England

This loan helps pay for your course fees.

How much can I borrow?

For the 2026/27 academic year, you can receive up to:

• £9,790 for a full‑time course
• £7,335 for a part‑time course

The tuition fee is set by the university or college. The loan for the tuition fee will be paid directly to the university or college.

Foundation year fees

Tuition fee and tuition fee loan limits were introduced for foundation years in some subjects in the 2025-26 academic year.

This means that students will pay a reduced tuition fee if they are completing a foundation year at an English higher education provider in a classroom-based subject. This includes subjects such as business, social sciences, or humanities. Students completing a foundation year in these subjects will also receive a reduced tuition fee loan.

For other non-classroom-based subjects, there is a maximum tuition fee set which is the same as the maximum tuition fee for undergraduate courses. The maximum tuition fee for non-classroom-based subjects includes subjects such as science, engineering, medical subjects, creative and performing arts. You can apply for the maximum tuition fee loan for non-classroom-based foundation courses from Student Finance England (SFE).

The university or college will be able to confirm the tuition fee amount. For further information, see the guidance on tuition fees for foundation years available on the government website.

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)

Tuition fees for Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) vary depending on the course. You can find out the tuition fee amount from the university or college directly.

For further information on HTQs, visit the Department for Education website.

Alternative Student Finance

The government has committed to provide an alternative student finance product for people who feel unable to use existing student loans for university or college due to their faith or conscience. This student finance product will be compatible with Islamic finance principles.

See the government’s guidance on alternative student finance for further information.

Student Finance England (SFE) offer a maintenance loan to help you with your living costs, such as food, travel, and accommodation.

How much can I get?

For the 2026/27 academic year, students can receive between £4,013 and £14,135.
The amount depends on:

• your household income
• where you live while studying

See the government guidance and student finance calculator to find out how much you can take out as a loan.

New students

If your course starts between August and December 2026, you can apply from March 2026.
You should apply early to make sure your maintenance loan is ready for the start of your course.

You can apply by creating an online account with Student Finance England (SFE). It usually takes six to eight weeks to process an application. The application should take around 30 minutes.

If you will apply for a higher amount of student finance based on your household income, make sure to ask your parents or partner to provide their financial information as soon as possible to avoid delays to your application.

You can find information on how the application process works from Student Finance England.

Clearing

If you apply through Clearing, it is important to keep your course and university details up to date in your online SFE account.

See this guide for students who are applying during Clearing.

Current students

You must reapply for student finance every year. Log in to your SFE account to check for updates and payment dates.

Postgraduate students

If you have applied for undergraduate student finance in the past, you can use your existing online account to apply.

More information

For general information on student finance, see the government guidance on Student finance for undergraduates. You can also view answers to frequently asked questions in the ‘How to’ guide from Student Finance England (SFE).

You will need a bank account to apply for student finance. There are a number of student bank accounts that offer a range of incentives.

If you are a teacher or adviser, you can find information and resources on Student Finance England for practitioners website to support students to understand the financial help available, based in England.

For further updates, you can follow Student Finance England on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

For all courses starting from January 2027, the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will replace the current student finance system.

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will create a single funding system which gives learners more flexibility over how you study and help you to develop new skills and gain qualifications at a time that’s right for you.

You’ll be able to apply for LLE funding from September 2026 for courses starting from January 2027. This includes:

• full courses at Levels 4 to 6, such as degrees, technical qualifications, and designated distance-learning and online courses
• modules of high-value technical courses at Levels 4 and 5, and modules from full level 6 qualifications which align to priority skills needs and align to the government’s industrial strategy.

See the guidance from Student Finance England and the Department for Education for further information.

What does this mean for me?

You could receive funding for up to £38,140 (equal to four years of full-time study based on academic year 2025 to 2026 fee rates) throughout your learning journey to help cover your course fees.

Your course will be made up of a number of modules each academic year. Each module typically ranges from 15 to 40 credits. You can find out how many credits each module will be worth from your university or college.

For most students, the tuition loan would be equivalent to 480 credits’ worth of study throughout your learning journey. Your tuition fee loan can be used for a maximum of 180 credits per year.

