IMPORTANT NOTICE: Skills Tests no longer required
There’s never been a better time to become a computing and IT teacher.
Our PGCE Secondary Education in Computer Science will teach you to engage young minds with the fundamentals of computing and IT, even learning brand new programming languages, so they can shine in creative industries.
We’ll support you in coupling your enthusiasm for computer science with learning about the National Curriculum framework, planning, resourcing and delivering lessons to pupils of all secondary ages and abilities.
The course has QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) built in and students will apply for a position as a secondary school teacher during the course of their studies and teaching practice.
Curious about Teaching and what happens in our course? Follow our Institute of Education on Social Media:
Partners & Memberships
Your Career with a PGCE Teaching Qualification
This course prepares you to become a specialist Secondary Computer Science and ICT teacher, trained to deliver the essential knowledge and skills that make computer science and ICT a wide-ranging, creative and exciting subject.
Why Choose University of Cumbria
You won’t be dropped in the deep end. You will start by working with individual groups of pupils in school and gradually build up to the teaching of whole classes to reach the required standard of professional practice.
- £1,000 cash payment and accommodation scholarship for UCLAN, Lancaster University, University of Salford and Queen Mary University of London graduates wanting to enrol on one of our campus-based teacher training programmes. More information here.
- Benefit from the Department for Education's subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.
- Our excellent partnerships with schools in and beyond Lancashire and Cumbria enhance your placement and job prospects
- A high number of our students get offered jobs from teaching placements
- Our PGCE Secondary Education in Computer Science is fully compliant with the Department for Education (DfE) requirements, so you can expect to do a minimum of 120 days in two contrasting schools where you can put the theory you learn in lectures and seminars into real-world practice, giving you the valuable work experience essential for future employment.
- Our academic tutors have worked as secondary teachers and within education and know what it is like to be a professional teacher, so their first-hand experience will support your learning
- Tutors are active researchers in education, so your learning will be up-to-date and fresh with the latest thinking, technologies and practices
- A personal tutor will support you throughout your studies and your subject mentor will support your professional development at your placement
- Easy access to our Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment providing easy online access to course material, as well as our library, well stocked with education books and journals you need for research
- Free use of classroom props and learning aids that you can use on placements to enhance your teaching
- Access to new and modern social and study spaces, technology and facilities on campus
Our Lancaster campus is also home to our The Learning, Education and Development (LED) research centre, where our tutors are involved in leading and publishing high-quality educational research to inform educational practice and policy.
During the past 100 years, with our founding institutions, St Martin’s College in Lancaster and Charlotte Mason College in Ambleside, we have gained a great track record for inspiring teachers and helping them step into employment.
So, if you enjoy working with computers and want to use your technical and programming knowledge to ignite the imagination of young people, our course is the stepping stone to see you succeed.
Course outline
Course summary
You will learn all the skills you need to teach computing effectively, from the basics of structuring and planning lessons through to developing personal skills and confidence. During school placements you will work with experienced teachers, including your mentor who will supervise you training, assessing your progress towards QTS. Most placements are in Cumbria or Lancashire, but some may be available in London, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Isle of Man.
Modules
Compulsory modules
- Investigating Teaching and Learning
- Investigating Teaching and Learning Across and Beyond the School Curriculum
- Developing professional skills, knowledge and practice
Programme Specification
Assessment, Feedback, and Teaching and Learning methods
Full details are available in the programme specification.
Timetables
The teaching timetable should be available from the end of August. Access to the timetable is through the Student Hub – you will be able to access the Student Hub after you have completed online registration. The teaching day is 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday; please keep your other commitments open until confirmation of your teaching timetable, and bear in mind that many courses will offer placements or fieldwork which sometimes extends into the evenings and weekends.
Entry requirements
Have a question about our entry requirements?
Entry Requirements
Please see the selection criteria section below.
Selection criteria
You are welcome to apply if you have an honours degree in any ICT or computing subject at 2:2 or above, for example, networking, games design, multimedia, business and ICT. Your degree must contain evidence of a substantial and appropriate level of subject knowledge.
If you don't have an undergraduate degree but do have a Masters or other higher qualification, your application will be considered by our academic tutors on a one-to-one basis.
GCSE grade C/4 or above in English language and mathematics or recognised equivalent qualifications.
A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check prior to starting the course.
Satisfactory Occupational Health medical check prior to starting the course
Evidence of a satisfactory level of literacy on the application form and a satisfactory personal statement.
