Hi

I've got into Warwick to do MA International Relations. Would I be elegible to apply for a career development loan to cover the fees? I have heard that CDL's are only for people who pursue vocational or technical qualifications. Can someone clear this up for me?

Thanks

Hello- when I applied and did my MA (IR) in 2005-2006 I used a CDL loan to cover the fees and my rent, though repayments are pretty punishing. I presume its still the same, though it would be worth giving the CDL company a ring to check.

Hi Vince thanks for the info.

From my research so far, I think that the max CDL loan I could get would be 8000 pounds. Even if I get this amount I will have to get a job or something as the MA fee at Warwick is 6800 alone. I have a meeting at the bank next week so hopefully it will be sorted out.

Out of interest, what are you doing now...something IR related? What was your BA in?

Hello again- I found getting a CDL a really worthwhile thing to do (especially as I wouldnt be doing what I am doing now without it); my PhD is looking at issues in East Asian security/IR and my BA was split between area studies and politics. Hope you manage to get the money (I think if one bank turns you down, there are two others which you can still apply to) and best of luck with the MA.

I'm pretty sure the CDL will only cover the course fees - so the most you would be able to lend is the £6,800

I got turned down for a CDL on my MSc in IR because it wasn't considered a 'professional' qualification. Took out a standard loan instead and actually the interest rate is much better on this than the CDL (paying back several thousand less than I would have done on the CDL) so it's worth looking around.

If you take out a CDL, once you complete your course it is better to take out a regular loan to pay off the CDL because the interest rates will be better.
Good advice on CDLs from Martin Lewis, the money expert, can be found here: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/career-development-loans