Course Fees

Birmingham School of Acting has been awarded funding by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for all its UK and EU students on all full-time undergraduate degree courses. This means that students’ fees are funded publicly apart from the mandatory student contribution of £3225 (or as set by UK Government). UK Students may apply to their LEA (Local Education Authority) for help with these fees, which will be means-tested.

Students who are assessed as not having to pay full fees may be eligible for a bursary. EU students may apply to the EU team at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DfIUS) for help with fees and in some cases student loans.

Students with previous degrees may not entitle for help with the mandatory fee contribution, but they may still apply for additional student loans. For students outside the EU the private fee is payable.

Please visit http://www.bcu.ac.uk/prospective/finance for further information on student finance.

For more information about International fees please visit the Fees, Scholarship & Living Costs section of the BCU International Office website.

2009/2010 Fees

2010/2011 Fees

TBC - To Be Confirmed

Audition / Interview Fees

Most courses at Birmingham School of Acting require an Audition or Interview as part of the entry process. The audition fee is a one-off payment. We do not charge for the interviews required for entry on to the undergraduate Community and Applied Theatre / Dance Theatre and Stage Management degrees.

The table (Below) outlines the courses and costs for Auditions and Interviews along with the reference for the guide to applicants which informs you of what you need to prepare for the audition/interview.

Withdrawal of Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) funding

An ELQ is a qualification already held by you that is equivalent to, or at a higher level than, the qualification you wish to study.

In September 2007 the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills instructed the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to remove public funding for most students holding an ELQ. This policy change came into effect in September 2008.  

Therefore, if you are a UK or EU student starting a full time undergraduate course in 2009/10 who already holds a qualification at the same or at a higher level (an ELQ) you may be charged a higher fee for your course.*

*There are a limited number of exemptions to this policy. Please look at the University’s website (http://www.bcu.ac.uk/prospective/finance) for a list of the exempt undergraduate courses. ELQ students on these programmes may be entitled to financial support.  Further information is available from direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

**A list of the courses currently classified as SIVS is available on the University’s website (http://www.bcu.ac.uk/prospective/finance).

Frequently Asked Questions about ELQs: Full-time students

1.                I’m a student currently studying for A levels /Access to Higher Education / Advanced or National Diploma: this will be my highest level qualification.   I intend to study a full time undergraduate degree at the University.  Will I be charged an ELQ fee?

No – your highest qualification is not at the same or a higher level than the degree course you will be studying at the University.

2.               'I'm resident outside the UK but within the EU, does the ELQ policy apply to me?

Yes – all home and EU students who already hold an equivalent or higher level qualification than their intended course will be deemed to be an ELQ.

3.                I am an international student; does the ELQ policy apply to me?

No – if your residence is outside the UK and EU then you are not included in the ELQ policy. Normal overseas student fees will apply.

4.                I will be an ELQ student who is deferring entry to 2010/11. Will I be treated differently?

No – if you are subject to the higher fee rate you will be treated in the same way as other ELQ students who enrol that year.

5.                I will be an ELQ student studying the foundation year of a four year degree. Will my fees be increased because of the ELQ policy?

Yes – the foundation year is deemed to be an integrated element of the full first degree course and therefore the ELQ fee policy applies.

6.                I have a Foundation Degree/Higher National Diploma and intend to ‘top up’ this award by studying for an undergraduate degree.  Will I be charged the ELQ fee?

No - Foundation Degrees and Higher National Diplomas are Level 5 qualifications. A ‘top-up’ undergraduate degree is a level 6 qualification and so the ELQ fee does not apply.

7.                I already have a degree.  I am now studying on a Foundation Degree and about to progress to the final year (level 6) of a degree.  Will I be charged the ELQ fee?

Yes – whilst study on a Foundation Degree is exempt from the ELQ policy, subsequent first degree top-ups are not protected (if you already hold a degree) and therefore a higher fee will be due for your final year top-up.

8.                I am an ELQ student who will be eligible to pay a tuition fee at the Island rate. Will I be charged the ELQ fee?

No – your fees will continue to be charged at the appropriate Island rate as determined by your government.

9.                I will be a new ELQ student, can I apply for a student loan from the Student Loan Company and will I be eligible for a bursary payment from the University?

No – unfortunately the ELQ policy means that the Student Loan Company will not issue loans. Equally the University is not permitted to issue a Higher Education Bursary payment. Detailed information on fees and student financial support is available on the Aimhigher website, the direct.gov website, and from your Local Authority. 

10.             I am an ELQ student who will be in receipt of a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). Will I be subject to the ELQ fee?

No – under the ELQ policy all students in receipt of DSA are exempt from higher ELQ fees. However in the first instance you should contact our Student Services department if you are in receipt of a DSA.

11.             I’m still not sure if my qualification is an ELQ. Who can I speak to?

In the first instance contact your Faculty Admissions Office at the University who will be happy to advise you.