Equivalent or Lower Qualifications (ELQ)

Study for equivalent or lower qualifications

Recent government policy has stopped institutions receiving government funding for students from the UK and EU(non-UK) who already have a qualification at or above the level of the one they wish to take. This policy is known as the ELQ (equivalent or lower qualifications) policy.

The ELQ policy came into effect in September 2008 and some other institutions had decided to pass on immediately to ELQ students the higher fees that result from the removal of government funding. The Guildhall School of Music & Drama has decided to keep its UK/EU fees at the normal rate for ELQ students for both 2008 entry and 2009 entry.

This means that students usually paying UK and EU(non-UK) fees starting new programmes at the Guildhall School in September 2008 and September 2009 will pay the normal UK and EU(non-UK) fee for the duration of that programme whether or not they are categorised as ELQ.

However, students starting new programmes in September 2010 who are categorised as ELQs will be liable to pay the full overseas fee level.

ELQ Student definition

If you already have a degree or diploma at or above the level of the programme you wish to study at the Guildhall School and would usually pay UK and EU(non-UK) fees you will be an ELQ. An equivalent or higher previous degree or diploma from any country counts in this way, not just those obtained in the UK or the EU.

Students from outside the EU with an equivalent or lower qualification, who would therefore already be paying overseas fees, are not affected by the policy.

Disabled Students

Students who will receive a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) during their studies are exempt from the ELQ policy. It is therefore important that both undergraduate and postgraduate students who may be eligible for a DSA inform the School of this on their application form.

Undergraduate Programmes

Please note that undergraduate ELQ students are not be eligible for student support from the UK government.

Taught Postgraduate Programmes

A student entering with a Masters level qualification or equivalent or higher to any of the School's taught postgraduate programmes will be classed as an ELQ student. A non-ELQ student progressing directly from Part One of the Guildhall Artist Masters programme to Part Two of the Guildhall Artist Masters programme will not be classed as an ELQ student.

Financial Awards (bursaries and scholarships)

These will be awarded in the normal manner, based on merit and/or financial need.

Further information

Please contact Kirsty Ellinor, Student Funding Officer (+44 (0)20 7382 7181), kirsty.ellinor@gsmd.ac.uk