An Irish citizen based in the UK or Ireland will be covered by the Common Travel Area agreement. Your eligibility for student finance depends on whether you are resident in the UK or Ireland and the course you will be studying, such as an undergraduate degree, PGCE or other postgraduate course.
Undergraduate students
Tuition fees
If you’re an Irish citizen, who’s been resident in Ireland, the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man (or a combination of these locations) for three years before the start of your course, you’ll be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate. To apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your course fees you’ll also need to meet the same eligibility criteria as UK students. Check your eligibility with Student Finance England.
Living costs support
There are two ways you may be able to receive funding to help with your living costs.
- If you’re an Irish national who’s lived in Ireland for at least three of the last five years, you should be eligible to apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) for additional funding to help with living costs.
- If you’re an Irish national who’s lived in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three or more years before the start of the course, you may be eligible for Maintenance Loan or Postgraduate Loan support from Student Finance England.
PGCE students
Tuition fees
If you’re an Irish citizen, who’s been resident in Ireland, the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man (or a combination of these locations) for three years before the start of your course, you’ll be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate. Irish students studying for a PGCE can apply for an undergraduate Tuition Fee Loan to cover course fees. You’ll need to meet the same eligibility criteria as UK students. Check your eligibility with Student Finance England.
Living costs support
Irish nationals are not usually eligible for a Maintenance Loan from Student Finance England to support their PGCE studies unless:
- You’re an Irish national who’s lived in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three or more years before the start of the course. In this case you may be eligible for Maintenance Loan support from Student Finance England.
Postgraduate students (excluding PGCE)
Tuition fees
If you’re an Irish citizen, who’s been resident in Ireland, the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man (or a combination of these locations) for three years before the start of your course, you’ll be eligible for the UK tuition fee rate.
Master’s Loan
If you’re an Irish national who’s lived in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three or more years before the start of the course, you may be eligible for Master’s Loan Support from Student Finance England. Check your eligibility with Student Finance England.
Doctoral Loan
If you’re an Irish citizen, who’s been resident in Ireland, the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man (or a combination of these locations) for three years before the start of your course, you may be eligible for a Doctoral Loan. Check your eligibility with Student Finance England.
Living costs support
There are no additional Maintenance Loans with Master’s or Doctoral Loans.