Weekend Courses FAQs

Q: What has the Department for Education (DfE) said? 
A: On 23 March 2026, the DfE told the University that weekend-only courses do not count as “in attendance” for student finance. The DfE says “in attendance” means regular timetabled teaching on weekdays, at least once a week. 

Q: What is the issue, and who does it affect? 
A: If you study only at weekends, your Student Finance maintenance loan and any targeted grants may be paused or stopped. This applies to weekend-only students studying with our partner QAHE. 

Q: How widespread is this, and what happens to payments already made? 
A: Around 22,000 students across more than 20 providers have had maintenance loans and targeted grants blocked. The Student Loans Company (SLC) may ask for past payments to be repaid, and will agree a repayment plan with you based on what you can afford. 

Q: What does the Student Loans Company (SLC) control? 

A: Some decisions are made by the SLC and are outside the University’s control. For example: 

• The SLC decides whether you are eligible for funding and will agree any repayments with you based on affordability. 
• The SLC decides which academic years, if any, are treated as overpayments. 
• The SLC confirms whether your course delivery meets the 2011 student support regulations. 

Q: I also have a tuition fee loan. Is this affected? 

A: No. Tuition fee loans are not affected. 

Q: I receive a targeted grant (for example, the Childcare Grant). Is this affected? 

A: Yes. The SLC may treat these payments as an overpayment and will contact you to arrange repayment based on what you can afford. 

The University has been notified in writing by the Department for Education (DfE) that the government has changed its recent decision about how you will repay the maintenance loan payments you received.

Instead of requiring accelerated repayments over a short period, you will now repay through the standard Income Contingent Repayment system. This means you'll repay in the same way and on the same terms as you originally agreed when you took out the loan. Repayments will start in April after you finish your studies and will only be taken if you're earning above the repayment threshold.

For childcare grants and other targeted grants, recovery action is paused until at least September while the government reviews the options.

Q: I receive Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). Is this affected? 

A: No. DSA is available for both distance learning and in-attendance courses, so eligible students will continue to receive DSA. 

Q: Will I need to submit a new application to Student Finance England?
A: No, you will not need to submit a new application. The University will submit a Change of Circumstance notification to the SLC which will trigger a new entitlement letter for you from the SLC.

Q: Why and when are you submitting the Change of Circumstance notifications to the SLC?
A: As set out in the DfE letter from 26.03.26, we are required to submit a first Change of Circumstance (CoC) notification to the SLC w/c 13th April to transfer all impacted students from in-attendance to distance learning. This is an instruction by the DfE and relates to the classification of the course for funding purposes and does not therefore require your consent.

The University then needs to wait for the SLC to confirm that this change has been processed and that we can submit a second CoC for those students who have chosen to transfer to an in-attendance delivery mode with in-person weekday evening sessions. This CoC requires your consent which you have provided by completing the timetabling form.

This CoC will reflect the effective date on which you moved from a weekend‑only course to one that includes both weekend and in-person weekday attendance.

The SLC have advised that they are hoping to process the second CoC notifications w/c 20th April which would then trigger your new entitlement letter and confirm future payment dates.

However, the University notes that the SLC are currently already behind the original schedule set out by the DfE to process the first CoC, so these dates are subject to change. Again, this is a matter entirely within the control of the SLC, but we will continue to ask them to deal with it promptly to minimise the uncertainty for our students.

Students who do not choose to transfer to the in-attendance delivery mode will remain on the weekend-only course which will continue to be delivered as previously advertised.

Q: How will previously received maintenance payments affect future funding?
A: The SLC have advised that they will seek to recover all previous maintenance payments for the duration of your studies and will attempt to recover these overpayments from future payments. The exact payment plan will be sent to you by the SLC, and you have the option to go through their hardship assessment.

Any overpayment will be treated separately from the normal student loan repayment process. An overpayment of a loan or grant does not affect an individual’s credit score.

Q: I do not agree with my repayment plan. How can I raise this with the SLC?
A: You can submit your complaint via the SLC Complaints Procedure

You can apply for Financial Hardship Overpayment Deferral. Once you receive your entitlement letter you can complete the form above and upload it to your online account.

Q: Will I receive my 20th April payment?
A: The SLC have advised that they have blocked the next payment for impacted students. If you have chosen to transfer to a course that is classified as in-attendance, you will receive a new entitlement letter after the second Change of Circumstance from the SLC which will set out your next payment date.

