Bath Spa University part of a group of UK universities to pursue legal action over withdrawal of maintenance funding for students studying in London

A group of nine UK universities, including Bath Spa University (BSU), have formally indicated their intention to pursue legal action against the Department for Education (DfE) and the Student Loans Company (SLC) following the sudden withdrawal of maintenance funding from students studying on weekend-based courses.

BSU students affected by the Department for Education’s decision are studying at the University’s London teaching centres in Hackney and Canary Wharf, where some weekend-based courses are offered. Students attending courses in Bath have not been affected by this action.

The group of universities warn that the abrupt decision by the DFE and SLC stems from the failure of the Student Loans Company to provide clear and consistent guidance, or to meaningfully engage with the sector. Taken with minimal notice, the move has caused serious financial distress for affected students and placed many at risk of being unable to continue their studies.

For affected students, the withdrawal has particularly affected those balancing work, caring responsibilities, and education. For these students, maintenance loans are essential to cover basic living costs.

Alongside this action, the National Union of Students (NUS) continue to petition the government as the severity of their decision is realised and a petition containing more than 13,000 signatures is set to be presented to the Department for Education in London this afternoon (Thursday 16 April).

The institutions strongly reject the classification of in-person, timetabled weekend teaching as “distance learning” and argue that the policy not only defies common sense but is also inconsistent with the Student Support Regulations as interpreted and applied since 2011. It makes no sense for face-to-face study delivered on Saturdays and Sundays to be “distance learning” while identical provision during the week is “in-person”.

The group of universities that have co-signed the formal legal letter understand that approximately 22,000 students studying at more than 20 universities are affected.

Bath Spa University and the group of universities stands firmly with their students and are actively communicating with those affected, providing support including hardship funds and additional communication channels, but say that urgent action is needed, and call upon the government to revoke this action immediately and work with the sector to deliver a fair and sustainable solution.

Professor Georgina Andrews, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of Bath Spa University, said:

“The DfE and SLC say they want to prioritise the needs of students, but their actions have punished those who are the most vulnerable in our society who are trying to improve their lives through education. It is indefensible that individuals are suffering for what is clearly a systemic failure by the SLC. Universities have been acting in good faith, following guidance provided by the SLC over several years.

“This change in the definition of distance learning to include Weekend Learning undermines the government’s own ambitions to expand flexible learning opportunities and ensure learners have a real choice in how they build their skills and qualifications and contribute to the economy and society over time.”

Professor James Knowles, Southampton Solent University:

“Universities have faced a prolonged period of inconsistent and unclear advice from the Student Loans Company, creating significant uncertainty for institutions and students alike.

“The decision to block access to student finance, announced with minimal notice, is the latest and most concerning example of this approach and is unjust in its impact on students who are already navigating complex personal and financial circumstances.

“This action runs counter to the government’s stated ambition of supporting flexible education routes that reflect the realities of modern learners’ lives. At a time when the UK urgently needs to upskill and reskill its workforce, restricting access to finance risks undermining opportunities for individuals and dampening progress towards national economic goals.”

Professor Julie Hall, Vice-Chancellor of London Metropolitan University, said:

"We are seriously concerned that the Government is repeating the patterns seen in other high profile administrative issues where system failures have devastated individuals. Students have been stripped of support overnight and told to repay loans that were previously approved and processed.

"This action by the Student Loans Company hits students from underrepresented and lower income backgrounds the hardest. These individuals rely on this funding to meet basic living costs in the capital. Removing it so abruptly mid-semester risks forcing many to abandon their studies, undermining years of progress in widening participation and fair access to higher education.

"We call on the Department for Education to resolve the inconsistencies in their guidance regarding in person teaching. Students should not be forced into financial crisis because of technical reclassifications and a lack of joined up thinking between different government systems. They must not be penalised for regulatory shifts that are entirely outside of their control."

ENDS

Notes to editors

  • The ‘formal legal letter’ is a Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) letter; the first step a party should take before issuing an application for judicial review. It sets out the detail of the legal dispute and gives the government and SLC the opportunity to settle the matter without the cost and publicity of court action.
  • Affected students can seek advice here: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/faqs-weekend-study-and-funding-eligibility/