Fees and Finance

If you’re eligible, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan through Student Finance England to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, so you won’t need to pay them before your course starts.

You’ll only begin repaying your loan once you’ve completed your course and your income is above the government repayment threshold.

Apply through Student Finance England.

If your employer has agreed to fund your course, they’ll be invoiced for the full cost of your tuition fees after you enrol.

Before you enrol, you’ll need to provide either:

• A signed letter on company-headed paper, or
• An official purchase order confirming your employer’s agreement to fund your studies.

You’ll need to provide this documentation at enrolment.

If you’re paying your own tuition fees, you’ll need to arrange payment when you enrol.

A member of our Finance Team can explain the payment options available and help you set up a payment plan if needed.

Any outstanding tuition fees must be paid before the final day of your course.

A Maintenance Loan can help with everyday living costs such as accommodation, travel, food and study materials.

The amount you receive depends on your household income, where you live while studying and your individual circumstances. Maintenance Loans are paid directly to you throughout the academic year to help with your living costs.

Read more about Maintenance Loans (UCAS).

If you’re studying full-time and have dependent children, you may be able to apply for a Childcare Grant to help with the cost of registered childcare. This funding does not need to be repaid.

To be eligible, your child must normally be under 15 years old, or under 17 if they have special educational needs. Childcare must be provided by an Ofsted-registered childcare provider.

Student Finance England may contribute up to 85% of your childcare costs, depending on your household income and personal circumstances.

Check your eligibility for the Childcare Grant (GOV.UK).

Parents’ Learning Allowance helps with additional study-related costs if you have dependent children. This funding does not need to be repaid.

The amount you receive depends on your household income and individual circumstances. Applications are made as part of your student finance application.

Learn more about Parents’ Learning Allowance (GOV.UK).

If you’re studying full-time and financially support another adult, you may be eligible for an Adult Dependants’ Grant.

This funding does not need to be repaid. The amount awarded depends on your income, the income of the adult dependant, your family circumstances and any other student support you receive.

Applications are made as part of your student finance application.

View the Adult Dependants’ Grant guidance (GOV.UK).

The UCO Bursary can help eligible UK students with the cost of studying. It does not need to be repaid.

You don’t need to apply. We’ll use information from Student Finance and your student record to check whether you’re eligible.

To qualify, you must:

• Be a new student enrolled on an eligible UCO undergraduate course lasting at least one year
• Complete a household income assessment through the Student Loans Company (SLC)
• Have a household income of £26,000 or less
• Maintain at least 85% attendance at the time of payment.

Eligible courses include a degree, foundation degree, HNC or HND.

If you’re eligible, we’ll contact you through your UCO email address. You’ll receive £500, paid directly into your bank account in two instalments of £250 in January and £250 in May.

Returning students, including those progressing from a Foundation Year to the first year of a Foundation Degree or Honours Degree, and students repeating modules are not eligible. Postgraduate and teacher training courses, including Cert Ed, PGCE and PGDE, are also excluded.

Household income assessment

Household income is usually based on the income before tax of the parents, parents’ partners or legal guardians you live with.

You’ll need a household income assessment to receive the bursary, even if you don’t want to take out a student loan.

If you’re a new full-time student applying through Student Finance England, you’ll need to complete a PN1 form.

Find student finance forms on GOV.UK.

Your assessment must be finalised and updated on the Student Loans Company’s Bursary Administration Service before the bursary can be awarded.

If you’re experiencing financial difficulties while studying, you may be able to apply for help through our Cost of Living Support Fund.

Support is normally provided as a non-repayable grant and cannot be used to pay tuition fees.

The Fund is available to eligible full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Priority is given to students who may face additional financial challenges, including:

• Students with children
• Students from low-income households
• Mature students with existing financial commitments
• Part-time students receiving the full support package
• Students with disabilities
• Care leavers
• Students from Armed Forces families
• Students in their final year of study.

Before applying, you’ll normally need to have accessed all other funding available to you, including your full student finance entitlement.

Applications are assessed based on your individual circumstances, including your income and reasonable living costs. Emergency financial support may also be available if your circumstances change unexpectedly.

When applying, you’ll need to provide:

• A personal statement explaining why you’re applying
• Recent bank statements
• Rent or housing statements
• Benefit statements, where applicable
• Student Finance letters and payment schedules
• Any other documents that show your circumstances.

Apply as early as possible, as funding is limited.

To request a Cost of Living Support Fund application form, email info@uco.oldham.ac.uk.

Eligible Oldham College students progressing to University Campus Oldham (UCO) may be able to apply for the Untapped Potential Scholarship.

The scholarship provides £1,000 during your first year of study to help with costs such as travel, study resources and equipment.

Find out more about the Untapped Potential Scholarship.

If you have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, you may be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).

DSA can help with study-related costs, including specialist equipment, non-medical helper support, software or other support you may need while studying.

DSA is separate from other student finance and does not need to be repaid. Eligibility is based on your individual needs rather than your household income.

Find out more about Disabled Students’ Allowance (GOV.UK).