Core test
3 years' ordinary residence
Also covers
Settled / pre-settled status
Evidence
Provider must retain proof
Stream
Applies across streams
The three-year ordinary residence rule
Most learners qualify if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for the three years immediately before their course starts, and have a recognised immigration status that allows them to remain. Time spent wholly or mainly for the purpose of education does not always count.
Exceptions and protected groups
Settled and pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, refugees and those with humanitarian protection, and certain family members have their own eligibility routes. The exact categories differ slightly by funding stream and are set out in the relevant funding rules.
Evidence and audit
Providers must check and retain evidence of eligibility. Residency errors are a frequent finding in funding monitoring, so eligibility should be confirmed and recorded at enrolment.
Indicative summary only. Always confirm against the official source documents before making funding or compliance decisions.