Fees for UK/EU students starting an equivalent or lower–level qualification (ELQ) in 2012/13

The Government does not provide funding or financial support for students who are studying a higher education qualification that is equivalent to, or at a lower level than one they had already achieved. This means that if you already have a higher education qualification such as a first degree (BA/BSc) or postgraduate qualification (PG Diploma, MA, MSc) and you apply for a course at an equal or lower level, the University will not receive any public funding for your place on this course. Students studying for an Equivalent or Lower-level Qualification are generally known as ‘ELQ students’.

The recent changes in Government funding and fees policy means that UK or EU ELQ students (full-time or part-time) starting undergraduate-level courses (BA, BSc, Foundation degree) at the University in the 2012/13 academic year will pay the same tuition fee rate as other UK/EU students. However students who have already undertaken an undergraduate-level course will not generally be entitled to take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of a second undergraduate-level course. Anyone considering this should consult the University’s Student Advisers, or take independent advice, to ensure that they are aware of the possible financial implications.

Where a student already holding a postgraduate-level qualification plans to start a taught postgraduate course (e.g. MA) then they should consult the admissions team for their UAL College (or if necessary the University’s central admissions department) to establish whether or not they should be treated as an ELQ student. This because the ELQ rules for postgraduate students are complicated. If it is confirmed that the ELQ fee should be charged you should be aware that the postgraduate ELQ fee for 2012 entry is generally higher than the standard UK/EU postgraduate student fee. The standard postgraduate ELQ fee rates for 2012/13 are shown below.

The Government has agreed to a number of exemptions to the ELQ policy, including students on Foundation Degrees and those in receipt of Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). ELQ students starting the MA Conservation course at Camberwell College of Arts in 2012/13 are also exempted from paying the higher ELQ rate of fee and pay at the standard UK/EU rate.

MA Standard ELQ Fee (where non-ELQ course fee is £7,500)
Full-time £9,000
Part-time - on application

MA Higher ELQ Fee (where non-ELQ course fee is £8,500)
Full-time £10,000
Part-time - on application

Postgraduate Diploma Standard ELQ Fee (where non-ELQ course fee is £5,000)
£6,000

Postgraduate Certificate Standard ELQ Fee (where non-ELQ course fee is £2,500)
£3,000

The rates quoted are the fees for the course. Where the course last for more than one year then the quoted fee will be apportioned over the two years (with the second year fee subject to inflationary adjustment)

Separate arrangements apply for students at CSM Drama Centre and on other courses where non-standard fees are charged. Please contact the College or School offering your course for guidance on the fee which will be charged.