The Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011

Eligible postgraduate students E+W

159.—F1 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Subject to [F2 the following provisions of this regulation], a person is an eligible postgraduate student in connection with a designated postgraduate course if in assessing the student's application for support the Secretary of State determines that the student satisfies the conditions in paragraph (3).

[F3 (3) The conditions are—

(a) the person falls within one of the categories set out—

(i) in paragraphs 2, 2A, 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5, 6A, 7A, 8A, 9A, 9B, [F4 9BA,] 9C, 9D, 10ZA, 11A, 12A [F5 , 13 [F6 , 14, 15 and 16]] in Part 2 of Schedule 1; or

(ii) in paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10A, 11 and 12 in Part 2 of Schedule 1, where paragraph (3A) applies; and

(b) the person has a disability.

(3A) This paragraph applies where—

(a) in connection with a designated postgraduate course beginning before 1st August 2021, the Secretary of State—

(i) in assessing an application for support by a person (“A”) determined that A fell within one of the categories set out in paragraphs 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10A, 11 and 12 in Part 2 of Schedule 1 in relation to an academic year of the course beginning before 1st August 2021; or

(ii) would have so determined had A made an application for support in accordance with this Part in relation to an academic year of the course beginning before that date; and

(b) A applies for support in connection with that course, or a designated postgraduate course to which A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student is transferred from that course in accordance with this Part.

(3B) In connection with a designated postgraduate course beginning on or after 1st January 2028, paragraph (3)(a) has effect as if it did not mention paragraphs 8A [F7 , 9B, 9BA and 9D].]

(4) A person (“A”) is not an eligible postgraduate student if—

[F8 (a) A is, in connection with the course—

(i) eligible to apply for a healthcare bursary;

(ii) eligible to apply for any allowance under the Nursing and Midwifery Student Allowances (Scotland) Regulations 2007;

(iii) eligible to apply for any allowance, bursary or award of a similar description made by UKRI;

(iv) eligible to apply for any allowance, bursary or award of a similar description made by A’s institution which includes any payment for the purpose of meeting additional expenditure incurred by A by reason of A’s disability;

(v) in receipt of any allowance, bursary or award of a similar description made under section 67(4)(a) of the Care Standards Act 2000, or under section 46 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017, which includes payment for meeting additional expenditure incurred by A by reason of A’s disability, save to the extent that A is in receipt of such an allowance, bursary or award in respect of travel expenses; or

(vi) in receipt of any allowance, bursary or award of a similar description made under section 116(2)(a) of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 which includes payment for meeting additional expenditure incurred by A by reason of A’s disability;]

[F9 (aa) A is eligible for a healthcare tuition payment;]

[F10 (ab) A is studying on a course as part of an apprenticeship;]

(b) A is in breach of an obligation to repay any loan;

(c) A has reached the age of 18 and has not ratified any agreement for a loan made with A when A was under the age of 18;

(d) A has, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, shown by A's conduct that A is unfitted to receive support; or

(e) subject to paragraph (5), A is a prisoner.

(5) Paragraph (4)(e) does not apply-

(a) in respect of an academic year during which the student enters prison or is released from prison; or

(b) where the current course began before 1st September 2012.

(6) For the purposes of paragraphs (4)(b) and (4)(c), “loan” means a loan made under any provision of the student loans legislation.

(7) In a case where the agreement for a loan is subject to the law of Scotland, paragraph (4)(c) only applies if the agreement was made—

(a) before 25th September 1991; and

(b) with the concurrence of the borrower's curator or at a time when the borrower had no curator.

(8) An eligible postgraduate student does not qualify for a grant under this Part if the only paragraph [F11 or paragraphs in Part 2 of Schedule 1 into which the student falls is one or more of [F12 paragraphs 2A, 3(1)(d)(ii), 6A(1)(c)(ii), 7A(1)(b)(ii), 9, 9A, 9BA, 9BB, 9C, 9D, 10ZA(d)(ii), 11A(c)(ii) and 12A(d)(ii).]

(9) Subject to paragraph (10), where the current post graduate course begins on or after 1st September 2012, an eligible postgraduate student does not qualify for a grant under this regulation if the intensity of study during the academic year for which support is claimed is less than 25% [F13 of an equivalent full-time course].

