The Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011

PART 12 E+W SUPPORT FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Interpretation E+W

158.—(1) In this Part, —

(a) “period ordinarily required to complete the full-time equivalent” means the period that a standard full-time student would require to complete the full-time equivalent;

(b) “standard full-time student” means a student who is to be taken—

(i) to have begun the full-time equivalent on the same date as the eligible postgraduate student began the part-time postgraduate course in question;

(ii) not to have been excused any part of the full-time equivalent;

(iii) not to have repeated any part of the full-time equivalent; and

(iv) not to be absent from the full-time equivalent other than during vacations.

(2) In this Part, the intensity of study is calculated as follows and expressed as a percentage—

where

PT is the number of modules, credits, credit points, points or other unit to be awarded to the eligible part-time student by the academic authority if the student successfully completes the academic year in connection with which that student is applying for support;FT is the number of modules, credits, credit points, points or other unit that a standard full-time student would be required to obtain in each academic year in order to complete the full-time equivalent within the period ordinarily required to complete that course.

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 has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002),

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.

[F17 (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,

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 (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,

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.]

[F19 (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,

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 has expired and no further leave to remain has been granted and no appeal is pending (within the meaning of section 104 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002),

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 (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,

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 [F21 paragraph (1)(a) F22 ... (iv) or (v)] of the definition of “person with protected rights”; or

(ii) meeting the conditions in paragraph 3(1)(a) F23 ... (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

(c) as at the day before the academic year begins A is not a person with protected rights,

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.]

[F24 (16C) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a person granted leave under [F25 one of the Afghan Schemes] [F26 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 [F27 one of the Afghan Schemes] is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom has expired,

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.]

[F28 (16D) Where—

(a) the Secretary of State determined that, by virtue of being a person granted leave under one of the Ukraine Schemes [F29 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,

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;

F30 (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 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)

F18 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)

F19 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)

F20 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)

F21 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

F22 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)

F23 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)

F24 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)

F25 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))

F26 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))

F27 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))

F28 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)

F29 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)

F30 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)

Students becoming eligible in the course of an academic year E+W

[F31 160.— (1) Where—

(a) a postgraduate course designation event which results in a student’s course becoming a designated postgraduate course occurs in the course of an academic year;

(b) a protected category event which results in a student becoming an eligible postgraduate student occurs—

(i) in the course of the first academic year of a course; and

(ii) on or before the course start date; or

(c) an in-year qualifying event (other than a settled status event) which results in a student becoming an eligible postgraduate student occurs in the course of an academic year,

the student may qualify for the grant under this Part in respect of that academic year in accordance with this Part.

(1B) But a grant of a kind available under this Part is not available in respect of any academic year beginning before the academic year in which the event in question occurs.]

Textual Amendments

F31 Reg. 160 substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(5)(a) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/74), regs. 1, 30

Designated postgraduate courses E+W

161.—(1) A postgraduate course is designated for the purposes of section 22(1) of the 1998 Act and regulation 159 if—

(a) it is a course for entry to which a first degree (or equivalent qualification) or higher is normally required;

(b) it is a course—

(i) of at least one academic year's duration; and

(ii) in the case of a part-time course, it is ordinarily possible to complete the course in not more than—

(aa) twice the period ordinarily required to complete the full-time equivalent where the course begins before 1st September 2012 or the student transfers to the current course pursuant to regulation 163 from a course beginning before 1st September 2012; or

(bb) four times the period ordinarily required to complete the full-time equivalent where the course begins on or after 1st September 2012;

[F32 (c) it is either—

(i) wholly provided by a registered provider, or provided by a registered or an unregistered provider on behalf of a registered provider in England;

(ii) wholly provided by an authority-funded institution in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales;

(iii) provided by a registered provider on behalf of an authority-funded institution in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales;

(iv) provided by an institution situated in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales on behalf of a registered provider in England, or by a publicly funded institution situated in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales on behalf of an authority-funded institution in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales;

(v) provided by a registered provider in England in conjunction with an institution which is situated outside the United Kingdom; or

(vi) provided by an authority-funded institution in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales in conjunction with an institution which is situated outside the United Kingdom;]

(ca) it is substantially provided in the United Kingdom; and

(d) it is not a course for the initial training of teachers or a course taken as part of an employment-based teacher training scheme.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)—

(a) a course is provided by an institution if it provides the teaching and supervision which comprise the course, whether or not it has entered an agreement with the student to provide the course;

[F33 (aa) a course is substantially provided in the United Kingdom where at least half of the teaching and supervision which comprise the course is provided in the United Kingdom;]

(b) a university and any constituent college or institution in the nature of a college of a university is to be regarded as [F34 authority-funded] if either the university or the constituent college or institution is [F34 authority-funded]; F35 ...

