Thomas White Loan Charity - Education Loan

Sir Thomas White Education Loan

You will receive a loan of interest-free loan of up to about EUR 11,500 (£10,000) to fund a postgraduate course anywhere in the world. You will not pay any interest at any stage. You will only start repaying the loan after 3 years and will then repay the amount in equal monthly instalments over 6 years, making the total term 9 years. The loan is provided by the Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, one of the oldest charitable organisations in Leicester, which was founded in 1542.

Who can apply

• Where you live: You live in Leicestershire or Rutland and have lived there for at least 3 years. (Residents of Northampton should contact the charity’s separate office in Northampton.)
• Age: On the day the trustees decide on your application, your figure will be above 18 and below 45.
• Level: You are applying for a postgraduate programme or are already enrolled on one; this is usually a Master’s programme (level 7) or a PhD programme (level 8). Medical students may apply in their 5 or 6 year of study; students on other medical degree programmes may only apply during their final two years of study.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Where you study: Every university in the world.
• No previous loan: You have never taken out an education or business loan from this charity before, nor have you ever taken out one that you have already repaid.
• Right to stay: You have the right to reside in the United Kingdom for the entire duration of the loan, which is 9 years.
• Clean record: At the time of your application, there are no active judgements from the Local Court (court orders requiring the settlement of a debt).
• State loan first: If you are eligible for a loan from Student Finance England, you must have applied for and been accepted for it, or explain why you are not eligible.
• Motivation: You can demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the degree programme and the associated career.

How to apply

First, contact the charity by telephone or via the form on the website to request the application documents, and then return the completed form. If you are shortlisted, you will have an online interview with a small group of trustees. The interviews take place via Zoom during the first two weeks of February, May, August or November. Application deadlines are approximately 4 to 6 weeks beforehand; the next deadlines are on 1 October 2026 and on 6 January 2027. If you are offered a loan, you will need guarantors to sign the loan agreement.

How realistic are your chances?

This loan is strictly tied to your place of residence: you must have lived in Leicestershire or Rutland for at least 3 years, which means the pool of applicants remains small. The charity tops up its funds every year, so you are not competing for a fixed pot, and it describes its success rate as high. If you meet the criteria regarding place of residence, age and academic performance, and can demonstrate a genuine commitment to your studies, your prospects are good.