The Education (Student Fees, Awards and Support etc.) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020

Amendments relating to funding for postgraduate top-up courses

12.—(1) In the Education (Postgraduate Master’s Degree Loans) Regulations 2016—

(a)in regulation 3 (eligible students)—

(i)in paragraph (3), before sub-paragraph (a), insert—

“(za)A is excused from undertaking any part of the course due to—

(i)A’s previous experience;

(ii)A having taken a module or other unit of work of another course; or

(iii)A having been awarded a credit, credit point or equivalent measurement of study in respect of any part of another course;”;

(ii)after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A) Paragraph (3)(za) does not apply where—

(a)A was so excused as a result of transferring to the course from a designated course; and

(b)the Secretary of State considers A being so excused to be reasonable in the circumstances.”;

(b)in regulation 4 (designated courses)—

(i)in paragraph (1)(a), after “a” insert “full”;

(ii)after paragraph (4) insert—

“(4ZA) In paragraphs (1)(a) and (1A)(1), “full postgraduate master’s degree course” means a course which, independent of a student’s previous experience or any module or other unit of work, credit, credit point or equivalent measurement of study taken or awarded in respect of another course, leads to a master’s degree.”.

(2) In the Education (Postgraduate Doctoral Degree Loans and the Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) (Amendment) (No. 2) etc.) Regulations 2018—

(a)in regulation 3 (eligible students)—

(i)in paragraph (3), before sub-paragraph (a), insert—

“(za)A is excused from undertaking any part of the course due to—

(i)A’s previous experience;

(ii)A having taken a module or other unit of work of another course; or

(iii)A having been awarded a credit, credit point or equivalent measurement of study in respect of any part of another course;”;

(ii)after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A) Paragraph (3)(za) does not apply where—

(a)A was so excused as a result of transferring to the course from a designated course; and

(b)the Secretary of State considers A being so excused to be reasonable in the circumstances.”;

(b)in regulation 4 (designated courses)—

(i)in paragraph (1)(a), after “a” insert “full”;

(ii)after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3ZA) In paragraphs (1)(a) and (2A)(2), “full postgraduate doctoral degree course” means a course which, independent of a student’s previous experience or any module or other unit of work, credit, credit point or equivalent measurement of study taken or awarded in respect of another course, leads to a doctoral degree.”.