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 nursing graduate from Edge Hill University in Liverpool, recently faced a shocking realization: the £10,538 maintenance loan he relied on to cover living expenses during his studies must now be repaid in full. His one-year postgraduate diploma in adult nursing, which he completed in summer 2025, was initially deemed eligible for funding. However, a new email from his university confirmed that the course had not met the criteria for maintenance loans or grants, prompting an urgent call for repayment.
Robinson, who used a combination of NHS bursaries and personal savings to fund his education, expressed frustration over the sudden reversal. “It just doesn’t make any sense to me whatsoever,” he said, adding that the financial burden could deter future students from pursuing similar paths. His experience mirrors that of thousands of others. According to BBC News, 22,000 students enrolled in weekend-based courses were informed this week by the Student Loans Company (SLC) or their universities that their courses were ineligible for support, leading to demands for immediate repayment.
Regulatory hurdles and university responses
Though Robinson’s program was full-time, including clinical placements, it fell under a recent policy change. Regulations now state that one-year postgraduate courses are typically not eligible for maintenance funding. In a joint statement, affected universities expressed concern, noting they were evaluating legal options to challenge the decision. They emphasized their commitment to supporting students during the review process.
The SLC acknowledged the issue, stating that some institutions had “incorrectly categorised distance learning courses.” The company pledged to assist students with “affordable repayment plans” where possible. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson called the situation a result of “incompetence or abuse of the system,” urging universities to act swiftly to alleviate financial strain on students.
Students’ perspectives and consequences
Robinson, now back in his NHS nursing role, argued that the loans should be repaid according to the original terms. “I was concerned, I can only repay what I can afford,” he said, highlighting the uncertainty caused by the sudden change. The university assured him that his qualification would still be recognized, though it would continue advocating for his case with the SLC.
Teaching assistant Lou Osborne, who resat GCSE exams to qualify for an education degree at the University of Sunderland, also faced similar news. Her two-year accelerated course, which included Saturday lectures and written assessments, had been a dream come true. However, she was told the £3,500 maintenance loan she used for books and transport would now be reclaimed “immediately” with interest. “We’re paying into the economy by working and are now told, ‘You don’t deserve help because you’re part-time,’” Osborne lamented, emphasizing the anxiety among students.
“It may not instil any confidence in people wanting to undertake the course that I have done, and be a nurse.” – David Robinson
Both students, now grappling with financial uncertainty, represent a growing concern over how funding rules impact postgraduate education. Their stories underscore the challenge of balancing policy changes with the realities of student debt and career aspirations.