(10) Regulation (9) does not apply where the student transfers to the current postgraduate course pursuant to regulation 163 from a course beginning before 1st September 2012.

(11) An eligible postgraduate student does not qualify for a grant under this Part unless the Secretary of State considers that the student is undertaking the course in the United Kingdom.

F14 (12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F15 (13) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F16 (14) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(15) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a refugee or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of a refugee, a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the current postgraduate course or an application for support in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which A's status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the current postgraduate course; and

(b) as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the refugee status of A or of A's spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent [F17 has expired and—

(i) no further leave to remain has been granted;

(ii) no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002); and

(iii) the person (A or A’s spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent) whose refugee status has expired has not become a British or Irish citizen,]

A's status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

[F18 (15A) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a person granted stateless leave or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of a person granted stateless leave, a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with—

(i) an application for support for an earlier year of the current postgraduate course, or

(ii) an application for support in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the current postgraduate course, and

(b) as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person granted stateless leave is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted [F19 and that person has not become a British or Irish citizen],

A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.]

[F20 (15B) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a person granted section 67 leave, a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with—

(i) an application for support for an earlier year of the current postgraduate course, or

(ii) an application for support in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the current postgraduate course, and

(b) as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person granted section 67 leave is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted [F21 and that person has not become a British or Irish citizen],

A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.]

[F22 (15C) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a person granted Calais leave, a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with—

(i) an application for support for an earlier year of the current postgraduate course; or

(ii) an application for support in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the current postgraduate course; and

(b) as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which A is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted [F23 and A has not become a British or Irish citizen],

A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.]

(16) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a person granted humanitarian protection or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person, a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with an application for support for an earlier year of the current postgraduate course or an application for support in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which A's status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the current postgraduate course; and

(b) as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support, the period for which the person granted humanitarian protection is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom [F24 has expired and—

(i) no further leave to remain has been granted;

(ii) no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002); and

(iii) the person (A or A’s spouse, civil partner, parent or step-parent) whose period for which they are allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired has not become a British or Irish citizen,]

A's status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

[F25 (16A) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a person with protected rights with limited leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules, a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with—

(i) an application for support for an earlier year of the current postgraduate course; or

(ii) an application for support in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the current postgraduate course; and

(b) as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, A no longer has extant limited leave to enter or remain granted by virtue of residence scheme immigration rules and no further leave to enter or remain has been granted under those rules [F26 and A has not become a British or Irish citizen],

A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.

(16B) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State has determined, that by virtue of—

(i) falling within [F27 paragraph (1)(a) F28 ... (iv) or (v)] of the definition of “person with protected rights”; or

(ii) meeting the conditions in paragraph 3(1)(a) F29 ... (iv) in Part 2 of Schedule 1,

a person (“A”) is an eligible postgraduate student in connection with an application for support for an academic year of a designated postgraduate course; and

[F30 (b)] as at the day before the academic year begins A is not a person with protected rights [F31 and has not become a British or Irish citizen],

A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.]

[F32 (16C) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a person granted leave under [F33 one of the Afghan Schemes] [F34 or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person], a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with—

(i) an application for support for an earlier year of the current postgraduate course; or

(ii) an application for support in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the current postgraduate course; and

(b) as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person granted leave under [F35 one of the Afghan Schemes] is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired [F36 and that person has not become a British or Irish citizen],

A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.]

[F37 (16D) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a person granted leave under one of the Ukraine Schemes [F38 or the spouse, civil partner, child or step-child of such a person], a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with—

(i) an application for support for an earlier year of the current postgraduate course; or

(ii) an application for support in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the current postgraduate course; and

(b) as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which the person granted leave under one of the Ukraine Schemes is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired and no further leave to enter or remain has been granted [F39 and that person has not become a British or Irish citizen],

A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.]

[F40 (16E) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a person satisfying the criteria in paragraph 13 of Schedule 1 (eligible students: long residence), a person (“A”) was an eligible postgraduate student in connection with—

(i) an application for support for an earlier year of the current postgraduate course; or

(ii) an application for support in connection with another designated postgraduate course from which A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student has been transferred to the current postgraduate course; and

(b) as at the day before the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support begins, the period for which A was granted leave to remain in the United Kingdom has expired and—

(i) no further leave to remain has been granted;

(ii) no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002); and

(iii) A has not become a British or Irish citizen,

A’s status as an eligible postgraduate student terminates immediately before the first day of the academic year in respect of which A is applying for support.]

