University costs are a major financial commitment. Here is everything you need to know about student finance for the 2026/27 academic year, including how much you will get and how repayments work.
Tuition Fee Loan 2026/27
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Maximum tuition fee | £9,535 per year (England) |
| Who pays | Student Finance England pays your university directly |
| You pay upfront | Nothing — the loan covers fees in full |
| Repayment | After graduation, once earning above the threshold |
The tuition fee loan covers the full cost of your course. You do not need to find this money upfront.
Maintenance Loan 2026/27
The maintenance loan covers living costs (accommodation, food, books, travel). The amount depends on where you live and study, and your household income.
Maximum Rates (Household Income £25,000 or Below)
| Living situation | Maximum maintenance loan (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Living at home | £8,500 |
| Living away from home, outside London | £10,600 |
| Living away from home, in London | £13,800 |
| Studying abroad (year abroad) | £12,200 |
How Household Income Affects Your Loan
| Household income | Approx. maintenance loan (away, outside London) |
|---|---|
| £25,000 or below | Full amount (~£10,600) |
| £30,000 | ~£10,000 |
| £40,000 | ~£8,800 |
| £50,000 | ~£7,500 |
| £60,000 | ~£5,900 |
| £70,000+ | Minimum amount (~£4,800) |
Everyone receives at least the minimum maintenance loan regardless of household income.
How to Apply
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1 | Create an account at gov.uk/student-finance |
| 2 | Complete the application (personal details, course, income) |
| 3 | Parents/partners provide household income details (separate login) |
| 4 | Receive confirmation of funding amount |
| 5 | Maintenance loan paid in 3 instalments (start of each term) |
Key Dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Feb/March 2026 | Applications open for 2026/27 |
| May/June 2026 | Recommended deadline for starting students |
| September 2026 | First maintenance loan payment (at start of term) |
| January 2027 | Second payment |
| April 2027 | Third payment |
Repayment Plans
| Feature | Plan 5 (from 2023/24 starters) | Plan 2 (2012–2023 starters) | Plan 1 (pre-2012 starters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repayment threshold | £25,000/year | £27,295/year | £24,990/year |
| Repayment rate | 9% of earnings above threshold | 9% of earnings above threshold | 9% of earnings above threshold |
| Interest rate | RPI only (no extra interest) | RPI + up to 3% (based on income) | Lower of RPI or Bank of England + 1% |
| Written off after | 40 years | 30 years | 25 years (or age 65) |
| Collected via | Payroll (PAYE) or Self Assessment | Payroll or Self Assessment | Payroll or Self Assessment |
Monthly Repayment Examples (Plan 5)
| Annual salary | Monthly salary | Amount above threshold | Monthly repayment |
|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | £2,083 | £0 | £0 |
| £28,000 | £2,333 | £250 | £22.50 |
| £30,000 | £2,500 | £417 | £37.50 |
| £35,000 | £2,917 | £833 | £75.00 |
| £40,000 | £3,333 | £1,250 | £112.50 |
| £50,000 | £4,167 | £2,083 | £187.50 |
Repayments are automatic. You do not need to set up payments.
Total Debt on Graduation
| Duration | Tuition fees | Maintenance (away, outside London, max) | Total debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-year degree | £28,605 | £31,800 | ~£60,000 |
| 4-year degree (with placement/year abroad) | £38,140 | £42,400 | ~£80,000 |
Most graduates will never repay the full amount — the debt is written off after 40 years.
Extra Financial Support
Grants and Bursaries (Do Not Need to Be Repaid)
| Support | Who it’s for | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) | Students with a disability, learning difficulty, or health condition | Up to £27,404/year |
| NHS bursary | Nursing, midwifery, and allied health students | £5,000/year minimum |
| University bursaries | Varies by institution — usually based on household income | £500–£3,000+ |
| Scholarship schemes | Academic merit, subject-specific, or widening participation | Varies widely |
| Care leavers’ bursary | Students who were in local authority care | Up to £2,000 (from university) |
| Childcare Grant | Student parents | Up to ~£190/week (1 child) or ~£326/week (2+ children) |
| Parents’ Learning Allowance | Student parents | Up to ~£1,950/year |
| Adult Dependants’ Grant | Students with a dependent adult | Up to ~£3,400/year |
Hardship Funds
Most universities have a hardship fund for students in financial difficulty. Apply through your university’s student services.
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Student finance varies by where you live (domicile), not where you study.
| Country | Tuition fees (at local universities) | Maintenance | Administered by |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | Up to £9,535/year | Loan (income-assessed) | Student Finance England |
| Scotland | Free (for Scottish students at Scottish unis) | Loan + bursary | SAAS |
| Wales | Up to £9,000/year (but fee grant available) | Loan + grant (Welsh Govt Learning Grant) | Student Finance Wales |
| Northern Ireland | Up to £4,710/year (at NI universities) | Loan + grant | Student Finance NI |
Scottish students studying in Scotland pay no tuition fees. Welsh students receive a non-repayable maintenance grant alongside their loan.
Budgeting at University
Typical Monthly Costs (Outside London)
| Expense | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (halls or private rent) | £400–£700 |
| Food and groceries | £150–£250 |
| Bills (if not included in rent) | £50–£100 |
| Transport | £30–£80 |
| Course materials | £20–£50 |
| Social and entertainment | £50–£150 |
| Phone | £15–£30 |
| Total | £715–£1,360 |
The maximum maintenance loan (outside London) works out to roughly £880/month. Students from higher-income families with a reduced loan may need part-time work or family support to cover costs.
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