Evidence of motivation and appropriate professional values. A strong personal statement conveying an enthusiasm for the subject, for working with young people and for teaching and learning.
A satisfactory academic (University) or a satisfactory professional reference if it is more than 5 years since academic work.
Evidence of the potential to work at Masters level.
At interview, all candidates undertake a range of tasks including a micro-teaching task; group discussions; individual interview; subject knowledge tests; and other written tasks as appropriate, including testing of literacy levels and the ability to think and write at Masters level.
There are currently no AP(E)L opportunities for entry to this programme.
Application information
Making your application
Unfortunately we cannot accept any more applications for a 2020 start as all our PGCE courses are full. However
applications will open for 2021 in early October. Please refer to the UCAS web-site for further details.
Their website www.ucas.com provides all the information you need about universities, courses, locations, entry requirements and financial support. You are allowed to select up to five course choices. You need to use the correct UCAS campus and course codes as not all courses are offered at every campus. You will be asked for the following information when you apply online:
Institution code name: UoC
Institution code: C99
Campus location:
- A Ambleside
- B Brampton Road, Carlisle
- E University of Cumbria at Energus, Workington
- F Fusehill Street, Carlisle
- L Lancaster
- T University of Cumbria in London
- Y University of Cumbria at Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness
What makes a good application?
We consider all aspects of your application, not simply your qualifications and grades. We look at your academic background and performance, relevant experience (particularly for professional courses where some voluntary or paid experience is required) and your reference. Above all, we look for motivation, commitment and potential-evidence that you can benefit from study at higher education level.
Make sure you include:
- Relevant qualifications/evidence of ability: check our website for the specific entry requirements required for each course. Tell us your previous academic results and your projected grades.
- A supportive reference, from an employer or your school or college.
- A good personal statement.
- Explain clearly what attracts you to the course and tell us about your wider interests and experience. If you are applying for a course that incorporates professional training and placements, you should include any relevant experience or visits you have made in the workplace. Highlight your individual strengths and qualities, personal skills, capacity for teamwork, contribution to the community and your enterprise, originality and determination. Select some activities which bring out these qualities.
What next?
When we receive your application, we will send you an acknowledgement and if you are successful at this stage you will get either an offer (with an invitation to visit the campus to which you have applied), or an invitation to interview on a particular date. If we are not able to offer you a place on your chosen course we will usually try to offer you a place on a similar course and will contact you to discuss this. Alternatively, if we think you are suitable, but cannot offer you a place on your preferred campus because of the level of competition, we will offer you a place at another campus if one is available.
And if I accept?
The admissions team will contact you and send further information from February onwards about accommodation, and from May/June onwards about preparing to join the university. If you have any other queries, please telephone the admissions offices for information and advice on 0845 6061144.
Deferred entry
We welcome applications for deferred entry on some courses. If you have specific plans during your year out, indicate these on your personal statement as they may be relevant to your course and could enhance your application.
International students
Applications for full-time undergraduate study are made through UCAS. Please see the international pages of our website for full details of our entry requirements (including English-language skills) as well as contacts for advice and support.
From 2009 the UK Border Agency introduced a Points-Based Immigration System (PBS) for students coming to the UK from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Students entering higher education will need to obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance (CAS) plus finance confirmation to obtain a Tier 4 student visa. UK education providers are licensed by the UK Border Agency. When students apply for their visa (or entry clearance) they will need a valid Certificate of Acceptance of Studies from the university. Please note that a CAS is not a guarantee that a visa will be issued.
See the following websites for further details: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk
Tuition fees for UK students
The following tuition fees are for PGCE students studying in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years (between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2021).
University-based
The tuition fee for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years is £9,250 for UK students.
Paying your fees
Most students choose to take a student loan. If you are taking a student loan, you won't have to do a thing - the Student Loan Company will pay your fees directly to the university. For more information, please see the Student Loans section.
If you decide not to take a student loan, you can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.
Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students’ university and personal email accounts.
Make a payment - without an invoice
Make a payment - with an invoice
School Direct (non-salaried)
The tuition fee for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years is £9,250 for UK students.
Paying your fees
Most students choose to take a student loan. If you are taking a student loan, you won't have to do a thing - the Student Loan Company will pay your fees directly to the university. For more information, please see the Student Loans section.
If you decide not to take a student loan, you can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.
Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students university and personal email accounts.
Make a payment - without an invoice
Make a payment - with an invoice
School Direct (salaried)
If you have secured a salaried place on the school direct programme, you won't have to pay any tuition fees. Your host school will pay your fees in full and you will earn a salary in line with the unqualified teacher pay scale.