You would need to apply for the tuition fee loan each year and your tuition fee will be paid directly to the university or college.

Living costs

If your course requires in-person attendance, you will also be able to apply for a maintenance loan to help towards your living costs.

Your household income, course or module details, and where you’ll be living during your studies will be used to determine how much you could receive.

Student Finance England may also offer extra support if you have children or an adult who depends on you financially, or you have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty.

Check how much student finance you could get through the government website.

You must repay your tuition and maintenance loans, but grants and bursaries do not need to be repaid.

Interest starts being added to your loan from when you get your first payment. The amount of interest depends on the plan which you are on.

When you start repaying your loan and how much you repay depends on your repayment plan. Your repayments stop if your income goes below the threshold.

You start repaying when your income goes above a certain amount. This amount changes every year in April. For April 2025 – March 2026, if you have a Plan 5 student loan, you will start to re-pay your loan when your income is over £480 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year.

See repaying your student loan for further information.

Bursaries, grants and scholarships help with costs and do not need to be paid back.

• scholarships are often given to those who do very well academically or excel in areas like music or sport.
• bursaries and grants are usually awarded to students based on their personal circumstances. This could include having a low income or being from a background where fewer people go to university.

The below bursaries are available for students:

Teacher training has funding available which can help undergraduates and postgraduates with the costs of their teacher training.

The Social Work Bursary (SWB) is a grant to support eligible social work students who normally live in England.

The NHS Learning Support Fund is available if you’re studying pre-registration nursing, midwifery and other allied health profession courses at English universities/colleges. This includes:

• various NHS bursaries if you’re studying certain medical or dentistry courses.
• a grant to cover some travel expenses if you’re studying a medical or dentistry course abroad or as part of a UK clinical placement.

More information about any bursaries and scholarships will also be available on university and college websites.

There is extra help available for:

• care leavers or students who are estranged from their parents
• students who have dependent children, or who are caring for an adult
• disabled students
• students who have a low household income.

Care leavers

Care leavers can get the maximum maintenance loan and extra support from local authorities, charities, and universities.

SFE have published guidance to support care leavers applying for student finance.

Higher Education Bursary

This is a bursary paid by your local authority. It’s usually paid in instalments over the duration of the course. However, local authorities also have their own care leavers pledge, which differs from county to county. Speak to your social worker or leaving care worker, who will be able to advise you.

Leaving Care Grant

This is a grant paid by your local authority when you leave care to help you with the costs of setting up home, including things you need when you go to university. Guidance from the government recommends contacting your local council to find out how much is available.

Charities

There are charities and foundations that can provide support.

Propel has been set up by Become, the charity for children in care and young care leavers, which provides information about financial support available.

The Unite Foundation works in partnership with universities across the UK and offers bursaries and scholarships. You will need to apply for these and they are not guaranteed.

Apprenticeship bursary

Care leavers (up to the age of 24) who choose to start an apprenticeship will receive a £3,000 bursary to help with the transition to the workplace.

See the government webpage for further information.

University or college bursaries

Universities and colleges usually have grants and bursaries for care experienced students. These may include:

• fee waivers
• fee reductions
• reduced accommodation fees
• bursaries.

You can check what you may be entitled to with your chosen university or college.

Estranged students

If you don’t have contact with your parents, their income will not be used to assess your loan.

StandAlone is a charity that offers extra support for young people who are estranged from their family.

Disabled students

Students with disabilities or additional needs can apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). This can help pay for equipment, software, a non‑medical helper, or other study costs.

The DSA supports with study-related costs you may have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or other disability.

Find out further information on the government webpages on the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Students with children or adult dependants

You may get extra grants, including:

• Childcare Grant
• Parents’ Learning Allowance
• Adult Dependants’ Grant

Financial hardship

Universities may offer extra money if you are struggling with money. You can contact your student support services to find out if there is any additional support available.

Working while studying

Working while studying can help. You can work part-time while studying, as well as working during summer holidays.

Degree apprenticeships

If you complete a degree apprenticeship, you will work and study at the same time and your employer pays your tuition fees.

Budgeting

It’s important to manage and budget your money carefully, as you may receive larger payments than you’re used to.