University Level
All part-time and full-time students entering onto a Higher Education course with us may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees if they are enrolled on one of the following:
Foundation Degree
Higher National Certificate (HNC)
Higher National Diploma (HND)
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) is a major change to how higher-level education is funded in England. From January 2027, it will introduce a more flexible way to study, allowing you to access funding for both full courses and individual modules across your lifetime.Â
The LLE is a new student finance system that will replace the current higher education student finance and Advanced Learner Loans for many courses at Levels 4, 5 and 6.Â
It is designed to give you more flexibility over how and when you study, so you can gain new qualifications, retrain in a different career and build skills around work and life commitments.Â
From its introduction, the LLE will fund full courses such as degrees and Higher Technical Qualifications and individual modules that can build towards a full qualification over time. Â
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If your course starts before January 2027, you will still apply through the current student finance system.Â
The LLE is designed for learners aged 18 to 60 and is suitable for:Â
It offers a flexible approach to learning, allowing you to study at your own pace and at a time that suits you.Â
The key difference is flexibility. Under the current system, funding is usually used for a single qualification. Under the LLE, you will have a single funding entitlement that you can use across your life.Â
This means you can:Â
f you have previously received student finance, this may reduce the amount of funding you have available under the LLE.Â
However:Â
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The LLE gives eligible learners access to a tuition fee loan worth up to £39,160, equivalent to four years of post-18 education at current fee levels Â
This funding can be used flexibly across your lifetime, is measured in credits rather than academic years and allows you to study full qualifications or smaller units of learning.Â
You may also be able to apply for a maintenance loan to support living costs or additional support such as childcare or disability fundingÂ
From January 2027, LLE funding will cover:Â
Modules must typically be at least 30 credits and can be built up over time into a full qualification.Â
At Telford College, we will be developing and confirming which of our university-level courses and modules will be available through the LLE.Â
Yes. One of the main benefits of the LLE is flexibility.Â
Because funding is based on credits rather than years:Â
From September 2026, you will be able to apply for LLE funding through Student Finance England.Â
The process will involve:Â
Further guidance and step-by-step support will be provided on this page as the application process opens.Â
We are currently preparing for the introduction of the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.Â
Over the coming months, we will:Â
The LLE represents one of the biggest changes to post-18 education funding in England.Â
We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.Â
If you are considering university-level study at Telford College from 2027 onwards, we recommend visiting the government website here or contacting our team for advice via admissions@telfordcollege.ac.ukÂ
Additional LinksÂ
The Skills for Careers Website has now been updated with information relating to the LLE and how student finance will work.Â
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The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) | Skills for Careers page will give information on how LLE is changing student finance and modular study. Â
The quickest and easiest way to apply is online at www.gov.uk/studentfinance as soon as the application service opens.
You should apply as soon as possible so you can be fully assessed for financial support, as applications usually take between 4 and 6 weeks to process.
Before you start your application, make sure you have:
You will be sent a student finance entitlement letter which will set out exactly what support you can receive. You should sign and return the declaration form.
If you are studying full-time, you may also be able to apply for a maintenance loan to help with your living costs. This option will form part of the application process through Student Finance England.
Disability Students’ Allowance:
Students with a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty are eligible to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).
This is an award to help pay for extra costs you may have to pay as a direct result of your disability or specific learning difficulty. We would encourage you to submit your application for this as early possible as it can take some time for it to be processed.
Please refer to Student Finance England website for further information. www.gov.uk/student-finance
Parents’ Learning Allowance:
This helps with the extra cost of being a student parent, and does not have to be paid back. Please refer to Student Finance England website for further information. www.gov.uk/student-finance
If you pay for childcare during the academic year you may also be able to get a childcare grant. It can pay up to 85% of your childcare costs and does not need to be paid back.
If you are aged 19 or above and want to improve your career prospects, you can get a loan for some courses at levels 3-6 so you don’t have to pay fees up front (excluding HNC, HND and degree courses).
You don’t start to repay the loan until you have completed the course and are earning over £27,295 per year.