Unfortunately, salaried school direct students are not eligible for bursaries or any other student funding.
PGCE (non-QTS)
The tuition fee is £1,650 for the 2019/20 academic year and £1,675 for the 2020/21 academic year for UK students.
Paying your fees
You can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.
Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students' university and personal email accounts.
Teacher Training Bursaries
Generous, tax-free training bursaries are available for PGCE students in a range of subjects. This is in addition to the tuition fee and maintenance loans.
Secondary chemistry, languages, maths or physics
PGCE Secondary chemistry, languages, maths or physics
NB. These bursaries are confirmed for the 2020/21 academic year only.
| Chemistry, languages, maths or physics | £26,000 bursary | £6,000 | £32,000 | ||
| £28,000 scholarship 3 | £34,000 | ||||
| Eligibility 2020/2021 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, PhD or Master's | Early-career payments 2 | Total 2 | |||
Other subjects
NB. These bursaries are confirmed for the 2020/21 academic year only.
| Eligibility 2020/2021 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scholarships 3 | Bursaries | ||||
| Trainee with 1st, 2:1, 2:2, PhD or Master's | |||||
| Computing | £28,000 | £26,000 | |||
| Biology | - | £26,000 | |||
| Classics 4 | - | £26,000 | |||
| Geography | £17,000 | £15,000 | |||
| D&T | - | £15,000 | |||
| English | - | £12,000 | |||
| History, RE, business studies | - | £9,000 | |||
| Art and design, music | - | £9,000 | |||
| Primary with maths 5 | - | £6,000 | |||
- Bursaries and scholarships are available to trainees on a fee-based teacher training course in England that leads to the award of qualified teacher status. Availability is dependent on your highest relevant academic award and the subject in which you are training to teach. To receive a bursary or scholarship you must be entitled to support under the Student Finance England criteria. Residents of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will need to be entitled for support as set out by your country’s student finance body (Student Finance Wales, Student Awards Agency Scotland or Student Finance NI). Both elements will be assessed by your teacher training provider. Candidates with overseas degrees, may be asked to formally recognise any overseas qualifications through UK NARIC. We can help you with this. Contact us on 0800 389 2500 and we can provide you with guidance on your equivalent qualifications and a free UK NARIC statement of comparability (this usually costs £49.50 plus VAT) once you’ve submitted your application to teacher training, if required by your training provider.
- You could receive £32k or £34k in total - £26k as a tax-free bursary or £28k scholarship with additional payments of £6k after tax once in teaching. You'll need to have completed a non-salaried teacher training course and received a bursary or scholarship in the academic year 2020/21, You’ll receive three additional early-career payments of £2k each in your second, third and fourth year of teaching - enhancements to these payments are available if you teach in specified areas in England. You must have taught in a state-funded school in England since completing your teacher training course. View the full terms and conditions.
- Trainees in physics, maths, languages, chemistry, geography and computing with a 2:1 or above are able to apply for a teacher training scholarship with the appropriate professional body. You can still apply if you have a 2:2, but you’ll need to provide evidence of significant relevant experience. Scholarships are awarded in place of a bursary. Languages scholarships are only available if you train to teach French, German or Spanish.
- Bursaries are available to trainees on a classics course where the course is in an ancient language (Latin or Ancient Greek).
- Bursaries are available to trainees on primary with maths courses with at least grade B maths A level or equivalent.
PGCE Scholarship
Alumni Students and other eligible students enrolling on University based PGCE programmes* may receive up to £2,000 discount with our PGCE Scholarship. Click the relevant link for your academic year below to read more information, including the PGCE Scholarship full terms and conditions.
* This does not apply to University-based PE, School Direct, SCITT or PGCE with Non-QTS.
Terms and conditions (2019/20)
£1,000 cash payment and £1,000 off accommodation fees for University residences to students enrolling on University based PGCE programmes* in Lancaster or Carlisle in 2019/20 who are alumni of the University of Cumbria, University of Central Lancashire, University of Lancaster or Salford University.
£1,000 cash payment and £200 travel contribution in the form of a pre-paid Oyster Card to students enrolling on University based PGCE programmes* in London in 2019/2020 who are alumni of University of Cumbria or Queen Mary’s University.
* This does not apply to University based PE, School Direct, SCITT or PGCE with Non-QTS.