Q: Can you publish the advice received from the SLC about what constitutes in-attendance and what doesn’t?
A: Below are the exact answers from the SLC on 10.04.26 (Our questions followed by SLC answers in bold):

Does regular (weekly), structured, mandatory online evening attendance on a weekday satisfies the requirement for the course to be classified as in-attendance?

No — this does not satisfy the “in‑attendance” requirement.

For the purposes of the Student Support Regulations, a course is considered in‑attendance only where students are required to attend regular, timetabled, in‑person sessions on weekdays. For clarity, the Department normally defines regular weekday attendance as at least one instance per week of required, scheduled, in‑person attendance for learning or professional practice, taking place Monday to Friday.

Is there a requirement for min. hours of face to face in person attendance on a weekday incl. evening to classify as “in-attendance”?

Currently, no — there is no explicit minimum requirement; however, there is an expectation that weekday attendance is regular.

Requirements to attend solely at weekends, during vacation periods, entirely online, or on an occasional basis (including once‑termly or fortnightly attendance) do not normally meet the regulatory threshold for in‑attendance study.

We typically consider a course to be full‑time where students are engaged in study on most days and for the majority of weeks in the academic year. This will normally involve at least 24 weeks of structured activity and an average workload of around 21 hours per week during term time, inclusive of taught sessions, independent study, and other learning activities.

Further to this, is there a min. % threshold of face to face in person attendance required for a course to be classified as in-person either on a weekly basis or across an academic year?

There is no defined minimum attendance expressed as a percentage for in‑attendance study. Instead, there is an expectation of regular weekday attendance.

Delivery models based on weekend‑only study, attendance during vacation periods, fully online provision, or intermittent attendance (for example, once‑termly or fortnightly) will not normally meet the in‑attendance threshold.

Q: How will attendance be monitored?
A: The standard QAHE attendance policy applies; there will be no flexible arrangements.

The SLC has advised that they will audit these attendance records in future, and therefore the University will be monitoring this carefully to evidence regular weekday in-person attendance. It is important therefore that student attendance is maintained in accordance with the QAHE attendance policy.

Q: How will group assessments be impacted by the timetable changes?
A: QAHE are working with academic colleagues to explore the best possible solutions. We will share more information when available.

Q: Who do I contact if I have a question about my new timetable or the timetable change?
A: Please direct any queries about timetables including requests for changes/alternatives to: fundingqueries@qahighereducation.com.

Q: What is the University doing to support students? 

A: The University does not agree with the DfE’s view that weekend in-person teaching cannot be classed as “in attendance”. Our priority is to reduce the impact on students and to help secure a fair and affordable outcome for everyone affected. We are: 

• Challenging the DfE/SLC position through legal action. 
• Engaging with the SLC at least weekly to seek clarity and a fair and reasonable process. 
• Working with QAHE and the Students’ Union to provide support and advice. 
• Offering a streamlined complaints process once you and the SLC have agreed your maintenance funding position and repayment arrangements. 

It’s important that you respond to the SLC and agree a repayment plan that is affordable for you. 

Read our public statement about our legal fight

Q: Why can’t you share more detail right now? 
A: Because there are ongoing legal and regulatory discussions, we are limited in what we can say publicly at the moment about liability or outcomes. This work is being led by the Vice-Chancellor and senior team, and we will share confirmed updates as soon as we can. 

Q: How can I take action? 
A: You can contact your Students’ Union for advice and support.

You can also get involved in the national campaign led by the National Union of Students (NUS). 

• Email sign-up: https://www.nus.org.uk/weekend-students-sign-up 
• Petition: https://www.nus.org.uk/dont-take-weekend-students-maintenance-loans 
• Template letter to MP: https://www.nus.org.uk/dont-freeze-our-futures-write-to-mp 

Q: What should I do next? 
A: The deadline to confirm your preferred option has now passed. If you’re still unsure what to do, please contact us so we can talk through your next steps. 

Q: What options were available to me? 
A: The options were: 

Q: How did I confirm my choice? 
A: Use the link in the email from the Student Advice and Support Centre Team (QAHE.SASC@updates.qahighereducation.com) with the subject line: Important: Draft Timetable Information & Study Options. 

• Option 1: Continue on your current weekend-only course. 
• Option 2: Move to a weekday study pattern. 
• Option 3: Suspend your studies. 
• Option 4: Withdraw from your studies. 

