Funding and scholarships for students

ELCAS funding for Armed Forces personnel

The University of Exeter is proud to support members of the UK Armed Forces and has pledged their support to the HM Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. The Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) is a promise to ensure those who serve or who have served in the HM armed forces, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives. 

We actively accept funding through the Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS) to help you pursue higher education. The Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) Scheme promotes lifelong learning and supports transition into civilian careers. It helps serving personnel, service leavers, and veterans fund higher-level study at approved UK learning providers.

As an ELCAS-approved provider, many of our undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programmes are eligible for funding. We welcome applications from serving personnel, veterans and Armed Forces families, offering flexible routes into university.

What does ELCAS funding cover?

Depending on your length of service and eligibility, you may be entitled to funding for up to three separate financial years. This funding can be used toward nationally recognised qualifications at Level 3 and above (such as foundation degrees, undergraduate degrees, or postgraduate certificates) or approved international equivalents.

The Armed Forces Covenant logo, showcasing our Gold Award in the Employer Recognition Scheme.

Who is eligible for ELCAS funding?

You may be eligible for ELCAS funding if you are:

  • A serving member of the UK Armed Forces
  • A service leaver
  • A veteran within your eligible claim period

Eligibility and entitlement are determined by the MOD. You must confirm your individual eligibility through your military Education Officer or via the official ELCAS website before applying to us.

What University of Exeter courses are eligible for ELCAS funding?

ELCAS funding applies to courses that lead to a recognised qualification, including:

  • Undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc, BEng)
  • Postgraduate programmes (MSc, MA, PGCert, PGDip)
  • Part-time and distance learning options (ideal for personnel stationed overseas or balancing service commitments)

Because not all individual modules or standalone courses qualify, please check our specific course pages or contact our admissions team for confirmation.

ELCAS logo with border

  1. Confirm your eligibility (before applying) - Check your funding eligibility and entitlement through ELCAS or your military Education Officer.
  2. Check that the course you want to apply for is listed on the ELCAS website on the University of Exeter's profile page - if it's not, contact the University's Admissions team to ask for it to be added.
  3. Apply for your course with us - Submit your course application through our standard routes. Make sure to state clearly on your application that you intend to use ELCAS funding.
  4. Submit your ELCAS claim (to the MOD) - Apply for ELCAS funding via the official ELCAS system. Claims should normally be submitted well in advance of your course start date.
  5. Complete enrolment and fee arrangements (before classes start) - Once approved, provide your ELCAS Claim Authorisation Note (CAN) to our finance team. If your ELCAS voucher does not cover the full tuition fee, you will need to arrange payment for the remaining balance during registration.
  • Direct payment: ELCAS funding is paid directly to the University once your claim is approved.
  • Personal contribution: The scheme requires a personal contribution (usually 20%) toward your tuition fees. You are responsible for paying this portion.
  • Delays: If your funding approval is delayed by the MOD, you may need to make temporary payment arrangements with us to secure your place on the course.
  • Timeframes: ELCAS funding must be claimed within the specific timeframes set out by the MOD.

To complete your ELCAS claim paperwork, you will need our official provider information:

  • Learning Provider: University of Exeter
  • ELCAS provider number: 1277

Please ensure the correct provider name and number are used on your ELCAS claim.

Navigating military funding can feel complicated, but we are here to help. If you need guidance on course eligibility, application deadlines, or fee arrangements, please contact our dedicated support team:

  • Course eligibility
  • Application timing
  • Fee arrangements

Please contact: Enquire online or telephone 0300 555 60 60 (UK callers)*.

For full scheme rules and eligibility criteria, visit the official ELCAS website.

*Calling us on an 0300 number will cost you the same as a call to a standard landline number starting with 01 and 02.

If you have an inclusive call package for calling landline numbers on your mobile or landline telephone the call would simply be reduced from your available talk minutes. Otherwise your call will be charged at the same rate as calling a standard national rate number.

We welcome applications from serving personnel, veterans and Armed Forces families and are committed to supporting flexible routes into higher education through ELCAS funding.