Terms and conditions:
- Students do not need to apply to receive the scholarship. Eligibility will be checked against the criteria in these terms and conditions by the University and students will be notified of their eligibility.
- In order to be eligible, a student must be fully enrolled on a University based PGCE programme* as a full-time student on 15 October 2019 to qualify for the scholarship.
- In order to be eligible, a student must be a graduate with a BSc, BA or LLB issued on or after 1 September 2013 from either the University of Cumbria, University of Central Lancashire, University of Lancaster or Salford University (if studying at the Lancaster or Carlisle campuses) or the University of Cumbria or Queen Mary’s University (if studying at the London campus). Eligibility will be checked through a review of the records of past study held by the University.
- The £1,000 cash payments will be made to eligible students on or before 1 Novermber 2019 via a BACS transfer. Students must have a UK bank account and provide, where not already held by the University, details of this bank account in order to receive payment. Payments can only be made into the bank accounts of eligible students.
- If a student receives a £1,000 cash payment and withdraws before 6 January 2020 the University will invoice the student for the full amount.
- The £1,000 off accommodation fees will be applied as a credit, in equal parts, to the second and third terms’ invoices issued to eligible students.
- The £200 travel contribution will be provided in the form of a pre-paid Oyster Card. These will be issued to eligible students after 15 October 2019.
- This offer does not apply to University based PE, School Direct, SCITT or PGCE with Non-QTS.
Terms and Conditions (2020/21)
£1,000 cash payment and up to £1,000 off accommodation fees for University residences to students enrolling on University based PGCE programmes* in Lancaster or Carlisle in September 2020 or January 2021 who are alumni of the University of Cumbria, University of Central Lancashire, University of Lancaster or Salford University.
£1,000 cash payment and £200 cash travel contribution to students enrolling on University based PGCE programmes* in London in 2020/2021 who are alumni of University of Cumbria or Queen Mary’s University.
* This does not apply to University based PE, School Direct, SCITT or PGCE with Non-QTS.
Terms and conditions:
- Students do not need to apply to receive the scholarship. Eligibility will be checked against the criteria in these terms and conditions by the University and students will be notified of their eligibility.
- In order to be eligible, a student must be fully enrolled on a University based PGCE programme* as a full-time student on 15 October 2020, if enrolling in September 2020, or 29 January 2021, if enrolling in January 2021, to qualify for the scholarship.
- In order to be eligible, a student must be a graduate with a BSc, BA or LLB issued on or after 1 September 2015 from either the University of Cumbria, University of Central Lancashire, University of Lancaster or Salford University (if studying at the Lancaster or Carlisle campuses) or the University of Cumbria or Queen Mary’s University (if studying at the London campus). Eligibility will be checked through a review of the records of past study held by the University.
- The £1,000 cash payments will be made to eligible students on or before 1 November 2020, if enrolling in September 2020, or 14 February 2021 if enrolling in January 2021, via a BACS transfer. Students must have a UK bank account and provide, where not already held by the University, details of this bank account in order to receive payment. Payments can only be made into the bank accounts of eligible students.
- If a student receives a £1,000 cash payment and withdraws before 6 January 2021, if enrolling in September 2020, or 1 May 2021 if enrolling in January 2021, the University will invoice the student for the full amount.
- The £1,000 off accommodation fees will be applied as a credit, in equal parts, to the second and third terms’ invoices issued to eligible students who remain within student accommodation for the full year. Where students enter into a short-term accommodation contract, the pro rata equivalent discount will be applied.
- The £200 travel contribution will be provided alongside the main £1,000 payment.
- This offer does not apply to University based PE, School Direct, SCITT or PGCE with Non-QTS.
Student Loans
If you are from the UK, you can apply for a loan to help with the cost of university fees and living costs. There are two types of loans you may be able to apply for: tuition fee and maintenance loans.
Read more
Tuition Fee Loans
Full-time students from the UK can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £9,250 for 2019/20 and 2020/21. This is paid directly to the university each year, and is not dependent on your household income.
When applying for your student loan, you will need to contact the relevant student funding authority for the area in which you live. Your loan application is likely to take around 2 months to finalise so it is important to complete your application as soon as possible. We recommend completing your application by the end of May (new students) or June (continuing students) to avoid any delays in receiving your funding.
Maintenance Loans
You can apply for a maintenance loan to assist with meeting living costs such as food, accommodation and travel expenses. These are paid in three instalments throughout the university year directly to your bank account.
