Student Funding Update
In the last decade, the Government has made radical changes to the ways in which both universities and students are funded. There has been much debate, discussion, and more than a little confusion as to how these changes will impact upon students.
This page aims to clarify the situation for full time undergraduate students applying to the University of Wales Lampeter in 2010.
What this means to you if you are applying to Lampeter in 2010
The Welsh Assembly Government allows universities in Wales to charge tuition fees of up to £3290 per year in 2010. The University of Wales Lampeter will be charging this standard fee, in line with most other UK higher education institutions.
These fees are “deferred fees”, i.e. they do not have to be paid “up front” but are paid with a loan, which is repaid after graduation when earnings exceed £15 000 per year. UK Students should contact the Local Education Authority (LEA) in their home area to obtain a loan application form.
Support for Students Domiciled in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland
For English students, loans to cover living expenses are available from Student Finance England. These loans may be amalgamated with the tuition fees loan and are again not repayable until you are earning more that £15 000 per year.
If you normally live in Scotland, your application for student finance will be dealt with by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
If you normally live in Northern Ireland, your application for student finance will be dealt with by Student Finance NI .
Support for Students Studying in Wales
All full-time UK students studying at a Welsh institution eligible for the maximum maintenance grant in their country are also eligible for the Welsh National Bursary of £329 p.a. For new students this bursary rate is subject to a decision regarding a revised National Bursary Framework for Wales due in 2010. Find out more...
Support for Students Domiciled in Wales
Welsh-domiciled students are eligible to apply for a means-tested Assembly Learning Grant of up to £5000 p.a.that does not have to be repaid. Students from households with incomes up to £50 020 p.a. will qualify for support on a sliding scale proportional to income. There is no Tuition Fee Grant available but a Tuition Fee Loan is available to ensure no full-time undergraduate student will have to pay up-front fees. Student loans are available to cover remaining living expenses and are managed by Student Finance Wales.
Please visit the Student Finance Wales website for information on the levels of support available.
Students resident in Wales can also call the bilingual Student Finance Wales helpline on 0845 6028845
What if I am a Channel Island / Isle of Man Student?
If you are currently ordinarily resident in one of these islands, or have been during any period in the three years immediately prior to the start of your course, you may be required to pay a higher rate of ‘home’ fees. These fees are payable by the Islands’ authorities where they have agreed to pay fees on behalf of the Islands Student, and the level of fee will be set by the Islands’ authorities and Universities UK during the course of the coming year. Where the Island authority has not agreed to pay the fees, the student will be charged as a non-EU international student.
What if I am an EU Student?
European Union nationals are subject to the same tuition fee as students whose permanent place of residence is in Wales.
You will be charged a tuition fee of £3290 and, like Welsh-domiciled students, you will be eligible to apply for the Assembly Learning Grant of up to £5000. Again, payment can be deferred until after graduation by applying for a tuition fee loan from the Student Loan Company.
What if I am a non-EU/International Student?
Students who are not UK or EU citizens are not eligible for government support for fees. Details of our international students' tuition fees are provided in the link to Undergraduate Fees at the bottom of this page.
For further information, please see these external links:
Aim Higher Student Finance
Direct.gov.uk
Student Finance Wales
Student Loans Company
Students resident in Wales can also call the bilingual Student Finance Wales helpline on 0845 6028845
Tuition Fee Schedules: Undergraduate Fees | Postgraduate Fees
