Janice Lozano
The cost of university is a significant concern for students and their parents. In the UK, students can take out loans to cover tuition fees and living costs, with the amount depending on household income. Students in England and Wales will see tuition fees rise from £9,250 to £9,535 in the 2025/26 academic year, while those in Northern Ireland and Scotland will likely pay the same amount. Students from Scotland do not pay tuition fees if they attend a Scottish university, and Welsh students from low-income households can receive grants of up to £10,124 to study in London or up to £8,100 elsewhere in the UK. There are also additional grants for travel expenses, clinical placements, and students with disabilities.
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Tuition fee loans
Tuition fees in the UK are typically handled by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), which does not charge fees to "Young Students" or "Dependent Students". Young students are defined as those under 25 without dependent children, marriage, civil partnership, or cohabiting partners, and who have not been outside of full-time education for more than three years. For students outside of this definition, tuition fees are usually £1,820 for undergraduate courses for Scottish and Irish students, and £9,250 for students from the rest of the UK.
Full-time undergraduate students are eligible for tuition fee loans provided they meet certain criteria, including residency requirements and studying at a recognised publicly-funded university or college. Students can receive up to £9,535 for a Tuition Fee Loan if they are studying at an eligible university or college. If they are studying an accelerated degree course, they could receive up to £11,440. For Foundation Years, students could receive up to £5,760 or £9,535 depending on their course. Postgraduate healthcare students and distance learners are also eligible for tuition fee loans.
Welsh students have access to a means-tested loan system where those from the poorest households can be eligible for a grant of up to £10,124 if studying in London or up to £8,100 if studying elsewhere in the UK. Students from Scotland do not pay tuition fees if they are studying in Scotland, as they can apply for the home fees of £1,820 to be paid in full by the SAAS.
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Maintenance loans
In the UK, students can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help cover their living expenses while they study. This includes costs such as rent, food, books, travel, and other expenses. The loan is paid directly into the student's bank account at the start of each term, and students must reapply for the loan each year of their course. It is important to note that any loan received will need to be paid back after graduating and starting to pay the loans back.
The amount of Maintenance Loan a student can receive depends on various factors, including where they live, their household income, and the length of their course. For example, students who live in London will likely receive a higher loan amount to cover the higher cost of living in the city. Students from lower-income households will generally receive a higher loan amount, and those with higher household incomes may need to rely on gifts or loans from family or take on part-time work to supplement their maintenance loan.
Students can use the student finance calculator to estimate their maintenance loan amount. The maximum amount of Maintenance Loan is based on information about the student's household income. Students who receive state benefits and are entitled to means-tested funding may be eligible for an increased amount. Additionally, students in their final year of university or college will typically receive a smaller Maintenance Loan amount as student finance usually covers the breaks between each year.
In Scotland, 'young' students (under 25 before the start of the academic year) can receive a maximum maintenance loan of £9,400 for the 2024/25 academic year. However, if their household income is above £34,000 per year, the loan amount drops to £8,400. Students with a household income below £34,000 may also be eligible for a bursary of up to £2,000, which they do not need to pay back.
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Grants
In the UK, grants are available to students to help cover the cost of tuition fees and living expenses. These grants are offered by the government, universities, and charities, and they do not need to be repaid. Here is some information on the types of grants available to students in the UK:
Government Grants
The UK government offers financial support to students in the form of Tuition Fee Loans, Maintenance Loans, and Maintenance Grants. These grants are available to students who meet specific eligibility criteria, and the application process is usually done online through a student finance account. The amount of financial support provided depends on factors such as household income, study location, and course type. It is important to note that students must update their applications if their circumstances change, as changes can affect loan payments.
University Grants
Universities in the UK also provide financial support to students through scholarships, bursaries, and other funding opportunities. These grants are often awarded based on academic merit, extracurricular achievements, or specific subjects being studied. Universities may also offer reduced tuition fees or waivers for certain students, such as refugees or asylum seekers. Additionally, universities may provide financial support for students with dependent children or those with long-term illnesses, mental health problems, or physical disabilities.