Depending on household income, students may be able to apply for the following amounts:
| 2019/20 | 2020/21 | |
|---|---|---|
| Living at home | Up to £7,529 | Up to £7,747 |
| Living away from home (outside of London) | Up to £8,944 | Up to £9,203 |
| Living away from home (in London) | Up to £11,672 | Up to £12,010 |
| Studying abroad (for 1 year) | Up to £10,242 | Up to £10,539 |
You can work out how much of a loan you are entitled to apply for using the Student Finance Calculator.
Repaying Your Loan
Graduates with a home address in England, who have a student loan, only start repaying their loan the April after graduation and once they earn over the threshold which is £26,575 per year.
You'll pay 9% of anything you earn above that amount. If you don't earn more than the threshold, you won't pay anything.
Here's what your monthly repayments could look like:
| Annual income before tax | Monthly salary | Monthly repayment |
|---|---|---|
| £26,575 | £2,214 | £0 |
| £29,500 | £2,458 | £22 |
| £31,000 | £2,583 | £33 |
| £33,000 | £2,750 | £48 |
If your income changes, the amount you repay will change too, this happens automatically.
If you stop working or start to earn below the repayment threshold, your repayments will stop until you earn over the threshold.
You’ll make a repayment if you go over the weekly or monthly threshold at any point during the year, for example, if you get a bonus or work overtime. You can request a refund at the end of the tax year if your total income was below the annual repayment threshold. After 30 years, any outstanding loan is written off.
If your home address is in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, visit Gov.uk for more information.
These loans attract interest, which is charged at different rates depending on your earnings. For more details on interest rates, please visit the Gov.uk website
Financial support
In addition to your training bursary, there is a range of additional funding available to support you in getting your degree.
Additional grants
If you have special circumstances, you may be able to get additional funding to help support you during your course.
For students with children
- Parents’ Learning Allowance - means-tested on household income. Maximum available £1,766
- Childcare Grant - means-tested on household income. A maximum of 85% of your weekly childcare costs may be paid on your behalf, up to £174.22 per week for one child and £298.69 per week for two or more children. For example, if childcare for one child is £150, you may receive a £127.50 grant (85% of £150).
For students with adult dependants
- Adult Dependants’ Grant - means-tested on household income. Maximum available £3,094.
For students with a disability or specific learning difficulty
- Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)— students with a disability or specific learning difficulty may be eligible to receive help towards enabling costs; eg non-medical helper, specialist equipment etc.
Armed Forces
- If you currently serve (or have recently served) within the Armed Forces and wish to enhance your education, then you can receive help covering your funding through the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme. Find out more.
Support funds
Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to qualify for extra funding. There are a number of different Awards and Funds that might be helpful should you require financial aid.
Visit our support funds page for more details.
Accommodation
From only £10 per night, we provide the lowest cost student accommodation in the North West. PGCE students are also able to sign up for termly contracts which allows them to go on placement closer to home, for example in Northern Ireland, without paying cancellation fees or being tied to a lenghty rental agreement. So you will only ever need to pay for accommodation when you need it.
Our PGCE students are also all allocated to a specific area of our halls, alongside other postgraduate or returning groups of students, so that they are part of a community of like-minded people in a similar stage of life, benefiting from a maturer setting and a quieter environment closer to having neighbours than hall or flat mates.
Check out our accommodation page for a full price list and more details about our residences.
Read more
Heating, lighting, water and internet costs are included in your rent and full-time students don't pay council tax.
Paying your accommodation fees
At the beginning of term, you will receive an email confirming your accommodation, your accommodation fees and a quick payment link. Please ensure that you have your student ID available prior to entering the online payments site.
Tuition fees for EU students
The following tuition fees are for PGCE students studying in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years (between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2021).
University-based
The tuition fee for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years is £9,250 for EU students.
Paying your fees
Most students choose to take a student loan. If you are taking a student loan, you won't have to do a thing - the Student Loan Company will pay your fees directly to the university. For more information, please see the Student Loans section.
If you decide not to take a student loan, you can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.
Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students’ university and personal email accounts.
Make a payment - without an invoice
Make a payment - with an invoice
School Direct (non-salaried)
The tuition fee for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 academic years is £9,250 for EU students.
Paying your fees
Most students choose to take a student loan. If you are taking a student loan, you won't have to do a thing - the Student Loan Company will pay your fees directly to the university. For more information, please see the Student Loans section.
If you decide not to take a student loan, you can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.
Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students university and personal email accounts.
