This guidance is intended for current University of Westminster students. Prospective students should refer to our funding pages for detailed information on all available funding options.
Funding considerations for current undergraduate students
Current students may need to consider a range of funding categories depending on your circumstances. The sections below outline the key situations that can affect Student Finance England (SFE) funding and university fee arrangements.
Repeat or re-take years
If you are repeating or retaking a year, your SFE funding may be affected. This depends on whether you have previously repeated a year, suspended your studies mid-year, or undertaken any prior degree-level study. For more information, please visit our repeat-year funding page.
Module retrievers
If you are registered on a full-time course but taking fewer modules in a year because you are repeating part of your programme and must attend timetabled classes, you remain a full-time student. You may still be eligible for your usual full-time SFE funding if you have remaining entitlement. Further details are available on our repeat-year funding page.
Assessment-only status
If you have no scheduled teaching and are only required to submit an exam, coursework, or dissertation, you may be registered as assessment only – module retriever (no attendance). Key points:
- Tuition fees are normally not charged.
- You may not require a tuition fee loan.
- Assessment-only students are not eligible for an SFE maintenance loan.
For more details, please visit our repeat-year funding page.
Placement year funding
Most placement years affect your SFE funding.
For further details, please see our full-time undergraduate placement years page.
Suspension/interruption of studies
If you suspend your studies due to personal, medical, or financial reasons, your funding may change. Considerations include:
- Whether SFE will continue maintenance payments.
- Whether you qualify for Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR).
- How funding resumes when you return.
- Whether tuition fee liability changes during the suspension.
Compelling Personal Reasons (CPR)
If illness or serious personal circumstances have affected your studies, CPR may restore a year of tuition fee funding.
Students must consider:
- Evidence requirements.
- Whether CPR has been used previously.
- How CPR affects future funding entitlement.
For advice and help with CPR, contact Student Advice.
Previous study rules
SFE reduces tuition fee loan entitlement if you have:
- Studied at degree level before.
- Completed part of a previous course.
- Withdrawn from a previous course.
This can affect how many years of funding you have remaining. For more information, please visit our previous studies page.
Mode of study changes
Switching between full-time and part-time study can affect:
- Tuition fee loan amounts
- Maintenance loan eligibility
- Course duration and funding entitlement
Course transfers
Changing course or institution may impact your funding. You may need to consider:
- Remaining years of entitlement
- Whether previous study rules apply
- Whether CPR is required to restore a year of funding
For more information about transferring, visit our changes to your course page.
Additional support funds
Some students may be eligible for extra support, including:
• Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
• Childcare Grant
• Parents’ Learning Allowance
• Adult Dependants’ Grant
• Travel grants for study abroad
Fee status changes
Changes to your residency or immigration status can affect:
• Whether you pay home or international fees
• Eligibility for SFE funding
• Access to additional support
Hardship funding
Students experiencing financial difficulty may be able to access:
- University hardship funds
- Emergency financial support
- Cost of living assistance
How to pay tuition fees
Information about payment methods and instalment dates is available on our paying your fees page.
Repaying your student loan
Your repayment plan depends on when you started your course and the type of course you studied. Key points:
- You cannot choose your repayment plan.
- You may have multiple plans if you have multiple loans.
- Repayments begin in April after you finish or withdraw.
- Repayments are based on income, not loan balance.
- Interest accrues from the date your loan is paid.
- The Student Loans Company (SLC) manages repayments.
For more information, visit the Student Loans Company website.
Postgraduate student funding
Payments
- Postgraduate loans are not income-assessed.
- Full-time students receive the loan over one year; part-time students over two years.
- Payments are made in three instalments: 33% at course start, 33% four months later, 34% seven months after.
- Payments are made directly to you, not the University. You must ensure you can pay your tuition fees using your loan or other funds. For more information, visit our postgraduate student funding page.
Repayments
• Repayments begin once you finish your course and earn over £21,000 per year.
• You repay 6% of income above this threshold.
• The earliest repayments can begin is the April after course completion.
More information is available on GOV.UK. Fee payment details are on our paying your fees page.
Who to contact for help with SFE funding
For help understanding your SFE eligibility, resolving application issues, and liaising with SFE on your behalf, contact the Student Advice team.
For assistance with the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), contact the Disability Learning Support team