Weekend Courses FAQs

We are taking legal advice and challenging the Department for Education's interpretation of the Student Support Regulations alongside other affected institutions. Our immediate priority is supporting affected students with comprehensive guidance, hardship support, and course options. Details of our legal action will be updated as they develop. 

We are investigating the position as a matter of urgency. 

Yes. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has been instructed by the DfE to recover maintenance loan and targeted grant payments made to students on weekend-only courses that were incorrectly classified. This applies even though you received the money in good faith.

The SLC has confirmed that repayments will be arranged individually and will involve an affordability assessment of your personal circumstances. Repayment will not be an automatic deduction - you will be contacted directly by the SLC to agree a plan. 

Important: Do not attempt to repay anything until you receive official written instructions from the SLC. Do not make any payments based on this document alone.

Yes, for students who remain on a weekend-only course. The SLC has been instructed to block further maintenance loan and targeted grant payments for courses that were incorrectly classified as in-attendance. 

If your course moves to a weekday delivery pattern (Option 2), you may become eligible for future maintenance support. However, past overpayments would still need to be repaid and the SLC has indicated that past amounts may be deducted from future payments. You will be able to agree a plan with them once they have conducted the affordability assessment. 

Universities are required by the DfE to submit the Change of Circumstances notification to the SLC between 6 and 17 April to move you from your current in-attendance mode to distance learning. 

Should you choose to progress with Option 2 (course transfer), we want to ensure that we can submit the second Change of Circumstances notification to transfer you to an in-attendance course to the SLC before the cut-off date on 20th April so you become eligible for maintenance loan payments again. You will not need to submit a new application to SFE. 

We also recognise that teaching commences again on 20th April and we want to ensure that you have the correct timetable before starting. 

You have four options: 

• Option 1: Continue on your current weekend-only course. You will not receive further maintenance loan or targeted grant payments. The SLC will contact you about repaying amounts already received. 
• Option 2: Move to a weekday study pattern. This may restore your eligibility for future maintenance support. However, past overpayments will still need to be repaid. Your provider will confirm whether this option is available for your course. 
• Option 3: Suspend your studies. You can take a break from your studies and return later. Depending on circumstances when you wish to return, you could rejoin your current course (Option 1) or transfer to another course (Option 2). Past overpayments will still need to be repaid. 
• Option 4: Withdraw from your studies. You have decided not to continue with your studies and wish to withdraw from your current course and not transfer to another course. You will still be required to repay past overpayments. 

To submit your choice, please click on the link provided in the email sent by  

• Sender: Student Advice and Support Centre Team <QAHE.SASC@updates.qahighereducation.com> 
• Subject: Important: Draft Timetable Information & Study Options 

Select your updated choice and click submit.  

*IMPORTANT: If you started your course in November, please read the section below in relation to your fees and a 20 April deadline.

Universities are required to update course classification records between 6 and 17 April 2026. Once this is complete, the SLC will begin contacting affected students directly with repayment information. 

You should expect to hear from the SLC during or shortly after this period. Your provider may contact you separately before then to confirm your course status or discuss course delivery changes. 

The DfE has been clear that providers must support affected students. Financial hardship support is available, and you should contact our QAHE Student Support or Finance team as soon as possible if you are worried. 

Support that may be available includes: 

• Emergency financial assistance  
• Hardship grants  
• Help preparing for your SLC affordability assessment  
• Advice on managing your finances during this period 

Support is discretionary, but the DfE has stated that students should not be left without help. The earlier you make contact, the sooner we can assist you. 

No. Both distance learning and in-attendance courses attract Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA). Therefore, eligible students on distance learning courses will continue to receive DSA.

Yes. The SLC considers these to be an overpayment too and will seek to recover these through a repayment plan.

A joint Department of Education (DfE) and Student Loans Company (SLC) review is currently examining maintenance payments made in previous academic years. Ministers will decide what recovery action, if any, is appropriate for those years. Further guidance will be issued when available. 

We will update this page as soon as we have more information. 

 The SLC confirmed on Wednesday 8 April in a meeting with providers that they must process the first Change of Circumstances (transferring to distance learning modes) before the University may submit the second Change of Circumstances (to transfer students to an ‘in attendance’ mode of study). We therefore have to wait until instructed by the SLC to process the second Change of Circumstances before records can be updated and payments may be released. 

Yes. Please continue attending your classes as normal for now. You should only change your attendance once you have confirmed a switch to a different study pattern and received your new timetable.

We hope we can resolve your concern for you quickly and smoothly. However, if you would like to make a formal complaint, details of how to make a formal complaint can be found on our website QA Higher Education Complaints Procedure. 

We are taking legal advice and working collectively with other affected institutions to challenge the Department for Education's interpretation of the regulations. Our priority is supporting affected students while we pursue this challenge. 

Your tuition fees and the 20 April date  
If you started in November, the start of the 3rd term (20 April 2026) is the final date for your tuition fee funding. This is a normal part of the university calendar. 

What staying on your course means  
When you continue your studies past 20 April, your tuition fee for the term is confirmed. The Student Loans Company pays this to the University for you. Like any student loan, you only pay this back after you finish your course and are earning over the set amount. 

Why this only applies to November starters  
If you started in April or August, you have already passed your final funding dates. This means you are already responsible for 100% of your tuition fees for this year. 

We are here to help  
We want you to stay with us and finish your degree. We know the recent changes to your timetable might be difficult. If you are worried about money or attending classes in person, please talk to your student support team before 20 April. They can help you with hardship funds and other practical support to keep you on track. 

The Office for Students has provided guidance on what affected students should expect from their institutions. 

Students can also contact the Student Loans CompanyExternal link (Opens in a new tab or window) (SLC) which has hardship protocols in place for students who may need support and is taking steps to ensure it can process hardship applications in a timely manner.