Student Finance England - Tuition Fee Loan

Tuition Fee Loan

You will receive a government loan to cover your tuition fees – up to 9,790 GBP per year (about 11,250 EUR) for a standard full-time degree programme in the 2026/27 academic year. The money goes directly to your university or college, not to you, and you can also borrow less than the maximum amount if you wish. Different maximum limits apply to different degree programmes. For an accelerated degree programme (a programme shortened to fewer years), up to 11,750 GBP is paid, and for a face-to-face foundation year, up to 5,760 GBP. The loan covers one academic year, so you will need to reapply for it for each year of your studies. It is provided by the UK government via ‘Student Finance England’.

This is a loan, not a grant, so you will need to repay it. You will only start repaying it once you have completed or withdrawn from your course, and as soon as your income exceeds a certain threshold: 29,385 GBP per year under Plan 2 or 25,000 GBP under Plan 5 for newly enrolled students. You will then repay 9% of your income that exceeds this threshold, and the debt will not affect your credit rating.

Who can apply

• Course level: You are starting your first higher education programme, such as a Bachelor’s degree, a Foundation Degree, an HNC, an HND or a teacher training programme.
• Where you study: You are studying at a recognised university or higher education institution in the United Kingdom, either full-time or part-time (at least 25% of a full-time course).
• Field of study: All subjects qualify.
• Age: No age limit.
• Residence: You are a British or Irish citizen, or have ‘Settled Status’, and usually live in England. People with certain other nationalities and residence statuses may also be eligible for the loan.
• No previous degree: If you already have a university degree, you may receive less, or nothing at all.
• Not for degree apprenticeships: These do not meet the requirements.

How to apply

Check on gov.uk to see if you are eligible, then set up an account with Student Finance England and submit your application online. If you are continuing with a course, you must register each year and submit a new application. If you are only eligible for the tuition fee loan and not for a living costs loan, submit your application by post instead. It takes around four weeks to process.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a merit-based scholarship, but rather an entitlement. If you meet the eligibility criteria regarding residence and course of study, you will receive the scholarship without having to go through a selection process or attend an interview. The only grounds for exclusion are if you already hold a higher education qualification or are undertaking a dual training programme. Please apply in good time before the start of your studies, as processing takes around four weeks.