Make a payment - without an invoice
Make a payment - with an invoice
School Direct (salaried)
If you have secured a salaried place on the school direct programme, you won't have to pay any tuition fees. Your host school will pay your fees in full and you will earn a salary in line with the unqualified teacher pay scale.
Unfortunately, salaried school direct students are not eligible for bursaries or any other student funding.
PGCE (non-QTS)
The tuition fee is £1,650 for the 2019/20 academic year and £1,675 for the 2020/21 academic year for UK students.
Paying your fees
You can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.
Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students' university and personal email accounts.
Teacher training bursaries
Generous, tax-free training bursaries are available for PGCE students in a range of subjects. This is in addition to the tuition fee and maintenance loans. More information can be found here
Student loans
If you are from the EU, you can apply for a loan to help with the cost of university fees. This is paid directly to the University of Cumbria in February and May, so you can focus on your studies without worrying about payment.
Read more
You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £9,250 for 2019/20. This is paid directly to the University each year, and is not dependent on your household income. Click here to apply directly online.
If you decide to take the loan, you do not need to pay anything at registration. Just bring along your letter from the Student Loans Company to show that you have applied. It’s as easy as that. Please note that this loan will only cover your tuition, however you may be eligible for a grant to cover the living costs of studying in England from the Education Department of your own government. We recommend contacting them to find out more about how to apply-you don’t want to miss out.
Once you’ve finished your time at university, you will start repaying your loan from the April after you graduate, provided that you are earning above £25,000 a year (or the equivalent in your home country). The Student Loans Company will contact you about your employment after graduation. There will be a small amount of interest on the loan-more information about this can be found on the Student Loans Company website.
How to apply
You can apply for your Tuition Fee Loan through the European Union Team of the Student Loans Company. To get started, visit the Direct Gov website and scroll down to ‘New EU Students’. There you will find the forms you need to apply. If you get stuck, get in touch with us to help you out.
Once you’ve started university, should you have any trouble with your funding, our advisers can provide all the support and advice you need. To book an appointment please use our online referral form, or if your enquiry can be answered via email, please contact us on moneyadvice@cumbria.ac.uk.
Repaying your loan
Graduates with a home address in England, who have a student loan, only start repaying their loan the April after graduation and once they earn over £26,575 per year, and then only on the amount above £26,575.
You'll pay 9% of anything you earn above that amount. If you don't earn more than the threshold, you won't pay anything.
Here's what your monthly repayments could look like:
| Annual income before tax | Monthly salary | Monthly repayment |
|---|---|---|
| £26,575 | £2,214 | £0 |
| £29,500 | £2,458 | £22 |
| £31,000 | £2,583 | £33 |
| £33,000 | £2,750 | £48 |
After 30 years, any outstanding loan is written off.
If your home, address is in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, visit Gov.uk for more information.
These loans attract interest, which is charged at different rates depending on your earnings. For more details on interest rates, please visit the Student Loans Company website. Please note that the Government, rather than the university, set the terms of student loans.
Financial support
In addition to your training bursary, there is a range of additional funding available to support you in getting your degree.
Support funds
Depending on your circumstances, you might be able to qualify for extra funding. There are a number of different Awards and Funds that might be helpful should you require financial aid.
Visit our support funds page for more details.
Accommodation
From only £10 per night, we provide the lowest cost student accommodation in the North West. Check out our accommodation page for a full price list and more details about the residences.
Read more
Heating, lighting, water and internet costs are included in your rent and full-time students don't pay council tax.
Paying your accommodation fees
At the beginning of term, you will receive an email confirming your accommodation, your accommodation fees and a quick payment link. Please ensure that you have your student ID available prior to entering the online payments site.
EU Referendum
EU nationals who wish to enter the UK to study a course in England which starts in either the 2019/20 or the 2020/21 Academic Years, are still eligible for student support and home fee status for the duration of their studies.
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Our University has a proud and strong history of educating students from Europe and we look forward to welcoming you and other European students over the coming months and years. We are delighted that the Government has given reassurance about financial support for current students and those starting in 2019/20 or 2020/21. Please read the full Governmental statement for more details.
Whilst there is no confirmation of financial support for new entrants for 2021/22 and thereafter, the University of Cumbria will continue its ambitions to be a destination of choice for our European students and we encourage potential applicants to continue to check the University website for the latest information so we can share the most up to date position with you.
Student Loans Company statement
Students beginning study in the 2017/18 or 2018/19 Academic Years
EU Nationals and Student Finance in England (1) - Student Loans Company
The eligibility rules regarding student support and home fee status applying to EU nationals, or their family members, who wish to enter the UK to study a course in England which starts in either the 2017/18 or the 2018/19 Academic Year and which attracts student support, are also unchanged.
