Reduced tuition fees, earning during placement, and loan accumulation for sandwich year students
Placement years (sandwich years) are work placements between Years 2 and 3 of your degree. Tuition fees drop to £1,850 (20% of standard rate), and you earn a salary (typically £16,000-£22,000). Your student status continues, but you're employed full-time.
Tuition: £1,850 (covered by tuition fee loan). Maintenance loan: Available but many students decline it since placement salary covers living costs. you're still a student so no loan repayments required despite earning £16k-£22k.
Placement year is financially advantageous: low tuition (£1,850 vs £9,250), earn £16k-£22k gross, no loan repayments during placement. Many students save £5,000-£10,000 during placement year, reducing final year borrowing or building emergency fund.
UK Education Policy Specialist
With over 15 years of experience in UK education policy and student finance, Dr. Sharma founded Student Loan Calculator UK to help students navigate the complex world of student loans.