Equivalent and Lower Qualifications (ELQ) Policy

In 2008 the government withdrew university funding for ELQ students. ELQ students are those students who are studying for a qualification that is at an equivalent level to, or a lower level than, a qualification that they have already been awarded. This government decision is intended to prioritise funding to universities for students who are either entering higher education for the first time, or progressing to higher qualifications.

All UK students applying to any programme which is not exempt (see below) and who intends to study for a qualification that is at an equivalent level to, or a lower level than, a qualification that they have already been awarded will be considered for ELQ status and may be liable to pay a higher rate of tuition fee. For 2009 and 2010 entry the University decided not to charge ELQ students a higher rate of fee but may choose to do so in the future. To find out more about how much your tuition fees will be contact: tuition-fees@ncl.ac.uk

Exemptions from the ELQ fee supplement

The ELQ policy only affects HEFCE funded students. Those students who are funded by the NHS or the TDA will be unaffected by the ELQ policy. The following students will not be affected by the ELQ policy, so even if they already have an honours degree and go on to study one of the following courses, they will be treated the same as other undergraduate students:

  • new entrants who want to study for a second qualification but at a higher level eg) someone who already has a foundation degree and wants to study to get an honours degree, or someone who has an undergraduate degree and wants to get a postgraduate degree.
  • undergraduate medical students
  • undergraduate dentistry students
  • students undertaking Initial Teacher training (PGCE)
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Architecture
  • Students in receipt of DSA

For further information about the ELQ policy see:

Student Funding

Students who have already hold an honours degree are not usually eligible to receive statutory funding if they decide to undertake a second undergraduate degree.

The exceptions to this rule are students who undertake a second degree which leads to a professional qualification as a:

  • social worker
  • medical doctor
  • dentist
  • veterinary doctor
  • architect

Students undertaking these courses will still be entitled to apply for a maintenance loan for living expenses and other supplementary grants such as the Parents' Learning Allowance, Childcare Grant (for registered childcare), Disabled Students' Allowance and Adult Dependants' Grant. However, they will not be entitled to apply for the Tuition Fee Loan nor the Maintenance Grant or Special Support Grant.