Graduate cut in funding!! 2008/9

[latestarter]

Not sure if anyone is aware but there is a consultation taking place which proposes that funding is not going to be given to unis for student who are studying a further qualification which is equivalent or lower than one that they already hold.
Basically, this would mean that the uni would not receive government funding for your place, which I read as meaning you could have to pay full fees!! Graduates already do not qualify for tuition fee loans or grants, but this could really hurt!

http://www.hefce.ac.uk/pubs/hefce/2007/07_27/ shows the details...
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) has requested that we withdraw funding for students who are studying for a qualification that is equivalent to, or lower than, a qualification that they have already been awarded. The Government has taken this decision because it believes that teaching such students 'is not...usually as high a priority for public funding as support for students who are either entering higher education for the first time, or progressing to higher qualifications'

From the OU:
"There are some exemptions to the new draft policy including initial training for teachers, nurses, social workers and all foundation degrees. But we are convinced that across the sector the higher fees that institutions may have to charge will deter many graduates from university-level professional development."
And the OU have started a petition http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ELQFunding/

As with other policies there are exemptions and each body seems to be petitioning it's cause.
Medicine has been nominated but it is not finalised yet... http://www.hefce.ac.uk/faq/elq.htm#q8
I really wanted the graduate route to be my backup... but with this, perhaps only 4 year courses would be left as an option and they are already over-subscribed!

[KateBiomed]

I only read your post quickly but surely if you go onto study Medicine as a graduate after taking a Bsc, for example, it will result in gaining a higher qualification. To me it reads as if to say that should you want to study for another Bsc (that is an equivalent qualification) you would not receive funding. I could be wrong...

[Arch_Angel]

Technically it's another undergraduate degree, medicine isn't a higher degree than a BSc, simply a different one......... hmm interesting. I take it the GEP route is still funded right?

[chrisjimmartin]

They better bloody not do!!!!!!!!

I've only just got a place after 2 years of grafting in low-paid hospital jobs and studying off my own back. I made that decision based on costs being the same as they are now. Surely they need to give more notice of this? There's no way I am wasting 2 years of my life getting into med school for some poxy department to turn round now and tell me I'm not going to get ANY support.

[chrisjimmartin]

Phew! I quote....

8. Are there any exemptions to the ELQ policy?
We are proposing to exempt all foundation degrees and all students that will count towards delivery of co-funded additional student numbers that are outside the mainstream teaching grant. We are also proposing a number of further exemptions, to ensure that the ELQ policy is consistent with the Student Fees Regulations and Student Support Regulations. These exemptions cover subject areas such as undergraduate medicine and dentistry, social work and teacher training. In addition, the new targeted allocation for strategically important and vulnerable subjects will protect funding in these areas. For a detailed explanation of the exemptions to the ELQ policy, see our consultation document (HEFCE 2007/27) and the explanatory notes produced to accompany the modelling of the impact of the ELQ policy.

Source http://www.hefce.ac.uk/faq/elq.htm#q4

[Victoria09]

I heard somewhere that they were considering bringing this in for 2010 entry students, and that medicine will not necessarily be exempt... so I'm glad you posted this to clear up the matter in my mind.

[Dr Noodle]

That bursary that's there at the moment for graduates...is that just for UK residents or is it for anyone from the UK?

[Victoria09]

That's for GEP only. I think- but don't quote me- you have to have been resident in the UK for three years, and working too (i.e. not be here just for studying).

[Arch_Angel]

I think you have to have lived here for 3 years........think......

[Dr Noodle]

Is that prior to study? I lived there until I was eight (cos of that I'm not allowed to donate blood).