Equivalent or Lower Level Qualifications (ELQ)

1. If you are applying for a higher education course commencing after 1st September 2009 but already possess a qualification at the same level, you should be aware that you will be liable to pay an increased tuition fee for your degree course as a result of recent changes in the Government’s funding of Higher Education.  This means that if you already have a degree in a particular subject, but wish to undertake another degree course in a different discipline, you will be charged the higher fee as shown in Appendix B as opposed to the £3,225 fee that students will pay if they are taking a degree for the first time. 

2. You may not be able to obtain financial support if you have previously taken a course of higher education.  However rules are complex and you should seek further information from www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance or contact Student Services on (01206) 712293.

3. Programmes which are exempt from the ELQ higher fees:

a)  Foundation degrees are exempt.

Please note that a student with an equivalent or higher qualification will be exempt while enrolled on the foundation degree but they may be classified as ELQ when they enrol on a ‘top-up’ year for an honours degree.

However the Art and Design foundation year 0 is not exempt from the policy.  The foundation year is not considered a stand alone qualification as it is fully integrated into a wider HE qualification therefore ELQ does not apply specifically to the foundation year of the programme but to the programme it is integrated into.

b) Initial or in-service teacher training courses (courses with the primary purpose of improving the effectiveness of teachers, lecturers and trainers).

c)  Separately monitored co-funded additional student numbers (including employer engagement).

4. Individual students who will be exempt from the ELQ fees:

a)  Any student in receipt of Disabled Student Allowance (DSA).

b) Students on Masters programmes will not be considered to be ELQ if they hold a postgraduate diploma.

c) Students with PGCEs will also be treated as bachelor degree students when enrolling on postgraduate programmes.

d) Students holding an MA from Oxford, Cambridge or a Scottish University will be treated as Bachelor degree students when enrolling on postgraduate programmes.

e) Students studying for a first higher education level qualification by accumulating credit on a succession of  modules should not be treated as aiming for an ELQ.

5. Identification of a student with an ELQ may take place at application, enrolment or on course.  At any stage the student will be required to provide accurate information on previous qualifications. If a student is identified as having an ELQ part way through a course then the higher fee will be charged.

Random sampling may be used to check accuracy of student declarations using other data held.