Course designation

Q1: Which courses are in scope of the LLE funding?

Updated 14 March 2024

A: The following qualifications are in scope:

• Courses delivered in the UK that are eligible for funding for English-domiciled students under the current SFE HE student finance service.
• All qualifications which currently attract SFE funding as undergraduate courses, as detailed in Annex C of the Lifelong Loan Entitlement Government Consultation Response.
• Some ALL-funded Level 4-6 qualifications offered by OfS registered providers. The finalised list of approved qualifications will be confirmed in mid 2024 following a technical consultation, which will consider student demand and employer endorsement.

Q2: What new modular courses are in scope for the LLE?

Updated 18 April 2024

A: Modular funding will be phased in, initially focusing on higher technical courses, which have clear links to employment or where they address skills gaps to support students into jobs that employers need. From January of academic year 2025/26, this will be initially targeted at:

• All HTQs (approved to deliver skills employers need); and,
• Technical qualifications at levels 4 and 5 currently funded through the ALL system which have a clear line of sight to an occupational map and employer support and are offered by an OfS registered provider.

This will pave the way for expanding out new modular funding to broader level 4, 5 and 6 provision in 2027.

Q3: What courses, in scope of the LLE, will attract maintenance support?

A: Maintenance loans will be available for all designated courses and modules that require in-person attendance under the LLE, as will targeted support grants such as the Disabled Student Allowance and the Childcare Grant.

• Maintenance support will be subject to personal criteria such as income, and these criteria will broadly remain the same as now.
• As now, maintenance support will be available for disabled distance students who are unable to attend a course for a reason related to their disability.

Q4: Are Distance Learners in scope for the LLE?

A: Distance learners are in scope for tuition fee funding under the LLE. However, they will not be eligible for maintenance support. This is a continuation of the current system, and any existing exemptions will roll over so that distance learning students with disabilities will continue to be eligible for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).

Q5: Are apprenticeships in scope?

A: Apprenticeships are not in scope and will continue under current arrangements.

Q6: What is the Qualification Gateway?

Added 21 March 2024

A: The Qualification Gateway is an approval process that will allow new qualifications to be approved for LLE funding. The gateway will launch in September 2025 and we will publish further information in Summer 2024. 

It is separate from the HTQ approval process, which will continue to operate.

Qualifications approved through the gateway must be:

• level 4 to 6
• Ofqual regulated
• at least 30 credits
• occupational (but not necessarily employer-led or developed)

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) will be notified when technical qualifications submitted to the gateway. IfATE’s approval process will ensure that technical qualifications align with employer needs and lead to positive employment outcomes for learners.