(17) Paragraphs (15) and (16) do not apply where A began the course in connection with which the Secretary of State determined that A was an eligible postgraduate student before 1st September 2007.

(18) An eligible postgraduate student may not, at any one time, qualify for support for—

(a) more than one designated postgraduate course;

F41 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) a designated postgraduate course and a designated course;

(d) a designated postgraduate course and a designated part-time course.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 159(1) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4)(b)(5) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2765), regs. 1(4)(a), 19(a)

F2 Words in reg. 159(2) substituted (1.3.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/127), regs. 1(1), 22(a)

F3 Reg. 159(3)-(3B) substituted for reg. 159(3) (1.3.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/127), regs. 1(1), 22(b)

F4 Word in reg. 159(3)(a)(i) inserted (1.9.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/929), regs. 1(1), 8(7)(a)

F5 Words in reg. 159(3)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(c) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1348), regs. 1(1), 9(8)(a)

F6 Words in reg. 159(3)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(a) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/534), regs. 1(1), 3(3)

F7 Words in reg. 159(3B) substituted (1.9.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/929), regs. 1(1), 8(7)(b)

F8 Reg. 159(4)(a) substituted (13.2.2020) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/48), regs. 1(1), 13(1)

F9 Reg. 159(4)(aa) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/114), regs. 1(3), 23

F10 Reg. 159(4)(ab) inserted (23.12.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1348), regs. 1(1), 6(3)

F11 Words in reg. 159(8) substituted (1.3.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/127), regs. 1(1), 22(c)

F12 Words in reg. 159(8) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1348), regs. 1(1), 11(9)

F13 Words in reg. 159(9) inserted (1.8.2012) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1653), regs. 1(3), 34

F14 Reg. 159(12) omitted (23.12.2015) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1951), regs. 1(2), 54

F15 Reg. 159(13) omitted (23.12.2015) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1951), regs. 1(2), 54

F16 Reg. 159(14) omitted (23.12.2015) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1951), regs. 1(2), 54

F17 Words in reg. 159(15)(b) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(a)

F18 Reg. 159(15A) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/137), regs. 1(2), 7(7)

F19 Words in reg. 159(15A)(b) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(b)

F20 Reg. 159(15B) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(3)(5) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/142), regs. 1(1), 36(8)

F21 Words in reg. 159(15B)(b) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(b)

F22 Reg. 159(15C) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/48), regs. 1(1), 3(3)(h)

F23 Words in reg. 159(15C)(b) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(c)

F24 Words in reg. 159(16)(b) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(d)

F25 Reg. 159(16A)(16B) inserted (1.3.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/127), regs. 1(1), 22(d)

F26 Words in reg. 159(16A)(b) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(e)

F27 Words in reg. 159(16B)(a)(i) substituted (1.9.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/929), regs. 1(1), 6

F28 Word in reg. 159(16B)(a)(i) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(e) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1348), regs. 1(1), 12(2)(a)

F29 Words in reg. 159(16B)(a)(ii) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(e) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1348), regs. 1(1), 12(2)(b)

F30 Reg. 159(16B)(c) renumbered as reg. 159(16B)(b) (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(f)

F31 Words in reg. 159(16B)(b) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(g)

F32 Reg. 159(16C) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(c) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1348), regs. 1(1), 9(8)(b)

F33 Words in reg. 159(16C)(a) substituted (15.2.2022) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/57), regs. 1(1), 10 (with reg. 1(3))

F34 Words in reg. 159(16C)(a) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(6)(7)(9) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/74), regs. 1, 36(a) (with reg. 139(2)(3))

F35 Words in reg. 159(16C)(b) substituted (15.2.2022) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/57), regs. 1(1), 10 (with reg. 1(3))

F36 Words in reg. 159(16C)(b) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(h)

F37 Reg. 159(16D) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4)(a) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/534), regs. 1(1), 4(10)

F38 Words in reg. 159(16D)(a) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(5)(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/74), regs. 1, 36(b)

F39 Words in reg. 159(16D)(b) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(d) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(b)

F40 Reg. 159(16E) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(5)(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/85), regs. 1, 9(3)(i)

F41 Reg. 159(18)(b) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(5) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/137), regs. 1(2), 6(9)