Figures are for the 2026/27 academic year and students from England unless stated. Student finance rules differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check with your own student finance body.

Most UK students pay for university with a mix of student finance (loans for tuition fees and living costs) and other support such as bursaries, scholarships and grants. Whether you can get student finance depends on things like where you live, your residency status, any previous study and your course.

ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.

Student finance

There are four student finance bodies, depending on where you normally live:

• England: Student Finance England

• Wales: Student Finance Wales

• Scotland: the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)

• Northern Ireland: Student Finance NI

The support available is different in each nation.

Tuition fees

In England, you can borrow up to the full fee through a tuition fee loan. The loan is paid straight to your university or college and isn't based on household income.

Maintenance loan (living costs)

The maintenance loan helps with living costs. How much you can get depends partly on your household income. Maximum amounts for full-time students from England in 2026/27:

*For example, some lone parents and some disabled students.

The maintenance loan is paid into your bank account in three instalments, usually one at the start of each term. Your first payment usually arrives at the start of your course, as long as you applied on time and your university has confirmed your place.

When to apply

For 2026/27, the deadlines for new students to get their money in time for the start of the course were:

• England: 15 May 2026

• Wales: 29 May 2026

• Northern Ireland: 30 April 2026

You can still apply after the deadline, but your payments may be delayed. You need to apply again each year. You don't need a confirmed university place to apply, and you can update your course details later.

Applications for the Lifelong Learning Entitlement open in September 2026 for eligible courses starting on or after 1 January 2027. Funding arrangements depend on your course and circumstances.

How many years you can get funding for

Funding usually covers the length of your course, plus one extra year if you need it, minus any years of higher education you've already studied. You usually can't get a second tuition fee loan for a second undergraduate degree, although there are exceptions for some courses, such as some healthcare and teaching degrees.

Repaying your student loan

You start repaying from the April after you leave your course, and only once your income is above the threshold for your plan. Students from England who started an undergraduate course from August 2023 are on Plan 5. They repay 9% of their income above £25,000 a year (2026/27 threshold). Any amount still owed after 40 years is written off. Repayments are taken through your pay if you're employed.

Postgraduate study

For a master's degree starting in 2026/27, students from England can get a Postgraduate Master's Loan of up to £13,206. It's a contribution towards both fees and living costs and isn't based on household income. A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan of up to £31,122 is available for PhDs. Postgraduate loans are repaid at 6% of income above £21,000.

Bursaries

Bursaries are usually paid by universities to students from lower-income households or in particular circumstances, and you don't have to pay them back. They may be a cash payment or a discount on fees or accommodation. Check each university's website for what it offers and how to apply. Care leavers in England can also get a £2,000 higher education bursary from their local authority.

Scholarships

Scholarships are usually awarded for academic or other achievement, such as sport or music, and you don't have to pay them back. Universities list them on their websites. International students can search for scholarships through Study UK.

Grants from charities and trusts

Charities, trusts and other organisations offer grants to help particular groups attend university, such as people from certain areas, backgrounds or professions. Grants may have to be spent on specific things, such as books or equipment.

Benefits and student finance

Most full-time students can't claim Universal Credit, but some can, for example if they're responsible for a child or have a disability that limits their ability to work. The exception generally requires receipt of a qualifying disability benefit and a limited-capability-for-work determination before starting the course.

If you can claim, how your student funding is treated depends on the type:

• Tuition fee loans don’t count as income.

• Maintenance loans for living costs count. Your Universal Credit is based on the maximum maintenance loan you’re eligible for, even if you don’t apply for it or take less than the full amount. The yearly amount is divided across the monthly assessment periods during your course year.

• Postgraduate Master’s and Doctoral loans: usually only 30% of the loan counts as student income.

• Grants may count in some cases, depending on what they’re for.

When working out your student income, the first £110 in each monthly assessment period is ignored. Student income usually isn’t deducted in the assessment period that includes the first day of the summer holidays, in any later assessment period spent entirely on summer holiday, or in the period your course ends. See GOV.UK’s guidance on Universal Credit and students for how it’s calculated.

Most full-time students can't get Housing Benefit, with some exceptions. Check GOV.UK or ask your university's student support team.

Budgeting at university

Student finance may not cover all your costs, and the maintenance loan arrives once a term, so it needs to last until the next payment. Many universities offer money advice services and hardship funds for students who run short.

This article is for general information. Check the latest rules with your student finance body.