Student Finance funded undergraduates

2. If I study on a part-time basis how do I calculate my fees?

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student you will be charged only for the modules you undertake each academic year as agreed with your faculty. Each module attracts a specific number of credits and the fees are calculated for each 10 credits you undertake. Please bear in mind that the underlying per 10 credit fee tariff normally increases each academic year during your period of study.

To find out the amount charged per 10 credits please visit the course or programme web page (see the answer to question 1 above).

3. Can I get a loan for part-time study?

Part-time undergraduate students can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover their tuition costs. To be eligible for a tuition fee loan, this must generally be the first time you’ve studied on a higher education degree and you must complete a minimum of 25 per cent of the equivalent full-time course load per year. Part-time students cannot get a maintenance grant for living costs, but can apply for a maintenance loan.

4. Do I need to pay you the money from my tuition fee loan?

5. I have received a payment schedule letter from Student Finance; do you need to see it?

The University should receive notification from Student Finance that your loan is in place and approved automatically. However if you are aware that there have been delays in your application or you want to ensure that we are aware that you have a tuition fee loan in place, you can scan and email a copy of your payment schedule letter to us at studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk.

6. I am getting a tuition fee loan from Student Finance but I have received correspondence from the University regarding tuition fees – what should I do?

The University may not be aware that you have a tuition fee loan approved. The best way to resolve this is to scan and email a copy of the payment schedule letter (which you should have received from Student Finance) and email it to us at studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk so that finance staff can check the details and update your record and account.

7. I am thinking of withdrawing/interrupting my studies, how does this affect my tuition fee and tuition fee loan?

The University will apply its policy on tuition fees payable by students who withdraw or interrupt their studies. Please note: if you wish to interrupt or withdraw from your programme, you must do more than simply stop attending. You must advise your Faculty Office by submitting a withdrawal or interrupt study form. For further information please visit student regulations, policies and procedures and view the links under student finance policies.

The University will inform Student Finance that you have withdrawn/interrupted and your tuition fee loan will be adjusted where applicable. If tuition fees have been overpaid to the University, Student Finance will reclaim the funds and credit your loan account.

You will need to contact Student Finance to find out how your future funding eligibility may be affected by withdrawing or interrupting. There may also be implications regarding any maintenance funding you have already received. Student Finance contact details are at the foot of this page.

8. I am experiencing difficulties getting my tuition fee loan approved by Student Finance, or they have told me that I am not eligible for a tuition fee loan this year – is there anyone that can help me?

You can visit the Student Union Advice Centre on campus where staff can help you look at your eligibility and help you communicate with Student Finance. Alternatively, you can email them at advice@su.plymouth.ac.uk or call +44 1752 588373. You may also email the Student Accounts Team at studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk for advice or call them on +44 1752 588130.

9. Student Finance has told me I need to get my attendance confirmed by the University – who do I need to contact?

There are two kinds of ‘confirmation of attendance’: one is required at the start of the year which upon receipt allows Student Finance to release payment of maintenance loans and grants into your specified bank account. If it is for this reason that you need your attendance confirming, you need to email studentservices@plymouth.ac.uk.

The other kind is where the University has to confirm you are in attendance each term, upon receipt of this Student Finance will release the relevant instalment of your tuition fee. If it is for this reason that you need your attendance confirming please email the Student Accounts Team at studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk.

10. I have successfully completed a 'Year Zero course' (such as Foundation Pathways in Technology/Management, Government and Law Foundation Year) and will be progressing onto a different course in the next academic year. Should I inform the Student Loans Company of this change?

Yes - you should inform the Student Loans Company of the course change via your Student Finance online account.

Please note that you will have to select a slightly different version than the standard degree - the version that should be selected for progressing Year Zero course students should have the letters EXTDYR in the course name title. For example - if you were progressing onto BSc Biological Sciences after completing a Year Zero course you should inform the Student Loans Company that you are changing course to BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES EXTDYR-FT or BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES EXTDYR-SW (if you were planning on studying a placement year). The FT stands for Full Time and the SW stands for Sandwich. If the UCAS code of the new course is entered on the online application, all available versions will be visible for selection.

Please also ensure that you select course Year 1 of this new course (as you have already studied course Year Zero/foundation in the previous academic year). In subsequent academic years please make certain you remain on the EXTDYR version when applying for Student Finance.

If you haven’t studied a Year Zero course, please DO NOT attempt to link yourself to any of the EXTDYR versions for Student Loans Company purposes as this may cause funding problems.

If you have any queries regarding which course you should select during your Student Finance application please email sis.datasupport@plymouth.ac.uk. 

Student Finance England: +44 (0)300 100 0607
Student Finance Wales: +44 (0)300 200 4050
Student Finance Northern Ireland: +44 (0)300 100 0077
EU students: +44 (0)141 243 3570
Loan Repayment enquiries: +44 (0)300 100 0611

Did you find what you were looking for? If you can’t find the answer to your query in the information provided here, please get in touch. We’ll be happy to help. Email us at studentaccountsteam@plymouth.ac.uk or call us on on +44 1752 588130.