Student Loans and University Tuition Fees: Know the Facts

Going to university is very expensive and therefore it is very important to research the methods of obtaining money from every available source. Student loans are probably the cheapest source of available funds.

This article aims to help you to know the main facts and figures about student loans, how much you can expect to receive and when you will have to pay it back.

Basic Facts You Need to Know

Student loans are sums of money available to students. They are not means-tested, which means that they are available to everyone no matter what their household income. Student loans come from the Government, which is why they are the cheapest available source and are repayable after a term. Costs in general vary depending on where you choose to study so it’s wise to research the place you intend to go and plan how much you will need.

Tuition Fees

If you’re a new student or a continuing student after from after the year 2006, £9,790 is the maximum fee you can be charged per year for tuition in 2026/2027. The amount you are charged depends on the course, the university and whereabouts you are in the UK. There is no set fee for universities to charge for part time courses. Scottish students studying in Scotland have their tuition fees of £1,820 per year paid by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). If studying elsewhere in the UK, they can apply for tuition fee loans.

Student Loans

There are two types of student loan available. The first is one to cover your tuition fees, which is the actual cost of studying your degree. The second is called a maintenance loan, which covers living costs during your time at university. This will help cover accommodation, travel, food, equipment for studying and any other living costs. This loan however, is means-tested, which means that the amount you receive depends on what your total household income is. These are paid into your bank account, usually in three instalments.

How Much Can You Apply For?

You can apply for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,790 per year. This is the maximum that the loan can be and is paid directly to your university. The maximum student loan available for maintenance varies by location - up to £13,762 for students in London, £10,544 for those living away from home outside London, and £8,877 for those living with parents unless you’re a student in London where then you’d be eligible for a bit more. As previously mentioned, this loan is means-tested so you may not get this much.

Repaying a Student Loan

Repayments for loans are made after you have finished your degree course and are earning a salary above the repayment threshold, which varies by plan type - £25,000 for Plan 5, £28,470 for Plan 2 (rising to £29,385 from April 2026). The rate of at which you have to pay back your loan is at 9% for any income earned over the £15,000. So for example, if you earn £25,000 per year, you will pay 9% of £10,000. This will be taken directly out of your wage and will be shown on your payslip. There is the chance for some students to take a repayment holiday of up to five years before repaying the sum.

Grants

In certain circumstances, students become eligible for grant awards. This is usually aimed at those from extremely low-income families and depends on the type of subject you plan to study. Grants are not like loans and do not need to be repaid. It is useful to research as to whether you are eligible for a grant and how to apply.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Parental Rights Checker lets you check your legal rights as a parent on education, health and welfare decisions. Try it now →