Version 0.1 - Last Updated: 31 Jan 2023

Change of circumstances

Full-time course on a part-time basis


A student might need to attend a year of their course on a part-time basis, over 2 years instead of one. If the course is full-time, the student will remain eligible for full-time support. Students who attend a full-time course on a part-time basis are subject to previous study rules.

If you agree to prolong their attendance over 2 years in the first year of study, we'll award the student fee support in the first year of the split. This will use their additional year of funding.

If you agree to prolong their attendance over 2 years after the first year of study, we'll award the student fee support in the final year of the split. We will not pay tuition fees in the first year of the split.

You should use the Fee CoC to submit the details and include a note. We cannot award compelling personal reasons for repeat study to students who've agreed to split the academic year over 2 or more years.


Example 1

A new student applies in academic year 2019/20. You agree in academic year 2019/20 that they'll study their final year over 2 years: academic years 2021/22 and 2022/23. The overall entitlement will be:

  • academic year 2019/20 – year 1 of 3: funded (standard entitlement)
  • academic year 2020/21 – year 2 of 3: funded (standard entitlement)
  • academic year 2021/22 – year 3 of 3: funded (additional year – full year rate)
  • academic year 2022/23 – year 3 of 3: funded (standard entitlement – final year rate)

Example 2

A student has previously studied full-time for one academic year. This was before they started their current course. They did not gain a qualification from the previous course and there's been no indication of compelling personal reasons. You and the student agree that they can complete their second year over 2 academic years. The overall entitlement will be:

  • academic year 2019/20 – year 1 of 3: funded (standard entitlement)
  • academic year 2020/21 – year 2 of 3: not funded (no tuition fees)
  • academic year 2021/22 – year 2 of 3: funded (standard entitlement)
  • academic year 2022/23 – year 3 of 3: funded (standard entitlement)

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