Student finance for weekend studies 2026/27 – can you get a maintenance loan?

What changed on 10 August 2026?

Weekend-only courses do not qualify for the maintenance loan because they count as distance learning.

The maintenance loan helps with living costs while you study. Under the student-support regulations, weekend-only courses are treated as distance learning. These courses can receive a tuition fee loan, but not a maintenance loan.

For years, many weekend-only courses were treated as qualifying courses. Students on them received maintenance loans. In spring 2026, the Department for Education and the Student Loans Company reclassified them as distance learning. They stopped further maintenance payments for weekend-only study.

A group of universities challenged that decision in court. On 10 August 2026, the High Court refused their challenge. The court confirmed that a course with required attendance only at weekends is distance learning.

How can weekend-linked studies qualify for full student finance, including maintenance loan?

A course can currently qualify if half or more of weekly study hours take place during the week, in person, on campus.

A timetable with one weekend day and one weekday can meet that. Our partner school now runs weekend-linked groups built around this rule.

Can Friday and Saturday or Sunday and Monday classes get the maintenance loan?

Yes. Both patterns include a weekday, so they can currently qualify.

For example:

• Friday and Saturday: daytime classes from 9:45 to 14:15.
• Sunday and Monday: Sunday from 9:45 to 15:15, then Monday from 16:00 to 21:00.

These examples come from the September 2026 group grid and can change until enrolment week. For an October 2026 or February 2027 start, choose your intake in the form and we will check the current groups. Locations include London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

Which courses have weekend-linked groups?

The September 2026 intake includes weekend-linked options in business, IT, psychology, health and construction.

• Business
  • BSc (Hons) Business and Tourism Management
  • BA (Hons) Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year
  • BA (Hons) Global Business (Business Management), Level 4 direct entry
  • BA (Hons) Global Business and Entrepreneurship with Foundation Year
• IT
  • BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year
• Psychology
  • BSc (Hons) Psychology with Counselling with Integrated Foundation Year
• Health and Social Care
  • BSc (Hons) Health, Wellbeing and Social Care with Foundation Year
• Construction
  • BSc (Hons) Construction Management with Foundation Year

See all courses available for weekend and evening studies.

Your timetable is only one part. Your course, where you live, your status and any previous study also matter. We check the full picture before you apply.

Availability differs by city. The school publishes fixed groups with fixed days and times. After you pass the assessment, you choose from the groups that still have places, and popular patterns can fill. Groups can change until enrolment week. Check your course, city and current group availability — the form takes about two minutes.

What funding do weekend-linked studies get?

Weekend-linked studies that qualify get the standard student finance: the tuition fee loan and the maintenance loan.

For 2026/27, the tuition fee loan is up to £9,790 a year. It covers university fees and is paid directly to the university.

The maintenance loan helps with living costs. If you live away from your family home, the maximum is £10,830 a year outside London or £14,135 a year in London. If you live with family, it is up to £9,118 a year.

The amount is means-tested, so it depends on household income. To see your own estimate, use our student finance calculator.

The maintenance loan is paid to you in three instalments during the academic year.

You can work while studying. Your wages do not reduce your maintenance loan.

Repayment works the same as for any other student loan (Plan 5). You start repaying only once you earn more than £25,000 a year, and then you pay 9% of what you earn above that, not 9% of your whole income. Interest follows inflation (RPI), and anything still owed after 40 years is written off.

The maintenance loan counts as income for Universal Credit. It can reduce your Universal Credit by roughly £1 for every £1 of loan. The first £110 in each monthly assessment is ignored. The tuition fee loan is ignored.

Common questions

Can you get student finance if you already have a degree?

Usually not for a second undergraduate degree, but some exceptions apply.

You may qualify when topping up an HNC, HND or foundation degree to a full honours degree. Some part-time courses and certain healthcare courses can also qualify. Your previous study and completed qualifications will decide this.

Are there extra grants if you have children?

Full-time students with children may qualify for extra means-tested grants in 2026/27.

The Childcare Grant covers up to 85% of registered costs. It pays up to £199.62 a week for one child or £342.24 for two or more. The Parents' Learning Allowance is up to £2,024. An Adult Dependants' Grant may also be available, depending on your circumstances. All these grants are means-tested. We can check what applies to you.

Rules can still change — sign up for the Funding Watch Newsletter and we'll tell you if they do.