(c) an institution is not to be regarded as publicly funded [F36 or authority-funded] by reason only that it receives public funds from the governing body of a higher education institution in accordance with section 65(3A)of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 M1 [F37 ; and]

[F38 (d) a course is not to be regarded as provided on behalf of an authority-funded educational institution where a part of the course is provided by a private institution [F39 in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales, or by a private institution which is an unregistered provider in England].]

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(b)(ii)—

(a) “full-time equivalent” means a full-time postgraduate course leading to the same qualification as the part-time postgraduate course in question;

(b) “period ordinarily required to complete the full-time equivalent” means the period that a standard full-time student would require to complete the full-time equivalent;

(c) “standard full-time student” means a student who is to be taken—

(i) to have begun the full-time equivalent on the same date as the eligible postgraduate student began the part-time postgraduate course in question;

(ii) not to have been excused any part of the full-time equivalent;

(iii) not to have repeated any part of the full-time equivalent; and

(iv) not to be absent from the full-time equivalent other than during vacations.

[F40 (3ZAA) A postgraduate course is designated for the purposes of section 22 of the 1998 Act and regulation 159 if it is a Northern Irish designated postgraduate course, a Scottish designated postgraduate course or a Welsh designated postgraduate course.]

[F41 (3AA) A course is not a designated postgraduate course if its designation has been revoked or is suspended under paragraph (5).]

(3A) [F42 A postgraduate pre-registration course is not a designated postgraduate course.]

(4) For the purposes of section 22 of the 1998 Act and regulation 159, the Secretary of State may designate courses of higher education which are not designated under paragraph (1) [F43 or (3ZAA)].

[F44 (5) The Secretary of State may revoke or suspend the designation of a course which is designated under [F45 this regulation].]

Textual Amendments

F32 Reg. 161(1)(c) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(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), 31(2)

F33 Reg. 161(2)(aa) inserted (7.11.2014) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2765), regs. 1(2), 20(b)

F34 Words in reg. 161(2)(b) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Support and European University Institute) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1728), regs. 1(2)(a), 20(b)(i)

F35 Word in reg. 161(2)(b) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(b) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Education (Student Support and European University Institute) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1728), regs. 1(2)(a), 20(b)(ii)

F36 Words in reg. 161(2)(c) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Support and European University Institute) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1728), regs. 1(2)(a), 20(b)(iii)

F37 Word in reg. 161(2)(c) substituted for full stop (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Support and European University Institute) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1728), regs. 1(2)(a), 20(b)(iv)

F38 Reg. 161(2)(d) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Support and European University Institute) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1728), regs. 1(2)(a), 20(b)(v)

F39 Words in reg. 161(2)(d) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(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), 31(3)

F40 Reg. 161(3ZAA) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(a) 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), 4(1)(i)(i)

F41 Reg. 161(3AA) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(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), 31(4)

F42 Reg. 161(3A) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(b)(3) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/443), regs. 1(2)(a), 13

F43 Words in reg. 161(4) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(a) 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), 4(1)(i)(ii)

F44 Reg. 161(5) inserted (15.1.2014) by The Education (Fees and Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3106), regs. 1(2), 9

F45 Words in reg. 161(5) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(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), 31(5)

Marginal Citations

M1 1992 c.13; section 65(3A) was inserted by the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 (c.30), section 27.

Period of eligibility E+W

162.—(1) A student‘s status as an eligible postgraduate student is retained in connection with a designated postgraduate course until the status is terminated in accordance with this regulation and regulation 159.

(2) The period for which an eligible postgraduate student retains the status is the “period of eligibility”.

(3) Subject to the following paragraphs and regulation 159, the period of eligibility terminates at the end of the period ordinarily required for the completion of the designated postgraduate course.

(4) The period of eligibility terminates when the eligible postgraduate student—

(a) withdraws from the designated postgraduate course in circumstances where the Secretary of State has not transferred or will not transfer the student's status as an eligible postgraduate student to another course under regulation 163; or

(b) abandons or is expelled from the designated postgraduate course.

(5) Where the eligible postgraduate student is undertaking a designated postgraduate course that is a part-time course, the period of eligibility terminates at the end of the relevant academic year where the student cannot complete the course within the period specified in regulation 161(1)(b)(ii).

(6) For the purposes of paragraph (5), “relevant academic year” means the academic year during or at the end of which it becomes impossible for the student to complete the course within the period specified in regulation 161(1)(b)(ii).

