Maintenance loans are available to all students

Northern Ireland

For students who live in Northern Ireland and choose to study at a Nortern Irish course provider, the maximum tuition fee is capped. If you choose to study elsewhere in the UK, the costs will be higher. You can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the yearly course costs wherever in the UK you choose to study.

Students can apply for a maintenance grant, and eligible students can also receive a maintenance grant or Special Support Grant.

Scotland

Students from Scotland and the EU (excluding England, Wales, or Northern Ireland) can study for free in Scotland the Scottish government pays the yearly course fee on behalf of the student.

Scottish students who wish to study elsewhere in the UK will be charged the standard tuition fees for their chosen course provider, but may apply for a tuition fee loan.

Be aware that most Scottish undergraduate degrees take four years to complete, as opposed to three years in the rest of the UK, so this can impact the size of your student loan. For more information, refer to the SAAS guidelines.

Wales

Students from Wales can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of an undergraduate degree anywhere in the UK.

Eligible students can receive money towards the cost of accomodation and living costs, and some may also be able to apply for an additional means-tested maintenance grant.

EU and international students

Your eligibility for student finance will depend on where you plan to study, and whether you are from the EU or outside of the EU.

Finance for part-time study

You may still be eligible for a student loan if you’re studying part-time. Student Finance England offers loans to students on courses with a course intensity’ of 25% or higher this is measured by how much of your course you’ll complete each year compared to a full-time student.

• You’ll need to apply to Student Finance England directly for your loan.
• Part-time Tuition Fee Loans are not means tested so you’ll be eligible to apply regardless of your income, and whether or not you are currently employed.
• There’s no age limit.
• The earliest you’ll be asked to start repaying your loan is either the April after your course finishes, best payday loans Raleigh or the April four years after your course begins (whichever comes first).
• Repayments are linked to your income after graduating meaning that you’ll only start paying your loan back when you earn more than the income threshold, which is currently ?25,725.
• You repay 9% of what you earn over ?25,725 for example, if you earn ?26,000, you’ll only repay ? per year (9% of ?275).
• Or if you earn ?30,000, you’ll pay back ? per year (9% of ?4,275).
• Repayments are taken by your employer automatically, through the UK tax system.

How is student finance calculated?

It is means-tested, and based on your household income. As a mature student, there a number of factors that could affect this, such as dependents, employment, and a partner’s earnings. SFE have set up a calculator to help clarify what you could be entitled to.

Scholarships and bursaries

Many universities and colleges offer scholarships or bursaries. Check out their individual websites or speak to student services directly (either call or during an open day/visit) for more information, or use the Scholarship Hub.

Other grants and support

Extra support for applicants with invididual needs , and for those with children and dependants may also be available , such as the Parents’ Learning Allowance, Childcare Grant, Adult Dependants’ Grant, Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs) , and others.