I got a £10,000 loan for my nursing degree. Now they say it’s an error and I have to pay it back
I got a £10,000 loan for my nursing degree. Now they say it’s an error and I have to pay it back
David Robinson, a nurse, was recently informed by his university that the £10,538 maintenance loan he received for his one-year postgraduate diploma in adult nursing must be repaid at an accelerated pace. The news came after he had completed his degree in summer 2025 at Edge Hill University, using an NHS bursary, personal savings, and a tuition fee loan to fund his studies. Despite his efforts, the university claimed the course was ineligible for financial support, leaving him financially unsettled.
This development follows BBC News reporting that 22,000 students enrolled in weekend courses had been notified by the Student Loans Company (SLC) or their institutions that their qualifications were not eligible for loans or grants. While Robinson’s program was full-time, including clinical placements, it still fell under the new criteria. The SLC stated that some universities had misclassified distance learning courses, leading to this confusion.
“I was concerned, I can only repay what I can afford,” Robinson said. “It just doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever, and it may not instil any confidence in people wanting to undertake the course that I have done, and be a nurse.”
Edge Hill University assured students that their qualifications remain valid, adding that they would continue to advocate for the SLC’s decision. A spokesperson noted that support is being provided to current students facing financial strain. Meanwhile, the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, called the situation “not students’ fault,” blaming institutions for either incompetence or system abuse.
Other affected students, like Lou Osborne, also faced sudden reversals. Osborne retaken her GCSE exams to qualify for an education degree at the University of Sunderland. She described the accelerated two-year course, with Saturday lectures and written assessments, as “amazing.” However, she now must repay her £3,500 maintenance loan immediately, including interest, after receiving a similar email to Robinson.
“We all went into a bit of a panic,” Osborne said. “We’re all working full-time and can’t afford not to work full-time. We’re paying into the economy by working and are now told, ‘You don’t deserve help because you’re part-time.’”
Universities involved in the issue expressed “extreme concern” and are considering legal action. They emphasized that supporting impacted students is their priority while reviewing the policy. For Robinson, the abrupt change has forced him to return to his NHS role, questioning whether the financial burden will deter others from pursuing similar paths.
