UK Student Finance (Student Loans Company / Student Finance England)

What UK Student Finance gives you

This is the UK government's official student loan system for people studying at universities and colleges in England. It is run by Student Finance England, part of the Student Loans Company. It is a loan, not a grant: you borrow money now and pay it back later. You only start repaying once you earn above a set income, and only as a share of what you earn. There are two loans. The Tuition Fee Loan covers your course fees and goes straight to your university. It pays up to about EUR 11,000 (£9,535) a year for full-time study in 2025/26, rising to about EUR 11,300 (£9,790) in 2026/27, and more for accelerated degrees. The Maintenance Loan is paid into your own bank account to help with living costs. The amount depends on where you live and your household income. In 2025/26 it runs up to roughly EUR 10,200 (£8,877) if you live with your parents, up to about EUR 12,100 (£10,544) if you live away from home outside London, and up to about EUR 15,800 (£13,762) in London.

Depending on your situation you may also get extra money you never repay. This can include a Childcare Grant, a Parents' Learning Allowance, a Disabled Students' Allowance, or bursaries for nursing, medicine, social work and teacher training.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You study at a recognised university or college in England.
• Type of course: You take an undergraduate course such as a Bachelor's degree, foundation degree, HNC/HND, teacher training or an integrated Master's. Degree apprenticeships do not qualify.
• Previous study: Usually only your first higher-education qualification is funded. A second degree gets limited funding, mainly in fields like medicine, engineering, computing, maths and sciences.
• Nationality and residence: For both loans you have UK, Irish or settled status, normally live in England, and have lived in the UK for three years before your course starts. Others, including some EU citizens, may get the Tuition Fee Loan only. Check your status with the online eligibility checker.
• Home nation: This system is for students in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own separate schemes.
• Age: There is no upper age limit for the Tuition Fee Loan. From age 60 the Maintenance Loan is more limited.
• Income: The full Maintenance Loan depends on your household income. The Tuition Fee Loan does not.

How to apply

First check your eligibility. If you qualify for both loans, set up a Student Finance online account and apply online. If you qualify for the Tuition Fee Loan only, you apply by post instead. You reapply for each year of your course. Processing takes about four weeks, so apply early.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a competitive scholarship. It is an entitlement, so if you meet the residency and course rules you get the funding rather than being judged against other applicants. The main thing to confirm is your eligibility, especially the three-year UK residence rule and whether you count as a Home student in England. Apply early, since processing takes about four weeks before your course starts.