SFE will assess these applications against existing eligibility criteria, and will provide loans and/or grants in the normal way. EU nationals, or their family members, who are assessed as eligible to receive grants and/or loans by SFE will then be eligible for this support and for home fee status for the duration of their course. These eligibility criteria set out that for students beginning study any time after August 2016, EU nationals must have been resident in the UK for at least five years or be EEA migrant workers in order to apply for a maintenance loan.
The migration status of EU nationals in the UK is being discussed as part of wider discussions with the EU. The Prime Minister was clear in her letter to the President of the European Council that that we should seek an early agreement on the rights of UK nationals in the EU and EU nationals in the UK, on a reciprocal basis.
Students should consult their institution’s student finance office, or the GOV.UK website, for information on what support they may be able to receive.
Statement from the Student Loans Company website.
Tuition fees for international students
The following tuition fees are for PGCE students studying in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years (between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2021).
University-based
The tuition fee for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years is £10,500 for international students.
Fee Deposit Policy
Before you can get started with your course, you will be required to pay a deposit of up to £5,000 (the exact amount will be listed in your offer letter). Until we receive this deposit, you will not be issued a 'Confirmation of Acceptance'. Your offer letter will provide more information on how to pay your deposit, but we recommend paying online. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable unless your visa is refused due to exceptional circumstances.
Alternatively you can provide a letter of sponsorship/financial guarantee. This must be on letter-headed paper and include the following information:
- name of the programme and academic year for which the sponsorship applies
- amount of sponsorship (for example, full fees or specified amount in pounds sterling)
- your full name (as stated on your passport)
- your student identification number
- address and named contact to which the University of Cumbria should send the invoice
- full name and address of the sponsoring institution
Pre-sessional courses
Those required to attend a pre-sessional course will need to pay the full fee, in addition to the deposit, which is part payment of the substantive programme fee. The university will not issue the unconditional offer or CAS until both the deposit and full pre-sessional fees are paid.
If a student on the 11-week pre-sessional fails to progress on academic grounds, the full deposit for the substantive programme will be repaid. If a student on either the 6-week or 11-week pre-sessional fails to progress as a result of non-attendance, poor attendance or lack of effort, the deposit for the substantive programme will not be repaid.
Deposit refunds
A refund of the deposits will only be considered where a student has been refused a visa for non-fraudulent reasons. Students may apply for a refund by sending copies of the official visa refusal notification from the Home Office (UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)), together with passport details. The university reserves the right to verify details with UKVI.
Where the university decides to make a refund of the deposit, this will be refunded in pounds sterling to the person who originally made the payment. The university will transfer the deposit in the most cost-effective way but will not be liable for any bank charges involved in the money transfer. Refunds will not be made if the visa application is refused, or a CAS is withdrawn, on the grounds of fraudulent activity by the student, or due to failure to disclose full details in the application.
Refunds will not be made if the student fails to attend at the start of the programme or withdraws after the start of the programme.
Paying your tuition fees
After you have paid your deposit or provided your sponsorship letter, you can decide to pay the fee balance in full, or you can follow our instalment plan.
An early payment discount is available if you choose to pay your full annual tuition fee by registration and not in instalments. The early payment discount is only available to self-funded students in their first year, and excludes pre-sessional courses, partnerships and students receiving other benefits such as scholarships.
If you choose to pay in instalments you will be required to pay 75% of your total tuition fees prior to registration. The deposit you have already paid will be included. For example: If your tuition fees are £10,000, and you’ve paid a deposit of £5000, you’ll need to pay £2,500 prior to registration to complete the 75% requirement. The remaining 25% must be paid three weeks before the end of your first term.
If you are enrolling onto a one semester programme or short course, the tuition fee must be paid in full prior to the start of the programme or course. If your tuition is being sponsored, then you will not be able to pay with an instalment plan.
School Direct
The tuition fee for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years is £10,500 for international students.
Fee Deposit Policy
Before you can get started with your course, you will be required to pay a deposit of up to £5,000 (the exact amount will be listed in your offer letter). Until we receive this deposit, you will not be issued a 'Confirmation of Acceptance'. Your offer letter will provide more information on how to pay your deposit, but we recommend paying online. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable unless your visa is refused due to exceptional circumstances.
