UK Government - Tuition Fee Loan

Tuition Fee Loan (England)

You will receive a government loan that fully covers your tuition fees, up to an amount of approximately 11,000 EUR per year (up to 9,535 GBP for a standard full-time degree programme in 2025/26 or up to 11,440 GBP for a fast-track degree programme). The money goes directly to your university, not to you, so your tuition fees are paid before you even get your hands on the money. It comes from ‘Student Finance England’, a UK government agency. Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria receives the full amount of their tuition fees, with no means test. You do have to repay the money, but only after you have completed or withdrawn from your course, and only once your income exceeds a set threshold (currently 25,000 GBP per year under the 5 scheme). Repayments amount to 9% of your income above this threshold and stop automatically as soon as your income falls below it.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are studying on an eligible course at a recognised British university or higher education institution.
• Course type: Your degree programme leads to an initial higher education qualification, such as a Bachelor’s degree, a ‘Foundation Degree’, an HNC, an HND or an integrated Master’s programme. Part-time degree programmes will be recognised if you are studying at a level of at least 25%. Vocational training programmes will not be recognised.
• First degree: The loan is generally intended to fund your first higher education degree. Exceptions are made for certain subjects and courses of study in the healthcare sector.
• Nationality and residence: You are a British or Irish citizen, or have ‘Settled Status’, and live in England. People of other nationalities may be able to obtain a loan to cover their tuition fees, depending on their residence status.
• Age: There is no upper age limit.
• Subject: Any subject qualifies.

How to apply

You apply via Student Finance England: online if you are also eligible for a living costs loan, or by post if you are only eligible for the tuition fee loan. Apply for the loan by 31 May for courses starting between August and December, by 30 September for courses starting between January and March, by 31 December for courses starting between April and June, and by 31 March for courses starting in July. You do not need a confirmed place at university to apply, and you must reapply each academic year.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a means-tested grant. It is an entitlement, which means that if you meet the residence and study requirements, you will receive the grant. There is no selection process and no means test; therefore, whether you receive the grant depends on you submitting your application correctly and on time. Apply for the grant well in advance: if you only submit your application shortly before your studies begin, this may mean that you initially receive only the minimum amount and the remainder later on.