(7) The Secretary of State may terminate the period of eligibility where the eligible postgraduate student (“A”) has shown by A's conduct that A is unfitted to receive support.

(8) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that an eligible postgraduate student has failed to comply with any requirement to provide information under this Part or has provided information which is inaccurate in a material particular, the Secretary of State may take such of the following actions as the Secretary of State considers appropriate in the circumstances—

(a) terminate the period of eligibility;

(b) determine that the student no longer qualifies for a grant or any particular amount of grant;

(c) treat any support paid to the student as an overpayment which may be recovered under regulation 168.

(9) Where the period of eligibility terminates—

(a) before the end of the academic year in which the eligible postgraduate student completes the designated postgraduate course; and

(b) otherwise than under paragraph (5),

the Secretary of State may, at any time, renew or extend the period of eligibility for such period as the Secretary of State determines.

Transfer of status E+W

163.—(1) Where an eligible postgraduate student transfers to another postgraduate course, the Secretary of State must transfer the student's status as an eligible postgraduate student to that course where—

(a) the Secretary of State receives a request from the eligible postgraduate student to do so;

(b) the Secretary of State is satisfied that one or more of the grounds for transfer in paragraph (2) applies; and

(c) the period of eligibility has not terminated.

[F46 (1A) Paragraph (1) applies to a person who is an eligible postgraduate student by virtue of regulation 159(3)(a)(ii) only where that person’s status as an eligible postgraduate student has not been transferred on or after 1st August 2021 from the designated postgraduate course referred to in regulation 159(3A)(a) to another designated postgraduate course.]

(2) The grounds for transfer are—

(a) on the recommendation of the academic authority the eligible postgraduate student starts to undertake another designated postgraduate course at the institution; or

(b) the eligible postgraduate student starts to undertake a designated postgraduate course at another institution.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), an eligible postgraduate student who transfers under paragraph (1) is entitled to receive in connection with the academic year of the course to which the student transfers the remainder of the support for which the Secretary of State has determined the student qualifies in respect of the academic year of the course from which the student transfers.

(4) The Secretary of State may re-assess the amount of support payable after the transfer.

(5) An eligible student who transfers under paragraph (1) after the Secretary of State has determined the student's support in connection with the academic year of the course from which the student is transferring but before the student completes that year may not apply for another grant under this Part in connection with the academic year of the course to which the student transfers.

Textual Amendments

F46 Reg. 163(1A) inserted (1.3.2021) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/127), regs. 1(1), 24

Applications for support E+W

164.—(1) A person (the “applicant”) must apply for a grant under this Part in connection with each academic year of a designated postgraduate course by completing and submitting to the Secretary of State an application in such form and accompanied by such documentation as the Secretary of State may require.

(2) The application must reach the Secretary of State as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(3) The Secretary of State may take such steps and make such inquiries as the Secretary of State considers necessary to determine whether the applicant is an eligible postgraduate student, whether the applicant qualifies for a grant and the amount of grant payable, if any.

(4) The Secretary of State must notify the applicant—

(a) whether the applicant qualifies for a grant;

(b) if the applicant does qualify, the amount payable in respect of the academic year, if any; and

(c) how that amount is allocated between the types of eligible expenditure.

Information E+W

165.  Schedule 3 deals with the provision of information.

[F47 Authority to pay grant E+W

165A.— [F48 (1)]  The Secretary of State is authorised to pay a grant to an eligible postgraduate student (“A”) for the purpose of assisting with the additional expenditure which A is obliged to incur in connection with A’s attendance on or undertaking of a designated postgraduate course by reason of A’s disability.

[F49 (2) The expenditure for which the grant may be paid includes, in particular—

(a) expenditure on a non-medical personal helper;

(b) expenditure on major items of specialist equipment;

(c) travel expenditure.]]

Textual Amendments

F47 Reg. 165A inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4)(b)(5) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2765), regs. 1(4)(a), 21

F48 Reg. 165A renumbered as reg. 165A(1) (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(b)(5) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1203), regs. 1(2), 25(6)(a)

F49 Reg. 165A(2) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(b)(5) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1203), regs. 1(2), 25(6)(b)

Amount of grant E+W

166.— [F50 (1) Subject to paragraph (2), the grant under this Part is the amount that the Secretary of State considers appropriate in accordance with the student’s circumstances.]

[F51 (1A) Subject to paragraph (2), the amount of the grant under this Part for additional expenditure on a computer is an amount equal to the expenditure the student is obliged to incur less £200.]

[F52 (2) The amount of the grant in respect of an academic year—

(a) for expenditure other than travel expenditure, must not exceed [F53 £26,291];

(b) for travel expenditure, must not exceed an amount equal to that expenditure.]

