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Final year students will soon have one more reason to dive into the graduate workforce.

The government has announced it is to re-direct funding away from students who want to study for a second degree.

This means that many of those currently at university will receive less financial backing if they choose to continue their time in higher education after graduating.

The changes are set to affect those students who want to get another qualification at the same, or a lower level, than the one they already have.

John Denham, the universities secretary, has instructed England's funding council to make the cuts.

He wrote in a letter to the organisation: "While there may be much benefit to an individual, or their employer, in them retraining for a second qualification at the same level, this is not, in my view, usually as high a priority for public funding as support for students who are either entering higher education for the first time, or progressing to higher qualifications."

However, the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is keen to point out that this does not represent an overall cut in the level of student funding.

It told students: "Instead, the grant will be re-directed to support more people of all ages going to study higher education in England for the first time.

Gemma Tumelty, president of the National Union of Students, warned: "We live in an era of serial careers, particularly amongst highly skilled workers - and it would be a great shame if a change in funding arrangements were to limit the potential of those who have found a new direction and wanted to support this by returning to higher education."

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