Alternatively you can provide a letter of sponsorship/financial guarantee. This must be on letter-headed paper and include the following information:
- name of the programme and academic year for which the sponsorship applies
- amount of sponsorship (for example, full fees or specified amount in pounds sterling)
- your full name (as stated on your passport)
- your student identification number
- address and named contact to which the University of Cumbria should send the invoice
- full name and address of the sponsoring institution
Pre-sessional courses
Those required to attend a pre-sessional course will need to pay the full fee, in addition to the deposit, which is part payment of the substantive programme fee. The university will not issue the unconditional offer or CAS until both the deposit and full pre-sessional fees are paid.
If a student on the 11-week pre-sessional fails to progress on academic grounds, the full deposit for the substantive programme will be repaid. If a student on either the 6-week or 11-week pre-sessional fails to progress as a result of non-attendance, poor attendance or lack of effort, the deposit for the substantive programme will not be repaid.
Deposit refunds
A refund of the deposits will only be considered where a student has been refused a visa for other than fraudulent reasons. Students may apply for a refund by sending copies of the official visa refusal notification from the British Embassy or High Commission, together with passport details. The university reserves the right to verify details with the embassy or High Commission.
Where the university decides to make a refund of the deposit, this will be refunded in pounds sterling to the person who originally made the payment. The university will transfer the deposit in the most cost-effective way but will not be liable for any bank charges involved in the money transfer. Refunds will not be made if the refusal, or a CAS withdrawal, is on the grounds of fraudulent activity by the student, or due to failure to disclose full details in the application.
Refunds will not be made if the student fails to attend at the start of the programme or withdraws after the start of the programme.
Paying your tuition fees
After you have paid your deposit or provided your sponsorship letter, you can decide to pay the fee balance in full, or you can follow our instalment plan.
An early payment discount is available if you choose to pay your full annual tuition fee by registration and not in instalments. The early payment discount is only available to self-funded students in their first year, and excludes pre-sessional courses, partnerships and students receiving other benefits such as scholarships.
If you choose to pay in instalments you will be required to pay 75% of your total tuition fees prior to registration. The deposit you have already paid will be included. For example: If your tuition fees are £10,000, and you’ve paid a deposit of £5000, you’ll need to pay £2,500 prior to registration to complete the 75% requirement. The remaining 25% must be paid three weeks before the end of your first term.
If you are enrolling onto a one semester programme or short course, the tuition fee must be paid in full prior to the start of the programme or course. If your tuition is being sponsored, then you will not be able to pay with an instalment plan.
PGCE (non-QTS)
The tuition fee for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years is £3,500 for international students.
Paying your fees
You can pay your tuition fees online, directly to the university. You can pay in full or spread out the cost through a maximum of three instalments. To discuss instalments, email us at accountsreceivableteam@cumbria.ac.uk.
Tuition fee invoices are sent electronically to students' university and personal email accounts.
Accommodation
From only £10 per night, we provide the lowest cost student accommodation in the North West. Check out our accommodation pages for a full price list and more details about the residences.
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Paying for your accommodation
If you choose to stay in univerisity accommodation you will be required to make a pre-payment of £250, and a pre-payment of £100 towards catering packages.
After you have made the pre-payment(s), and the contract has been returned, the balance of your contract will be due. Payment must be made by registration. Instalments are not available.
Please note that you do have the option to pay for the accommodation and catering in full with the contract.
Payment must be made in pounds sterling. You will be given the option online to convert your currency when making a payment.
If you’re having trouble paying online or have any questions, please contact your admissions officer who can give you advice about paying by bank transfer.
Planning your finances
Studying in a different country is a big financial investment, so you need to ensure you have everything planned when it comes to spending your money.
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There are many points to consider before submitting your application, such as food, accommodation and other day-to-day expenses.
We recommend that you budget at least £5,500 for an academic year in the UK. This will include your accommodation and living expenses. To help you plan effectively, we suggest using the online International Student Calculator to set a proper budget for your academic life.
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study with the University you need to provide evidence of minimum funds that will be available to you. Please see UKVI requirements on their website in the “Tier 4 of the points based system: policy guidance” booklet. You will also find details of UKVI’s current requirements for the evidence you will need to provide during your application.
Additional costs
All students will need to purchase stationery, course books and personal equipment. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc.
Resources and facilities
Our Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment provides easy online access to course information and materials, relevant web links and an online discussion board. We have a well stocked library and Learning Gateway offering flexible study spaces, and you can also take advantage of the Library and Student Services (LiSS), which provides learning resources, equipment, student advice, skills training and study space.
