How much will university cost?

Before embarking on your higher education adventure, you will want to know how much it’s all going to cost you. Your main costs will be tuition fees, accommodation and living costs. With all the information available about undergraduate loans, grants and bursaries, it can be quite confusing, but we’re here to help you. As well as the information on these pages, our website has a dedicated section which will be updated regularly – visit the higher education section of the website.

Tuition Fees

At the time of writing tuition fees for the 2010-11 academic year are £3290.00 for home and EU students and £6,580 for international students. Part-time fees were £1,450.00. This rises annually with inflation.

The College will no longer receive government funding for students who are undertaking a qualification that is equivalent to, or lower than, a qualification that they have already been awarded. Students undertaking a degree scheme at the College from 2009 entry onwards, who already hold an equivalent or higher qualification, will be required to pay the international fee. There are likely to be exemptions for students studying some subjects, such as initial teacher training and students studying for Foundation Degrees or Social Work degree.

Fees Table Payment Schedule 2010-11
Fee Guide 2010-2011 (Home and EU New Fees)
Fee Guide 2010-11 (Overseas New Fees)
HE FEES GUIDE ITT STUDENTS 2010-2011
Regulations relating to Registration

Cost of Living

In addition to tuition fees, students need to budget to allow for the cost of living, as well as for study materials, trips etc, during their course. Students may wish to apply for a loan if their funds or work income is not sufficient to cover their needs. More information about budgeting for the cost of living as a student is available at:

http://www.nusonline.co.uk
http://www.direct.gov.uk

For students who will require a student visa, the UK Border Agency is currently quoting £800 per month or £9,600 per year for living expenses in the UK. Therefore, student visa applicants may be required to show availability of this level of funds in making a visa application.

Financial Assistance to Students in 2010/11

Financial assistance with the cost of your course is available either through a repayable loan or a government grant (subject to conditions). Bursaries are also available. See the above Fee and Payment Schedule 2010/11.

Repayable Loans

Tuition Fees

Student loans are available to all students, to cover tuition fees. These are arranged through your Local Authority (LA) subject to certain restrictions, and are paid direct to us on your behalf. The loan will become repayable once you have finished your course and are earning over £15,000 per year.

Maintenance Loan - Cost of Living

A student loan for maintenance (living costs) is also available, paid directly to the student. For more details about this type of loan please contact our Student Support Services Team and visit http://www.direct.gov.uk.

Government Grants (Non-repayable)

A maintenance grant may also be available if you have a low household income. The grant is calculated on a sliding scale by your Local Authority. Unlike both of the available loans this grant is not repayable.

If you intend to apply for this assistance from your LA you must do this as soon as possible. Applicants should note that a new application for assistance with fees needs to be made to the LA at the beginning of each academic year and is not automatically carried forward from the previous year.

You are responsible for ensuring payment of your fees. If applying for assistance from the LA, including loans, you may have your support withdrawn if you do not supply all relevant information required by the LA and therefore become liable for the full cost of the course yourself.

Bursaries

The University and College are committed to ensuring that no student is deterred from applying for a course due to financial hardship. We offer bursary schemes to assist such students (limited to UK students only). Please note: EU students are not eligible for the UK Government maintenance grant or the College Bursary. EU students should contact the Government in their own country to see if they are eligible for any financial support from them.

Low Income Bursary

This will consist of £400 to each student whose household income is assessed to be less than £25,000. This bursary will decrease on a sliding scale.

FE College Bursary

This will take the form of a non-means tested bursary of £300 to any student who registers for a degree programme at the College within one year of completion of their studies as a state school or further education college. The bursary will be payable as applicable for year 1, year 2 and year 3 of the programme.

Foundation Degree Bursary

This will take the form of a non-means tested bursary of £400 for any student who registers for a Foundation Degree programme at the College. The bursary will be payable for both year one and ear two of the Foundation Degree and to those students who progress to the third (top up) year of the Honours Degree programme.

Although these bursaries are awarded by the College you need to apply to the LA to process the application.

UK students - for all residual household income categories, the College bursary will be in addition to the assistance available from the Student Loan Company. If students are eligible they may claim all or multiple bursaries

Access to Learning Fund

This fund may be available as a last resort to both full- and part-time students who are struggling financially. It is a discretionary fund and students will be expected to explore all other statutory support before applying to the fund. Application forms will be available from Student Support Services after you have enrolled on your course. The fund does not pay towards your tuition fees but may help towards general living costs, childcare costs and incidental course costs.

Non UK Students

• Fees for EU Students - At the time of writing these are not set please refer to www.southend.ac.uk. As a guide the fees for EU student for 2010-11 are £3,290
• Fees for International (Non EU) Students - At the time of writing these are not set please refer to www.southend.ac.uk. As a guide the fees for International students for 2010-11 are £6,580

Students from EU countries are classed as ‘home’ students and pay the same fees as UK students. More information is available to EU students from the EU team at the Department for Education and Skills at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport or phone +44 (0)1325 391199).

Setting up a Bank Account for your Student Finances

It is very important that you open a bank account, if you do not already have one, as all of your student loan instalments will go directly into the account. You will get information about opening a student account at the Student Fair during your first term. Alternatively, you will find a wide choice of banks in Southend High Street, next to the College.

Students with disabilities or difficulties

If you incur costs as the direct result of a disability or difficulty (e.g. travel, computer software etc) you may be eligible for additional financial support via the Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs). An explanatory booklet entitled ‘Bridging the Gap’ is available from the DfES by calling 0800 731 9133 (also available in braille and audiotape) or visit their website at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport.

Further information

Your first point of contact regarding loans and grants including DSAs (above) is your Local Education Authority (LA) via your council. Further information about funding assistance is available from http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport or http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk

'A Parents’ Guide to Higher Education' is available from UCAS on 01242 227788. All guides can be found on http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport.

To discuss any of this in more detail, you are welcome to contact our Finance team on 01702 220500 or email guidance@southend.ac.uk where you will be able to discuss by email or arrange an appointment to see a student adviser.

*Information on Tuition Fees is correct at the time of publication. The College reserves the right to change tuition fees. If you accept an offer of a place at the College, the tuition fee for your course will be stated to you in writing when your place is confirmed, prior to registration.

*Overseas students will not normally be allowed to enter the UK on a student visa for a part-time course. Individuals who are already in the UK with an alternative from of immigration status should check their eligibility to undertake part-time study before applying for a course.