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    Tuition Fee Loans

    If you're studying an undergraduate course, you could get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the cost of the fees charged by your university or college.

    What's on this page?

    Starting a course between 31 August 2026 and 31 December 2026

    If you’re starting a full-time undergraduate course between 31 August 2026 and 31 December 2026, you can apply for student finance from late March 2026.

    Starting a course on or after 1 January 2027

    If you’re starting a higher education course on or after 1 January 2027, you can apply for student finance from September 2026.
     

    You’ll need to repay any loans you borrow, but not until you’ve finished or left your course, and your income is over the repayment threshold.

    Part-time students do not have to repay their loans until the April four years after the start of their course, or the April after they finish or leave their course, whichever comes first.

    What's available?

    Most students won’t have to pay for tuition fees up front – you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to pay your fees.

    How much you can get depends on:

    • how much your university or college charges
    • whether you’re studying at a publicly or privately funded university or college
    • when you started your course
    • your course intensity (part-time students)

    Full-time students

    You could get a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,790 if you're studying at an eligible university or college. If you're studying an accelerated degree course, you could get up to £11,750.

    If you're not sure if a course qualifies for student finance, check with the university or college.

    Part-time students

    You can get a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £7,145.

    Private universities or colleges may charge more than this. If they do, it's up to you to pay the difference.

    Eligibility

    Whether you can get student finance depends on your:

    • personal circumstances
    • course
    • course intensity (part-time students)
    • uni or college
    • nationality or residency status

    Find more details about eligibility on the GOV.UK website.

    How to apply

    New students

    It’s important to apply as soon as possible so your funding is in place for starting your course.

    1. Set up a student finance account
      When you register, you’ll be given a unique Customer Reference Number, and will need to create a password and secret answer. You should keep these safe, as you’ll need them to log in to your account to check the progress of your application, and reapply for student finance next year.
    2. Fill in and submit your application
      The first time you apply, you’ll be asked for proof of identity. You can easily do this by providing your valid UK passport details. If you don’t have a UK passport, you may have to send evidence.
      If you want to apply for student finance that depends on your household income, Student Finance England will ask your parents or partner for their National Insurance number, and their personal income details.
      You will also need the following information to complete your finance application:
      • course start date
      • bank account details
      • National Insurance number – don't worry if you don't know your National Insurance number, or where to find it. HMRC has made it quick and easy to find this information – all you have to do is register your details. This means you no longer have to contact HMRC directly to obtain your National Insurance number
    3. Submit any evidence you're asked for
      Student Finance England may contact you, or your parents/partner, to ask for evidence to support your application. If you’ve had no contact with your parents for over a year, you might be able to apply as an ‘independent student’.

    Tuition fee only students

    If you qualify for tuition fee only funding, application forms are available to download on the GOV.UK website. 

    Continuing students

    How it's paid

    You need to register at your university or college before Student Finance England can make your first payment. You’ll usually do this in the first week of your course, and you may have to show them your student finance notification of entitlement.

    Your Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to your university or college in three instalments during the academic year.

    When are payments made to your uni or college?How much is paid to your uni or college?
    At the start of term one25% of the tuition fee
    At the start of term two25% of the tuition fee
    At the start of term three50% of the tuition fee

    Evidence

    Proof of identity

    Include your valid UK passport details in your application the first time you apply. If you don’t have a UK passport, you may have to send Student Finance England evidence, such as a non-UK passport, or a copy of your UK birth or adoption certificate.

    Non-UK nationals

    The following documents can be accepted:

    • Non-UK passport
    • National identity card
    • Biometric residency card
    • Biometric residency permit

    If you’re an Irish citizen and you don’t hold a UK passport, you need to send your original valid ROI passport as proof of identity.
     

    Changing your details

    Before your initial course start date: Tell Student Finance England about any changes by filling in a ‘Change of Circumstances’ form, which you can download from download from the GOV.UK website. 

    After your course start date: Ask your university or college to tell Student Finance England about any of the following changes:

    • your tuition fee amount
    • your course details
    • your course intensity
    • you repeat a year
    • you leave higher education
    • you suspend your studies
    Students chatting outside campus building

    Guide to Student Finance England

    If this is your first time applying, you can use Student Finance England’s guide to help you understand how student finance works.

    Go to Student Finance England guide