Applying for university
Student loans and finance 2025
For 2025/26, you can borrow for tuition (up to £9,535) and, if eligible, for living costs (up to £13,762 if studying in London). Repayments begin only when your income reaches £25,000 or more.
England & Wales (2025/26)
Plan 5 threshold
Living in London
Current rate
Tuition fees
Fees cover core delivery costs such as teaching, assessment and graduation services. The amount you pay depends on where you live and where you study.
For 2025/26, universities in England and Wales may charge up to £9,535 a year. Providers at the cap must meet teaching quality requirements and maintain an approved access plan.
Student loans
There are two strands: a tuition fee loan paid straight to your university, and a maintenance loan paid to you for living costs.
Which courses are eligible?
- BA/BSc and other first degrees, foundation degrees, CertHE/DipHE
- HNC/HND and Initial Teacher Training
- Accelerated degrees: tuition loans up to £11,440
- Part-time study at ≥25% intensity: tuition up to £7,145
Am I eligible?
Eligibility depends on residency, nationality, age and course approval. Most full-time first-degree applicants qualify. Second degrees have limited support (for certain subjects or top-ups) and usually exclude maintenance loans.
Tuition fee loan
Covers course fees up to £9,535. Paid directly to your provider.
Maintenance loan (means-tested)
Contributes to rent, food and travel. Amount depends on household income and study location.
Maintenance loans
Paid into your bank account at the start of each term. The maximums below are typical for England.
| Where you live | Max (2025/26) |
|---|---|
| At home | £8,877 |
| Away from home (outside London) | £10,544 |
| Away from home (London) | £13,762 |
| UK course with a year abroad | £12,076 |
Scotland, Northern Ireland & Wales
Scotland: a Special Support Loan can lift the overall package to around £11,400 for lower-income households (under ~£21k).
Northern Ireland: maintenance loans up to roughly £11,391, plus non-repayable grants up to £3,475 for those who qualify.
Wales: a mix of grants and loans up to about £15,415, depending on income and study circumstances.
How to apply for student finance
When to apply
In England, applications usually open in March. If your course starts August–December, aim to submit by 31 May. You can still apply up to nine months after your academic year begins.
Where to apply
- England: Student Finance England (online)
- Scotland: SAAS
- Wales: Student Finance Wales
- Northern Ireland: Student Finance NI
Repaying student loans (Plan 5)
You repay from the April after you leave your course, and only if your pay is at least £25,000. Repayments are 9% of any income above that threshold. The current interest rate shown is 7.8%, and anything left after 40 years is written off.
Employees repay through PAYE automatically. If you move overseas, your threshold changes and you’ll pay the Student Loans Company directly.
Quick repayment calculator
Illustrative only: ignores interest accrual, tax changes and overseas rules.
Paying off early & credit score
You can make extra payments whenever you like with no penalty. Loans don’t show on your credit report, but lenders may factor repayments into affordability checks.
How to cancel student finance
Before starting: ask your funding body to amend or withdraw your application.
After term begins (England/Wales/NI): liability typically becomes 25% once term 1 starts, 50% after term 2 starts, and 100% once term 3 begins.
Maintenance loans: once an instalment is paid to you, you’re responsible for it (plus interest). Get guidance before you withdraw or suspend.
Hardship funds
Universities and public schemes can help if money gets tight—particularly for low-income students, parents, disabled students, care-experienced students and mature learners. Check GOV.UK and your university for bursaries, scholarships and hardship support.
Student bank accounts
Most banks offer dedicated student accounts. Prioritise the size of the 0% overdraft and the app experience over freebies. You’ll need proof of your place to open an account.
- Compare major UK banks’ sites
- Read independent advice (e.g., MoneySavingExpert)
- Use comparison tools (e.g., Compare the Market)
Checklist
- ✔ 0% overdraft sized for your budget
- ✔ Banking app and features you’ll use
- ✔ Branch/ATM access if needed
- ✔ Incentives (railcards, cash) are a bonus
Postgraduate funding by nation (Masters/PGDip/PGCert)
Choose your nation to see how much support is available, who can apply, course rules, how to apply and how repayments work.
Who can apply
- Ordinarily resident in Scotland; usually 3 years UK/CI/IoM residency
- EU nationals with EUSS may get tuition support if studying and graduating in Scotland
- Loans are not means-tested
Eligible courses
- Taught Masters and PGDip (PhD not eligible)
- Part-time allowed for tuition (max twice the FT length); no living-cost loan for PT
- Distance learning now eligible (minimum contact rules apply)
Apply & key dates
Apply online via SAAS. For Aug–Dec 2025 starts, aim by late June; final date is 1 Dec 2025. For Jan–Mar 2026 starts, deadline 1 Mar 2026. Re-apply each academic year if your course spans multiple years.
Payments & repayment
Tuition goes to your university; living-cost payments go to your bank in instalments. Repay at 9% over the Plan 4 threshold, interest currently around 4.3%. Any remaining balance is cleared after about 30 years.