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Government loans and funding

Most UK students coming to uni for the first time can get government support for studying and living.

Types of funding

  • Tuition Fee Loan: First-time UK students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of tuition fees.
  • Maintenance Loan: Depending on household income, full-time students may be able to apply for a Maintenance Loan to help with living expenses while studying.
  • NHS Learning Support Fund: If you're a nursing or midwifery student, the NHS offers grants to help with the cost of placement travel and child care, which don't need to be paid back.
  • Extra help: You might qualify for extra help if you have children or dependent adults, or you have a disability.

Find out more and apply for funding (gov.uk)

The process

Applying: You don't need a confirmed place at university, or your exam results, to apply for most government funding, but your parents or supporters will need to provide details of their income.

It's best to apply early, as it can take some time to process the application. You'll need to reapply for loans each year of study.

Receiving: Tuition Fee Loans are paid directly to the University. Maintenance Loans are paid to you once we've confirmed your attendance, usually a few days after you've started your course.

In case your Maintenance Loan is late, make sure you have enough money to cover your living costs for the first few weeks of study.

Repaying: You don't start repaying your loans until you're earning over an annual income threshold. If you haven't repaid the loans within 40 years of leaving university, the debt will be written off.

Students from outside England

The loan rates and repayment processes are different if you're a student from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man. Find specific funding information for your region:

Students on placement

If you go on a year abroad, year in industry or placement year while studying, you can still apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the reduced fee for that year.

For placements and working abroad, you can typically get a reduced-rate Maintenance Loan. This is non-means tested and varies according to where you will be living. You can apply for full funding for a study abroad year.

If you are on a study or work placement abroad you may be eligible for a travel grant.

Loans are changing for students starting courses in January 2027 or later. Find out more about the lifelong learning entitlement (gov.uk).