Student finance is changing. If your course starts on or after 1 January 2027, check what you could get under the new system.
Quick facts
- Tuition Fee Loan 2026/27
- Up to £9,790
- Living with parents
- Up to £9,118
- Away, outside London
- Up to £10,830
- Away, in London
- Up to £14,135
- Extra grants
- Usually not repaid
Tuition Fee Loan
Your university or college sets your tuition fee, and the loan is paid directly to them. You have to pay it back.
- Full-time student, 2026 to 2027: up to £9,790
- Accelerated degree course, 2026 to 2027: up to £11,750
Maintenance Loan
You have to give details of your household income and your course start date.
The loan is paid directly into your bank account at the start of each term. You have to pay the loan back.
The maximum amount you can get depends on where you live. For 2026 to 2027:
- Living with your parents: up to £9,118
- Living away from your parents, outside London: up to £10,830
- Living away from your parents, in London: up to £14,135
- If you’re 60 or over on the first day of the first academic year of your course: up to £4,582
If you’re a care leaver, your household income will not be used to calculate your Maintenance Loan from the academic year 2026 to 2027. You can choose to borrow the maximum amount.
Paying it back
When you start to repay your loan, the size of your monthly repayments will depend on how much you earn, not what you owe.
You’ll be charged interest on the loan from the day you take it out.
Student loans do not appear on credit reports and do not affect your credit score.
Extra help you do not usually repay
You may be able to get extra financial help, for example, if you’re on a low income, are disabled or have children, such as a grant or allowance.
You do not usually need to pay back this extra financial help.
Estranged students and care leavers
If you’re under 25 and have no contact with your parents, you might be able to apply through UCAS as an ‘estranged student’.
If you spent at least 13 weeks in the care of your local authority before you turned 16, you might be able to apply through UCAS as a care leaver.
Students from Northern Ireland apply differently: see student finance in Northern Ireland.
Common questions
How much is the Tuition Fee Loan in 2026/27?
Up to £9,790 for a full-time student, or up to £11,750 on an accelerated degree.
How much Maintenance Loan can I get?
For 2026/27, up to £9,118 living with parents, £10,830 away from home outside London, or £14,135 in London.
When do I start paying it back?
Not until you’ve finished or left your course and you earn over a certain amount.
Does a student loan affect my credit score?
No. Student loans do not appear on credit reports and do not affect your credit score.