Frequently Asked Questions

I'm a student from Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales - what do I need to know?

There are different fee and support arrangements in place for students from these countries - please go to www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance (link will open in a new window) for more information. For details on support from the University of Bradford see our 'support' web pages.

I'm a student from the EU - what do I need to know?

EU students are treated similarly to Home students - you will pay the same fees, be eligible for the fee loan and the University of Bradford Bursary (if you meet the income criteria). However, you will not be able to receive a Maintenance Grant or a student loan towards living costs unless you have Home status, i.e. have been resident in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of your course. For more information go to www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance (link will open in a new window)

I'm an international student - what do I need to know?

You will continue to pay the current rate of fees applicable to International students, and the support outlined here is generally not available to you. However, there are other scholarships and means of financial help available. For more information visit our International Office website.

I'm a mature student - what do I need to know?

You will be eligible, depending on income, for the same support as those coming to university straight from school, i.e. fee loans, student loans for living costs and the Maintenance Grant. If you have dependants (adults or children) you may be eligible for additional financial help.

I'm a student with disabilities - what do I need to know?

You will be eligible for all the usual support - one difference is that instead of a Maintenance Grant from the Government you will receive a Special Support Grant, which is the same value as the Maintenance Grant, but enables you to access a full student loan for living costs. You will also be eligible to receive a Disabled Students' ’ Allowance (see the Directgov website for more information, link will open in a new window). You can also contact our Disability Office on 01274 233739 or email disabilities@bradford.ac.uk

I'm a part-time student - what do I need to know?

The changes will not affect fees for part-time students, however the level of support that you are entitled to has increased. See the Directgov website for more information (link will open in a new window).

I only get a small maintenance grant from the Government. Am I entitled to a University of Bradford Bursary?

You can get a University of Bradford Bursary if you are on any level of Maintenance Grant. We anticipate that around 80% of our students will be able to benefit from our Bursary Scheme. You may also be eligible for the £300 Compact Award in the first year of your course if you registered with and participated in the University's Compact Scheme during your time at school or college.

How do I apply for a University of Bradford Bursary?

There is no separate application form – it is all done via the application for financial support that you submit to The Student Finance Service. You must read the final declaration on this form, which gives your consent to share information for bursaries. This ensures that your details are then passed onto us so we can assess if you are eligible for a bursary and then make a payment to you.

I’m an EU student – can I get a University of Bradford Bursary?

You will be eligible for a University of Bradford Bursary if your family income is under £60,000 (2010/11 figure) a year, as assessed by the EU team in Darlington. When you fill in your application form for support, you will need to give consent to allow the EU team to contact you to perform an income assessment. Without this, we will not be able to assess if you are eligible for a bursary or make a payment to you.

What happens if I need to resit a year of my course for some reason?

You can get funding, i.e. a grant, fee loan and student loan, for the duration of your course plus one year - so if you are doing a 3-year degree you can access 4 years of funding. If you need any extra, you will have to go to The Student Finance Service and put forward a special case to receive extra support.

How do I repay my loan?

You will automatically repay your loan through the tax system (PAYE) when you are in employment and earning over £15,000 per year. Payments will be deducted straight from your wages. If your salary drops below this level or you are not in work, your payments will stop. Any outstanding loans will be written off after 25 years. If you leave a course early you will still pay any loan that you owe in the same way.

What is the level of interest?

Interest is very low - usually at the rate of inflation, so in real terms you will be paying back what you borrowed. Interest will be added to your student loan from the time you start University; it will be added to your fee loan from the February after you start your course. Interest rates were 0% in September 2009.

I don't really like the idea of taking out a loan or being in debt?

It is important to remember that the debt from a student loan is not like the debt from a credit card or bank loan. You only ever really pay back what you borrow and the repayments are linked to what you earn and therefore what you can afford - most students say that they don’t notice the repayments going out of their wages each month. The key issue is that you have used this money to make an investment in yourself and improved your chances of getting a great job and the career that you have always dreamed of.

How do I make sure that I get my loan at the start of my course?

You will need to apply to The Student Finance Service, in person or online, as soon as possible. If your application is received by the end of June, the Government guarantees that you will get your money when you start your course. You will need to make sure that you provide your National Insurance Number and Bank Details - without these they cannot process your application.

When will I get my Bursary?

Your bursary will be paid to you on the 18th March, provided that you are still attending the University of Bradford and fully participating in your programme of study i.e. attending all compulsory elements of the course such as tutorials, workshops or seminars; and that you have submitted all end of semester one coursework and / or participated in your examinations. Students have told us that this is a time of year when there is extra financial pressure on them, and a well-timed bursary payment would go some way to alleviating these pressures.

How will I know how much support I am entitled to?

Once your application has been assessed by The Student Finance Service you will receive a letter called a 'Support Notification' from Student Finance Direct. This will tell you the amount of fee loan and student loan you will receive, how much Maintenance Grant you will get and if you are entitled to any additional grants. You will also receive a letter from the University confirming if you will get a University of Bradford Bursary in late February after you have started your course.

I’m not entitled to any financial support from the Government as I have been to University before - is there any other help out there for me?

If you already have a degree or even have studied at University for a few years, then you may only be entitled to a reduced package of financial support from the Government, or you may have to fund the course yourself. You will have to look at your finances very carefully and at any bursaries or scholarships that the University may offer. We can pay you your University of Bradford Bursary, if you are eligible, provided that you submit a financial support application to The Student Finance Service and are means tested, even though you will not be able to receive any national support. For major expenses such as fees and accommodation there are some specific loans available.

For more information on these Professional and Career Development Loans visit the DirectGov website.

Tuition Fees, Scholarships and Bursaries