Tuition Fees 

New Full-time Students 

The 2012-2013 Tuition Fee for new students starting on all full-time Foundation Degree in Higher Education at the Bournemouth & Poole College as a Partner College of Bournemouth University will be £6,000. The BSc top up will be £8,200.

Continuing Full-time Students

The following fees will apply to Higher Education courses run at Bournemouth and Poole College in 2012-2013:

Foundation Degree students continuing their studies without any break following the 2011-2012 academic year will pay £3,465.

Students on Top-up Degree Courses continuing their studies into level H without any break following the 2011-2012 academic year will pay £3,465.

New Part-time Students

The fees for new students part-time students starting Foundation Degrees in 2012–2013 are normally £3,000 to £4,000 per year (based on £1,000 per 20 credit units and depending on the number of units studied). If a course is studied intensively the fees may be considerably higher.

Continuing Part-time Students

For further information regarding part-time tuition fees  for continuing students in 2012-2013, please contact the HE Unit (+44 (0) 1202 205180) or Course Administrator for fee information.

(Please note that all fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per annum.  Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise.  Fees are subject to annual review.)

Tuition Fee Loan

At the start of each academic year, UK/EU undergraduate students (for full-time and part-time courses) may take out a loan to contribute towards their annual tuition fee.  UK residents should apply on-line via Student Finance England. This is paid directly to the university by the Student Loans Company. The loan will only need to be repaid when the student has left college/university and is earning over £21,000 a year. Students repay the loan at 9% of earnings above £21,000.

Taking out a student loan is a serious undertaking.  For further information visit: 

www.studentcalculator.org.uk

www.studentfinance2012.com/files/StudentGuide.pdf

EU residents should contact the European Team, at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on +44(0)141 243 3570 or visit Direct Gov. Tuition Fee Loans are paid directly to the university by the Student Loans Company.

Please note: If you have studied in Higher Education previously this could potentially restrict the amount of fee and maintenance support available to you. Please check with Student Finance England or your awarding body.

Student Maintenance Loan (UK students only)

This loan is to help you with your living costs whilst at university or college and is means-tested. The amount you can borrow depends upon where you live and your household income. All students who have been permanently resident in the UK in the 3 years prior to the course commencing are eligible for 65% of the loan, with eligibility for the remaining 35% based on your household income.  The level of maintenance loan available will range between £3,575-£5,500.  As with the Tuition Fee Loan you will only need to start repaying the loan once you have left University and are earning over £21,000 a year.

You can visit the online calculator on the Student Finance England website to find out your exact entitlement for the Maintenance Loan. The Student Loans Company usually pays your loan in three instalments (termly) directly into your bank or building society account.

Details of this and other financial help available can be found on:

• www.bournemouth.ac.uk/futurestudents/undergraduate/funding/bu-fees-funding.html
• www.solent.ac.uk/student-life/fees/faqs/2012effect.aspx
• www.solent.ac.uk/student-life/welfare/funding/funding-advice.aspx
• www.soton.ac.uk/study/feesandfunding/feesandfunding_2012.html

Maintenance Grant /Living Cost Grant  (UK students only) 

A grant, as opposed to a loan, is a non-repayable award which is available to students from low-income households. The aim of this grant is to help with day-to-day costs, typically accommodation, travel and domestic bills etc.

Students from households with an income of £25,000 or below may apply for a non-repayable award of up to £3,250 a year. The grant will be based on a total household income .

A partial grant is available for students with a household income of £25,000 - £42,600.  Students will be assessed automatically at the time they apply to the Student Loans Company.

If you get or qualify for Income Support or Housing Benefit you may get the Special Support Grant instead of the Maintenance Grant. The amount you can get through the Special Support Grant is the same as that available through the Maintenance Grant but it won’t reduce how much you get for your Maintenance Loan.

