Fees, funding and Student Support

Sources of funding for your studies

• Where can I get details of scholarships?
• Can I get a student loan?
• I have an EU national grandparent. The DIUS does not accept I am a direct descendant and entitled to tuition fee support
• Can I claim welfare benefits?

Where can I get details of scholarships?

You should contact your local British Council office about scholarships and other sources of funding for students from your country who want to study in the UK.

British Council offices in the UK do not have information or scholarship application forms. Please note also that the scholarships administered by The British Council are allocated more than one academic year in advance of the start of the course, so you should start finding out about them at least 18 months in advance.

Please note that UKCISA does not sponsor students or give any type of scholarship or funding.

Can I get a student loan?

The education departments of the UK Government, the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly decide which categories of student are eligible for loans and grants. There are many different categories of eligible students, and the regulations can be quite complicated. We have produced a summary of these regulations for you.

Student Support

I have an EU national grandparent. The DIUS does not accept I am a direct descendant and entitled to tuition fee support

The Student Support regulations define the eligible family members of EU nationals. They include 'direct descendants' who are aged under 21 or dependent on the EU national or dependent on the EU national's spouse or civil partner. The provisions in the regulations for EEA and Swiss migrant workers define family members as including 'children' (with no age limit or requirement of dependency). If you are relying on your eligibility as the grandchild of an EU national, remember that your EU national grandparent must be in the UK as either a student or self-sufficient person. If your grandparent is a UK national, this does not apply. In either case you must also meet the residence requirements.

If you meet all the requirements but you are having problems persuading the relevant Goverment department that you are eligible for Student Support on this basis, you should refer the caseworker to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal judgment in the case of PG and VG (EEA; "direct descendants" includes grandchildren) Portugal. This case confirms that the term 'direct descendant' must not be interpreted as meaning only 'children'. Please let us know, in writing or by calling our advice line, if you have difficulties with this, or seek advice from the welfare adviser at your college or university.

Can I claim welfare benefits?

If you enter the UK as a student, immigration conditions mean that you cannot normally claim welfare benefits or tax credits.

Welfare benefits

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