F54 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F55 (4) Subject to paragraph (5), the grant under this Part is payable in respect of the four quarters of the academic year F56 ...

(5) Where [F57 an event falling within regulation 160(1)(a) or (c)] occurs in the course of an academic year, a student may qualify for a grant under this Part [F58 in respect of—

(a) the quarter in which the relevant event occurs, and

(b) if relevant, such quarters as begin after the relevant event occurs.]]

[F59 (6) Where an event falling within regulation 160(1)(b) occurs, a student may qualify for a grant under this Part in respect of the four quarters of the first academic year.]

Textual Amendments

F50 Reg. 166(1) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(b)(5) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1203), regs. 1(2), 25(7)(a)

F51 Reg. 166(1A) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(4)(b)(5) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/2765), regs. 1(4)(a), 22

F52 Reg. 166(2) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(b)(5) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1203), regs. 1(2), 25(7)(b)

F53 Sum in reg. 166(2)(a) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(5)(c) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/74), reg. 1, Sch.

F54 Reg. 166(3) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(b)(5) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1203), regs. 1(2), 25(7)(c)

F55 Reg. 166(4)(5) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(2)(b) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1653), regs. 1(2)(a), 35

F56 Words in reg. 166(4) omitted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(b)(5) of the amending S.I.) by virtue of The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1203), regs. 1(2), 25(7)(d)

F57 Words in reg. 166(5) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(5)(a) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/74), regs. 1, 31(2)

F58 Words in reg. 166(5) substituted (with application in accordance with reg. 1(3)(b)(5) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1203), regs. 1(2), 25(7)(e)

F59 Reg. 166(6) inserted (with application in accordance with reg. 2(4)(5)(a) of the amending S.I.) by The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/74), regs. 1, 31(3)

Payment of grant E+W

167.—(1) The Secretary of State may pay a grant for which a student qualifies under this Part in such instalments (if any) and at such times as the Secretary of State considers appropriate and in the exercise of the Secretary of State's functions under this Part the Secretary of State may make provisional payments pending the final calculation of the amount of grant for which the student qualifies.

(2) Payments are made in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate and the Secretary of State may make it a condition of entitlement to payment that the eligible postgraduate student must provide the Secretary of State with particulars of a bank or building society account in the United Kingdom into which payments may be made by electronic transfer.

Overpayments E+W

168.—(1)  [F60 A] postgraduate student must, if so required by the Secretary of State, repay any amount paid to the student under this Part which for whatever reason exceeds the amount of grant to which the student is entitled under this Part.

(2) The Secretary of State must recover an overpayment of grant under this Part unless the Secretary of State considers it is not appropriate to do so.

(3) The methods of recovery are—

(a) subtracting the overpayment from any kind of grant [F61 or loan] payable to the student from time to time pursuant to regulations made by the Secretary of State under section 22 of the 1998 Act;

(b) taking such other action for the recovery of an overpayment as is available to the Secretary of State.

(4) A payment of grant under this Part made before the relevant date is an overpayment if the student withdraws from the course before the relevant date unless the Secretary of State decides otherwise.

(5) In this regulation, the “relevant date” is the date on which the first term of the academic year in question actually begins.

(6) In the circumstances in paragraphs (7) and (8), there is an overpayment of grant under this Part unless the Secretary of State decides otherwise.

(7) The circumstances are—

(a) the Secretary of State applies all or part of the grant under this Part to the purchase of specialist equipment on behalf of the F62 ... postgraduate student;

(b) the student's period of eligibility terminates after the relevant date; and

(c) the equipment has not been delivered to the student before the period of eligibility terminated.

(8) The circumstances are—

(a) the F63 ... postgraduate student's period of eligibility terminates; and

(b) a payment of grant under this Part in respect of specialist equipment is made to the student after the period of eligibility terminated.

(9) Where there is an overpayment of the grant under this Part, the Secretary of State may accept the return of specialist equipment purchased with the grant by way of recovery of all or part of the overpayment if the Secretary of State considers it is appropriate to do so.

Textual Amendments

F60 Word in reg. 168(1) substituted (23.12.2015) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1951), regs. 1(2), 55(a)

F61 Words in reg. 168(3)(a) inserted (23.12.2015) by The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1951), regs. 1(2), 55(b)

F62 Word in reg. 168(7)(a) omitted (23.12.2015) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1951), regs. 1(2), 55(c)

F63 Word in reg. 168(8)(a) omitted (23.12.2015) by virtue of The Education (Student Support) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1951), regs. 1(2), 55(c)