Charity Grants
There are numerous charities and trusts in the UK that offer student grants for various reasons. These grants are typically set up to help specific groups of people, such as students with financial needs or those from particular backgrounds. One example is the social work bursary, which provides tax-free money or a salary while students train in social work.
Subject-Specific Grants
Some grants are available for students studying specific subjects. For example, medical or dental students may receive help with the costs of attending clinical placements in the UK. Additionally, students pursuing teaching may be eligible for funded courses to increase their subject knowledge if their degree is not in the subject they wish to teach.
International students can also find scholarship and grant opportunities to support their studies in the UK. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) provides information on scholarships, grants, and bursaries specifically for international students. Additionally, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) offers advice and funding opportunities for international postgraduate students.
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Interest rates
Students in the UK are charged interest on their loans from the day they take them out. The interest rate varies across the UK, and the terms and conditions can change after the loan has been borrowed. Interest rates also depend on the repayment plan. For instance, as of 2025, the interest rate is 7.8% for students on Plan 5. While studying, students are charged 7.3% interest.
The interest rate for students in England is usually set at the retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation. In 2024, this was 4.3%. Students who started university between 1998 and 2011 pay the Bank of England base rate plus 1% or RPI, whichever is lower. Students who started university before 1998 pay interest set at the RPI rate. As a result of changes in 2012, students who graduated in 2017 paid between 3.1% and 6.1% interest, despite the Bank of England base rate being 0.25%. In 2018, interest fees rose again to 6.3% for anyone who started studying after 2012.
In Wales, students used to be able to apply for fee grants of up to £5,190, in addition to a £3,810 loan to cover tuition fee costs. However, the Welsh Government changed this system, and students now have access to a means-tested loan system. Students from the poorest households can be eligible for a grant of up to £10,124 if studying in London or up to £8,100 if studying in the rest of the UK.
In Scotland, undergraduate tuition is free for the majority of Scottish students and £9,250 for other UK students. Scottish universities do not charge tuition fees to students from Scotland, as students can apply for the home fees of £1,820 (2025/26) to be paid in full by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
In Northern Ireland, students can borrow up to £6,776 if studying away from home (£9,492 if they go to London). The interest rate in Northern Ireland is 4.3%.
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Alternative funding
Students in the UK can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan if their course starts on or after 1 August 2016. The loan is paid directly to the university or college, and the student must pay it back. The amount of loan available depends on whether the student is studying full-time or an accelerated degree course. Students can also apply for tuition fee-only funding by completing a form and sending it by post.
There are also alternative funding options available for students who are unable to finance their education themselves. These include scholarships, grants, and bursaries. For example, female students over the age of 21 can apply for a bursary to attend any UK university. Student nurses, midwives, and other healthcare staff are entitled to bursaries of £4,500 to £5,500, with their course fees covered as well. Additionally, universities may offer their own grants or scholarships to students pursuing specific projects or activities.
Students from low-income households may be eligible for means-tested grants and loans. For example, the Welsh Government offers grants of up to £10,124 for students from the poorest households studying in London, and up to £8,100 for those studying elsewhere in the UK.
Students can also seek funding from external organisations, such as banks and companies. For instance, Santander bank partners with several universities to provide awards and funding. Additionally, students can apply for scholarships offered by companies like The Cordwainers and The Stationers' Company, which support specific fields of study.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, UK students pay university tuition fees. The fees are typically up to £9,250 per year, although they can be higher depending on the university and degree type. From August 2025, universities in England and Wales can charge up to £9,535 for a full-time degree.
Yes, there are some exceptions. Students in Scotland do not pay tuition fees if they are classified as "Young Students" or "Dependent Students" by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Welsh students may also be eligible for means-tested grants or loans to cover tuition fees. Students with disabilities may be able to receive additional funding through the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
UK students can apply for Tuition Fee Loans to help cover the cost of tuition. They can also apply for Maintenance Loans or Maintenance Grants to assist with living costs. These loans and grants are means-tested and depend on factors such as household income and where the student lives.
Yes, there are alternatives to taking out loans. Students can apply for fee waivers, which reduce tuition fees. They can also explore hardship funds if they are facing financial difficulties. Additionally, students who receive other public funding, such as an NHS bursary, may see a reduction in their student finance package.
