Quick answer: A “funded” UK degree usually means Student Finance England can pay a Tuition Fee Loan (up to £9,790 for most full-time courses in 2026/27) straight to the university, and you may also get a Maintenance Loan for living costs. It is still a loan: new undergraduate borrowers on Plan 5 repay 9% of income over £25,000 a year. Source: GOV.UK, checked 5 November 2026.
This page answers: “Is my degree funded?” and “What does SFE actually cover?” For how the wider SFE system works (loans, eligibility, applying), see how student finance works in England.
What “funded” really means
“Funded” does not mean free. It means eligible UK home students can use government student loans so they do not need to pay tuition upfront. The Tuition Fee Loan is paid to the university; the Maintenance Loan (if awarded) is paid to you. You repay later through HMRC once you earn over your plan’s threshold.
What Student Finance England covers
- Tuition Fee Loan — up to £9,790 for most full-time undergraduate courses in 2026/27 (£11,750 for some accelerated degrees). Paid to your university.
- Maintenance Loan — living-cost support. 2026/27 full-time maximums are £9,118 if you live at home, £10,830 away from home outside London, and £14,135 in London (household income can reduce these).
- Extra support where you qualify — for example Disabled Students’ Allowance, Childcare Grant, Parents’ Learning Allowance or Adult Dependants’ Grant. These have their own rules.
Exact figures: GOV.UK new full-time students.
What “funded” does not automatically include
- Every course at every provider — the course must be designated for student finance.
- A guaranteed Maintenance Loan amount — income assessment and living location change the figure.
- Course costs outside tuition — books, travel, deposits and equipment are usually yours to budget.
- A second full degree if previous study has used up your entitlement (ELQ / previous-study rules).
If you have studied before, also read second degree and previous study and how much LLE funding you could have left.
How to check if your course is fundable
- Confirm you are applying as a UK home student for Student Finance England (rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
- Check the university course page says the course is eligible for undergraduate student finance / SFE.
- Run our free eligibility checker, then apply on GOV.UK.
- Read your Notification of Entitlement — that letter is decisive for what you will be paid.
Tuition vs living costs: who gets the money
Tuition Fee Loan → university. Maintenance Loan → your bank. For the payment flow (25%/25%/50% tuition instalments and termly maintenance), see SFE payment flow: who gets paid when. For loan types side by side, see Tuition Fee Loan vs Maintenance Loan.
Repayment in one line
Most new undergraduates are on Plan 5: 9% of income above £25,000 a year, with interest still added below the threshold. Details: student loan repayment thresholds hub and the Plan 5 repayment calculator.
How AF Education helps
We help UK home students — especially mature students and foundation-year applicants — find designated courses and apply for Student Finance England at no cost to you. Start with the eligibility checker or browse university options for mature students.
Frequently asked questions
Is a funded degree the same as a free degree?
No. “Funded” usually means Student Finance England can pay your Tuition Fee Loan to the university so you do not pay upfront. You still repay later if your income is over the threshold for your plan.
Does SFE pay my tuition to me?
No. The Tuition Fee Loan is paid to your university. Only the Maintenance Loan (and some grants) are paid into your bank account.
What is the 2026/27 Tuition Fee Loan maximum?
GOV.UK lists up to £9,790 for most full-time undergraduate courses in 2026/27, or up to £11,750 for some accelerated degrees. Your course fee cannot exceed what SFE will lend for that course.
How is this different from “how student finance works”?
This page is about whether your degree is covered and what SFE pays for. How student finance works in England is the wider system guide (loans, eligibility, applying and repayment basics).
Can online or blended degrees be funded?
Often yes if the course is designated for student finance, but Maintenance Loan rules can differ for distance learning. See online and blended degrees: Student Finance England.
