Equivalent or lower qualifications (ELQ)

If you are a Home/UK or EU student and already hold a degree qualification it is important you read this section which outlines changes to funding.

The UK Government has recently reviewed the way that it provides funding to support Higher Education with a view to targeting financial support towards students who have not previously had a university education and to improve the general skills of the UK workforce.

Withdrawal of Government support

Consequently the decision was taken to stop providing financial support to those students who are embarking on a qualification which is equivalent, or lower, to a qualification that they already hold. This will affect both Bachelors (undergraduate) and Masters (postgraduate) taught courses, although some courses are exempt (e.g. NHS funded programmes and some science and engineering subjects).

Government subsidy

Tuition fees for UK and EU students are also subsidised by the UK Government, and this subsidy will be withdrawn for students who fall within the ELQ category, resulting in a higher student fee for both undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes.