Tuition fees, maintenance loan, living costs and Plan 5 student loan repayment estimates for 2025/26
Enter your study details to estimate total tuition debt, maintenance loan, and living costs for your degree.
Plan 5: 9% above £25,000 threshold. Write-off after 40 years. Results are estimates.
| Nation / Situation | Tuition Fee (per year) | Max Maintenance Loan |
|---|---|---|
| England (home student) | £9,535 | Up to £13,022 (London) |
| Wales | £9,535 | Up to £12,150 (Wales Finance) |
| Scotland (studying in Scotland) | Free (SAAS funded) | £7,750 living cost loan |
| Northern Ireland | £4,710 | Up to £6,776 |
The headline tuition fee of £9,535/yr is only part of the picture. Most students borrow maintenance loan on top — and spend considerably more on living costs than the loan covers. For a typical 3-year English student living away from home outside London, the breakdown might look like this:
However, because Plan 5 uses income-contingent repayments and a 40-year write-off, most graduates will never repay the full amount. Research suggests the average English graduate repays substantially less than they borrowed. The “graduate premium” — the extra lifetime earnings from a degree — for most disciplines significantly exceeds likely total repayments.
For a 3-year degree starting in England in 2025/26, total tuition fees are up to £28,605 (3 × £9,535). Add maintenance loan (up to £13,022/yr for students in London) and estimated living costs and the total debt on graduation can easily reach £40,000–£60,000 or more depending on location and family income.
The maximum tuition fee for English universities in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year, up from £9,250. This applies to home students studying in England. Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish fee arrangements differ — Scottish students at Scottish institutions pay no tuition fees.
For 2025/26, maintenance loan rates depend on where you study and live. Students living away from home outside London can receive up to £10,227/yr. Students living away from home in London can receive up to £13,022/yr. The actual amount is means-tested against household income and reduces above around £25,000 household income.
Plan 5 applies to students starting undergraduate courses from August 2023 onwards in England. You repay 9% of income above the £25,000 threshold. The loan writes off after 40 years. Interest is charged at RPI + up to 3% during study, then RPI only after graduation.
You start repaying in the April after you graduate or leave your course, but only once your income exceeds the repayment threshold. For Plan 5, that threshold is £25,000. Repayments are taken automatically through PAYE if you are employed.
For Plan 5 (new 2023+ starters in England), the threshold is £25,000 gross annual income. If you earn £30,000, you repay 9% of £5,000 = £450/yr or £37.50/month. The threshold may be adjusted in future years.
No. Student loans do not appear on credit reference agency files and do not affect your credit score. They are also not included in standard affordability assessments for mortgages in the UK, though some lenders consider the monthly repayment when assessing affordability.
Any outstanding balance is written off after 40 years (Plan 5). You will never be chased for the debt — it is not like a commercial loan. Many graduates on average salaries will repay only a fraction of the total borrowed before write-off occurs.
Yes, for Scottish-domiciled students studying at a Scottish institution, tuition is funded by SAAS and the student pays no tuition fees. Students from elsewhere in the UK studying in Scotland are charged fees. Scottish students studying in England or Wales pay English/Welsh fee rates.
Living costs vary greatly. A rough guide for 2025/26: halls/accommodation £500–£1,200/month, food £150–£300/month, transport £30–£100/month. Total annual living costs typically range from £12,000 in lower-cost cities to £20,000+ in London.
The maintenance loan is assessed against household income — usually your parents’ combined income if you are a dependant student. If household income is under around £25,000 you receive the maximum loan. The amount reduces by roughly £1 for every £5.26 above that threshold, down to a minimum loan (approximately 25% of maximum).
Both routes have merit depending on your career goals. A degree apprenticeship gives you a degree plus work experience with no student debt and a salary while you learn. A traditional degree may offer more flexibility and social experience but results in significant debt. Consider salary potential, career sector, and personal fit.