You are likely to qualify for the Special Support Grant if:

• you’re a single parent
• your partner is also a student
• you have certain disabilities

The Special Support Grant doesn’t count as income when working out if you’re entitled to income-related benefits or tax credits.

Applying for your funding

Student Finance England (and the equivalent authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland) have advised that students may apply for their funding from December 2011. They recommend that you apply for your support as early as possible so that they can make your financial assessment in good time

Bursaries for students studying on a degree awarded by Bournemouth University

National Scholarship Programme

The Government have created the National Scholarship Programme for students who need financial support during their time at University.

The BU Bursary includes a funding allocation from the National Scholarship along with additional support from the University itself.

Am I eligible for the BU Maintenance Bursary?

You may be considered for a BU Maintenance Bursary if you meet the following criteria as set out by the Government:

• Your family income is less than £25,000* per annum which means you are eligible for the maximum Living Cost Grant (also known as the Maintenance Grant) from Student Finance England
• You are a new full or part-time** undergraduate student starting university for the first time in 2012, studying a course at BU or one of our Partner Institutions (there are some exclusions, please see the criteria below)
• You (and/or your family) are responsible for your own fees and living expenses, and not sponsored by a company or charity.

* as per student finance data recorded as at 16 June 2012

** part-time students must be studying a minimum of 25% of the course in each academic year.

You can only apply for a BU Maintenance Bursary if you have chosen Bournemouth University as your Firm choice through UCAS (i.e. your status on UCAS track is showing as U/F or C/F).

In selecting students to receive a BU Bursary, priority will be given to applicants who:

• have prior experience in any of the following: community volunteering, mentoring/peer support projects, sports, extra curricular activities, work experience, caring responsibilities and therefore have excellent potential as a future ambassador for Bournemouth University
• live in lower participation to Higher Education neighbourhood

What will I get if I’m awarded BU Maintenance Bursary?

This depends on what type of course you are studying with us, but the elements of the support you receive are similar in all cases. Taking into account our experience with current students in financial need, we have developed a range of support mechanisms to help you succeed in your studies.

Successful applicants of the BU Maintenance Bursary

What if I am a Part-time Student?

 As a part-time student starting in 2012-2013

• You can now apply for a Tuition Fee Loan from summer 2012.  Grants have now been replaced.
• You may be entitled to a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £6,750 provided your course is at least 25% of a full time course (e.g. four years part-time instead of one year full time).
•  If you start a two or three year course in 2012, you will not start paying back your loan until the April following completion of the course in the previous summer.
• Once you are earning £21,000 a year, you will have to start paying back your loan after four years even if your course hasn’t finished.  The thresholds for repayment are £403 per week, £1,750 per month or £21,000 per year.  Even if you do not earn £21,000 a year but exceed the weekly or monthly threshold at any point in the year, e.g. overtime, then a student loan deduction will be made.
• You may pay back all or some of your loan at any time without incurring an early repayment charge.
• You may be eligible for a BU Maintenance Bursary providing your family income is less than £25,000 per annum, you are starting university for the first time in 2012, and you are studying 25% of the course in each academic year.  You can only apply for a BU Maintenance Bursary if you have chosen Bournemouth University as your Firm choice through UCAS.
• Unlike full time students, you cannot apply for a Maintenance Loan for living costs like rent.                                         
• Unlike full time students, you cannot apply for a Maintenance Grant if your household income is less than £42,600.       
   

Further Information

For more information on finance for HE studies visit the Directgov website or by downloading this quick guide to financing your university study.

For new students

31 May 2012 is the deadline for applying for your student finance so, if you’re planning to start a full-time course at university or college later this year and haven’t applied yet for your student finance, go online today and apply at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

You don’t have to have a confirmed place – simply use your first choice of course and change it online at a later date if you need to.

For continuing students

29 June 2012 is the deadline for re-applying for your student finance so, if you’re returning to a full-time course at university or college later this year and haven’t applied yet for your student finance, go online today and apply at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance