Check Your Eligibility for Student Finance England

No — university is not free in the UK, but most eligible students do not pay tuition fees upfront. You apply for a Tuition Fee Loan (paid directly to your university) and a Maintenance Loan (paid to you for living costs). Repayments start only after your course, and only when your income is above the threshold for your plan.

For the 2025/26 academic year, full-time students can usually get up to £9,535 (up to £9,790 for 2026/27). Accelerated degree courses may qualify for up to £11,440 (or £11,750 from 2026/27). Foundation year amounts depend on your course subject—up to £5,760 for classroom-based courses, or up to £9,535 for partly practical subjects such as science, engineering, or the creative and performing arts. The loan is paid directly to your university. See GOV.UK — new full-time students.

Your Maintenance Loan is paid into your bank account each term. The amount depends on household income and where you live while studying — you may not receive the full maximum. Use the GOV.UK student finance calculator to estimate yours. Maximum amounts for 2025/26:

• Up to £8,877 if living with your parents (up to £9,118 for 2026/27).
• Up to £10,544 if living away from home, outside London (up to £10,830 for 2026/27).
• Up to £13,762 if living away from home, in London (up to £14,135 for 2026/27).
• Up to £12,076 if you spend a year of a UK course studying abroad (up to £12,403 for 2026/27).

If your course lasts longer than 30 weeks and 3 days, you may also qualify for a Long Course Loan. See GOV.UK.

The Master's Loan is not based on your income. It is paid directly to you for course fees and living costs. If your course lasts more than a year, the loan is split across each year in three instalments (33%, 33%, 34%). Maximum amounts:

• £13,206 — course starts on or after 1 August 2026.
• £12,858 — course started between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2026.
• £12,471 — course started between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025.

See GOV.UK — Master's Loan.

No. Your Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to your university, and your Maintenance Loan is paid into your bank account for living costs such as rent, food, and travel. You only start repaying after you finish or leave your course — and only when your income is above the repayment threshold for your plan.

• You must normally be a UK resident with British citizenship, pre-settled/settled status, ILR, or approved refugee status.
• You must have lived in the UK for at least three years before your course starts.
• You must be studying an eligible course at an approved provider.

Rules can differ for EU nationals, part-time study, and previous study. Check GOV.UK — who qualifies.

Yes. There is no upper age limit for Tuition Fee Loans or Maintenance Loans for undergraduate study in England. Mature students and students over 25 use the same application process through Student Finance England. Your age does not cap the loan — but household income still affects your Maintenance Loan amount.

Yes, in many cases. If your online course is eligible and delivered by an approved university or college, you can usually get a Tuition Fee Loan. Whether you can get a Maintenance Loan depends on full-time vs part-time status and your personal eligibility. Always confirm course eligibility with the provider and Student Finance England before you apply.

Apply as early as possible once applications open (usually spring before your course starts). You do not need a confirmed university place — update your course details later if needed. Apply through Student Finance England.

Maintenance Loans are paid in instalments at the start of each term, directly into your UK bank account. For a standard three-term year, payments are usually split 33%, 33%, and 34% — for example at the start of September, January, and April. You need a UK bank account in your name and must be registered on your course before payments are released.

No. Repayments start only after you finish or leave your course and your income is above the threshold for your plan. If you earn below the threshold, you pay nothing that month. You can make voluntary extra payments at any time if you choose.

Plan 5 applies to most English undergraduate courses starting on or after 1 August 2023. You repay 9% of income above £25,000 a year (£2,083 a month).

Example: income of £33,000 a year (£2,750 a month) → £2,750 − £2,083 = £667 → 9% of £667 = about £60 a month.

Other plans: Plan 1 (£26,900 threshold), Plan 2 (£29,385), Plan 4 (£33,795) — all at 9%. Postgraduate Loan threshold is £21,000 at 6%. See GOV.UK — what you pay.

Any remaining balance is written off after a set period, depending on your plan:

• Plan 5: 40 years after the April you were first due to repay.
• Plan 2: 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.
• Plan 1: 25 years after the April you were first due to repay (or when you reach 65, depending on when you took the loan).

If you never earn above the threshold, you may pay nothing and the loan can still be written off at the end of the period.

Student loans do not appear on your credit file like a credit card or personal loan, so they do not directly affect your credit score. Mortgage lenders may consider your monthly repayment when assessing affordability, but a student loan does not automatically stop you getting a mortgage.

Some students can claim Universal Credit, but full-time students are usually excluded unless an exception applies — for example if you are a lone parent, disabled with limited capability for work, or have a partner who qualifies. Check GOV.UK — Universal Credit eligibility or speak to an adviser before applying.

Yes. Part-time work usually does not affect your Tuition Fee Loan or Maintenance Loan. Your maintenance amount is based mainly on household income, not your wages. Earnings may affect benefits such as Universal Credit — check how your income interacts with any benefits you already receive.

You may get extra financial help if you are on a low income, disabled, have children or dependants, or study certain courses. You usually do not repay this extra help. Examples include:

• Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) — for disabilities, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions, or dyslexia.
• Childcare Grant, Parents' Learning Allowance, Adult Dependants' Grant — for eligible full-time students with dependants.
• NHS Learning Support Fund and bursaries — for certain medical, nursing, and allied health courses.
• Social work bursaries and teacher training funding — for eligible courses.

Use the student finance calculator or see GOV.UK — extra help.