Q: What happens if you didn’t receive my response? 
A: If we did not hear from you, we assumed you were continuing on your current course (Option 1). You can still change your mind later. 

Q: Will weekend classes continue for the rest of the semester? 

A: Yes. Weekend-only classes are still running for students who choose to stay on this mode. However, the DfE has confirmed that weekend-only study is now classed as “distance learning”, so it is not eligible for a maintenance loan or related grants. 

Q: What is the new “Hybrid” timetable option? 

A: To help students stay eligible for maintenance loans, we have introduced a hybrid timetable that includes one weekday evening session (typically three hours). This allows the course to be treated as “in attendance”. 

Start dates: November intake: week starting 20 April 2026. April intake: week starting 27 April 2026. 

Q: I haven’t received my new timetable yet. What should I do? 

A: If you accepted the new timetable through the form sent on 3 April or 8 April, your record is being updated. QAHE will confirm preferences with each student and then create compliant timetables that include one weekday session. Your timetable should appear in the portal from 17 April 2026. 

Q: What if I cannot attend on weekdays due to work or childcare? 

A: We know the hybrid model will not work for everyone. If you asked for an alternative (for example, the “Friday on-campus” proposal), the QAHE team will contact you individually to discuss what might be possible. 

Q: Should I still attend classes? 

A: Yes. Please keep attending your current weekend timetable until you have been moved to a new group and you have received confirmation. 

Q: How will attendance be monitored? 
A: The standard QAHE attendance policy applies. 

The SLC has told us it may audit attendance records in future. For this reason, the University will monitor attendance closely to evidence regular weekday, in-person attendance. Please make sure you meet the QAHE attendance requirements. 

Q: Who do I contact if I have a question about my new timetable or the timetable change?
A: Please direct any queries about timetables including requests for changes/alternatives to: timetablequeries@qahighereducation.com

Q: Do I need to request mitigating circumstances for an extension to my assessment deadline? 

A: Yes. Please submit a mitigating circumstances request through the QAHE portal. QAHE will automatically approve requests related to this situation. 

Q: Will my degree classification and/or qualification be impacted? 

A: No. Your degree classification and award are not affected. 

Q: Would I be eligible for an exit award if I chose to withdraw? 

A: If you withdraw, we can provide transcripts showing the credit you have completed. Where appropriate, an exit award may be available in line with the Academic Regulations. 

Q: What if I cannot afford to repay? 

A: If you’re worried about repaying, contact QAHE Student Support or the QAHE Finance team as soon as possible. The DfE has said providers must support affected students, and financial hardship support may be available. 

Please refer to the latest update at the top of this section regarding the change in position.

Support may include: 

• Emergency financial help 
• Hardship grants (where eligible) 
• Help preparing for your SLC affordability assessment 
• Advice on managing your finances during this period 

Support is discretionary, but the DfE has said students should not be left without help. The sooner you get in touch, the sooner we can support you. 

Q: Could payments from previous academic years also be affected? 

A: A joint Department for Education (DfE) and Student Loans Company (SLC) review is looking at maintenance payments from previous academic years. Ministers will decide whether any recovery action is needed for those years. We will share further guidance when it becomes available. 

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

Q: Where can I get support? 

A: If you are affected by this issue or worried about your finances, please don’t wait—contact us as soon as possible. 

• On-campus drop-in sessions with the QAHE Student Finance team. 
• On-campus wellbeing support through the QAHE Student Welfare team. 
• Wellbeing support through the Student Assistance Programme. 
• We will share more details by email, so please check your inbox regularly. 

Contacts 

• QAHE Student Welfare team: QAHE.Welfare@qa.com  
• Financial Support: Emergency hardship fund: [Details coming shortly]  
• QAHE Student Finance team: Fundingqueries@qahighereducation.com 

External support 

• 24/7 Wellbeing Support: Samaritans: 116 123 (call or email jo@samaritans.org) 
• Crisis text line SHOUT: Text 85258 

Q: How do I make a complaint? 

A: We hope we can resolve your concern quickly. If you want to make a formal complaint, you can find the process on the QA Higher Education website under the Complaints Procedure. 

Q: What guidance is available from the Office for Students? 

A: The Office for Students has shared guidance on what affected students should expect from their institution. 

You can also contact the Student Loans Company (SLC). The SLC has hardship processes for students who need support and is working to process hardship applications as quickly as possible.