Undergraduate student loans

A Tuition Fee Loan is available from the UK government via the Student Loans Company (SLC) to UK undergraduate students, giving you the opportunity to borrow up to the full cost of your tuition fees. The latest information on tuition fee rates can be found on our tuition fee for undergraduates webpage. If you take out a Tuition Fee Loan the money is paid directly to the University to pay your tuition fees. 

When planning for university you need to think about how you will meet your living expenses, for example the cost of your accommodation, travel, food, bills, study materials and other day-to-day spending. In order to cover these costs, the government provides support in the form of a Maintenance Loan, which is paid directly to the student in instalments.

This loan is only available to UK undergraduate students. A certain percentage of the loan (around 44%-47%, depending on where you choose to live during term time) is available without any means-testing. The remaining percentage of your maintenance loan will be means tested based on your household income. This will be your parents’ or guardians' income if you’re under 25 and depend on them financially, or your income if you are over 25 or an estranged student. If you are living with your partner then their income may also be included. For the 2023/24 academic year, the 2022/2023 tax-year income will be used.

• Up to £9,706 in total will be available if you are living away from home and outside London.
• Up to £8,171 in total will be available if you are living at home.

For further details, visit the gov.uk website. You can also use the student finance calculator to estimate your Maintenance Loan.

In early 2023 you should apply for your funding online via the gov.uk student finance page. You should ensure that you apply to the relevant SLC agency for your area in which you normally reside.

In order to ensure that the first instalment of your funding enters your account at the start of the academic year, you must apply by late May in the case of new students and late June in the case of continuing students. Please check the SFE Facebook page to confirm the exact deadline dates.

To receive all the money you are entitled to and at the earliest opportunity, it's really important that you supply all the evidence requested by the relevant deadlines and give consent to share your financial details with the University. This will enable us to determine your eligibility for a Chamberlain Award.

You’ll usually only be entitled to receive student finance if you’re doing your first higher education qualification, even if your previous course was self-funded or you studied abroad. There are some exceptions to this rule, with certain subject areas permitting limited access to funding for a second degree. You can learn more on the government website.

From the date you take out loan(s) you will be charged interest at the rate of inflation (RPI) plus 3%. Once you have graduated or otherwise left the University you will be charged interest at:

• the rate of inflation (if you are earning less than £27,295)
• the rate of inflation plus up to 3% (if you are earning between £27,296 and £49,130)
• the rate of inflation plus 3% (if you are earning above £49,130)

For further information about interest rates on student loans, please visit the repayment web pages on the gov.uk website.

You will only start repaying your loan(s) in the April after you leave University and are in work, earning over £2,274 per month (before tax and other deductions). Repayments will be 9% of your income above this threshold, so the amount repaid each month will depend on your earnings. If for any reason your income falls below £2,274 per month, your repayments will be suspended.

The example given on the government website is as follows:

Your annual income is £28,800 and you are paid a regular monthly wage. This means that each month your income is £2,400 (£28,800 divided by 12). This is over the Plan 2 monthly threshold of £2,274.

Your income is £126 over the threshold (£2,400 minus £2,274). You will pay back £11 (9% of £126) each month.

Unless you are self employed, repayments are deducted automatically from your pay through the tax system (PAYE). If you have not paid off your loan after 30 years, all outstanding repayments will be written off. For further information on the repayment process, please visit the repayment web pages on the gov.uk website.

If you live in Wales a maximum tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 is available which will be paid directly to your university or college. Maintenance Loans are available for living costs up to £9,710 (for a student living away from home and outside London) and a grant of up to £8,100 is available for students from lower-income backgrounds. Please visit Student Finance Wales for more information.

If you live in Northern Ireland a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 will be available for full-time Northern Irish students studying in the rest of the UK. Loans and grants for living costs will also be available. Please visit Student Finance NI for more information.

If you live in Scotland a tuition fee loan of £9,250 will be available. Bursaries and loans may also be available to cover your living costs; for full details please visit the SAAS website.

For courses starting in 2022/23, EU students will not be eligible for SLC funding unless they have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Irish citizens do not need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme. Please visit the government website for more details.

If you are an international student you will not be eligible for any financial assistance from the UK government. You will need to contact your home country to determine if there is any financial support available. Additionally, please visit our international fees and funding web page for further information about the scholarships offered by the University.