans
- http://www.studentloanrepayment.co.uk/portal/page?_pageid=93,6678490&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL