Previous study and funding

Q1: Will existing Equivalent of Lower Qualification rules still apply?

Amended 23 November 2023

A: The LLE will remove the existing Equivalent or Lower Qualifications rule meaning that students can use their entitlement to train, retrain and upskill flexibly, regardless of prior qualifications attained (subject to having sufficient entitlement left).

Q2: Are all Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) restrictions removed or, as the LLE covers levels 4 – 6, would someone with a higher qualification than level 6, such as masters, not be eligible?

A: The ELQ restrictions that are currently part of SFE funding policy would limit the LLE system in supporting flexible lifelong learning. As such, they will not be a feature of the LLE. An applicant with a qualification at level 7 would still be eligible for LLE funding at levels 4-6, although this would depend on the details of the funding for their level 7 qualification, their residual entitlement may be reduced.

Note that level 7 courses will not typically be available within the LLE, and separate ELQ rules for the postgraduate funding system may still apply. Courses leading to qualifications at level 7 that are currently eligible for funding, such as integrated master’s courses, will typically continue to be designated for funding under the LLE.

It follows, therefore, that students completing a qualification at any level in academic year 2024/25 will have the option of progressing to any course or module designated for LLE funding, regardless of its level (subject to them having sufficient residual entitlement).

Q3: What happens to students already in study when LLE launches?

Updated 18 April 2024

A: Any students currently in study at the point of the LLE’s launch in January 2026 will remain on their current funding arrangements until at least 2028/29. Consideration is being given to their legacy funding offer, if still relevant, in subsequent years, with a focus on ensuring students retain sufficient funding to complete their course.

It is expected that if a student is still in receipt of government support for a course they are on in January of academic year 2025/26, their access to LLE funding may be restricted until they have completed their original course. We will provide further details in due course. 

Q4: Will the students’ previous loans be taken in account?

Updated 18 April 2024

A: Students with prior study starting a course from January in academic year 2025/26 may have access to a residual entitlement, calculated based on reductions from the starting “fixed entitlement” to reflect previous government-funded study.