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Student finance in Wales
If you're from Wales, it's important to understand how student finance works differently compared to England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This guide breaks down the unique features of the Welsh system and highlights what sets it apart.
Tuition fees
Welsh students can get up to £9,790 for 2026/27 depending on how much the course costs.
You can apply for a tuition fee loan through Student Finance Wales (SFW) to cover the full cost of your tuition fees. This loan is paid directly to your university and is repayable with interest after you graduate.
Part-time students may be eligible for a part-time fee grant depending on their course intensity and household income.
Living costs: loans and grants
Wales provides a combination of loans and grants to help with living costs. How much you get depends on your household income and where you live and study.
Maintenance Loans (repayable)
Means-tested based on household income
Paid in three termly instalments, usually at the start of term
The amount you receive depends on where you live during term time
Welsh Government Learning Grant (non-repayable)
Wales offers the Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) for Further Education students – a non-repayable maintenance grant based on household income:
Universal minimum: Every Welsh Further Education student receives at least £1,020
Maximum grant: Up to £10,325 for students from lower-income households
The more grant you receive, the smaller your loan allowance
Maximum maintenance support
Living Situation | Maximum Total Support | Composition |
|---|---|---|
Away from home (studying outside of London) | £12,590 | Loan and grant combination |
Living at home | £10,685 | Loan and grant combination |
| Away from home (studying in London) | £15,720 | Loan and grant combination |
How to apply
See below for a step-by-step guide on how to apply via Student Finance Wales.
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1
Check your eligibility
To qualify for Welsh student finance, you generally need to be living in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of your course, you’ve been living in the UK and Islands for three years before starting your course. Other criteria for eligibility include citizenship and settlement status.
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2
Apply to Student Finance Wales
Submit your application to Student Finance Wales (SFW). You can start this process before receiving a university offer. Apply by the stipulated deadline to ensure you get your money in time before the start of the course.
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3
Provide financial information and identification
Your funding will be means-tested using your household income. This determines:
How much Welsh Government Learning Grant you'll receive
How much maintenance loan you're eligible for
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4
Receive your funding
Tuition Fee Loan: Paid directly to your university
Maintenance support: Paid in three instalments throughout the academic year (beginning, middle, and end of term)
Part-time students Wales
Part-time students may be eligible for support depending on their course intensity (usually studying at least 25% of a full-time equivalent course). Support available includes tuition fee loans and maintenance grants based on household income.
Studying abroad Wales
If studying abroad is a compulsory part of your course, you may be eligible for support including:
Tuition fees (if charged)
Living cost support
Travel grants for certain costs
Repaying your loan
Welsh students repay under either Plan 2 (for those who started their course on or after 1 September 2012) or Plan 1 (for those who started before 1 September 2012).
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
DSA helps cover some of the extra study-related costs you may incur due to an impairment, mental health condition or learning difference. It's non-repayable and in addition to other student finance.
Additional support
Wales offers several supplementary grants and support for specific circumstances:
Welsh-Medium Study
Students studying through the medium of Welsh can access additional funding from Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. This organisation provides scholarships and incentives to encourage Welsh-medium higher education.
Other support available:
Special support payment: Extra financial support for students on certain income-related benefits
Disabled Students' Allowances: To cover some of the extra costs because of a mental health condition, long term illness or other disability
Childcare Grant: For undergraduate students with childcare costs
Parents' Learning Allowance: For undergraduate students with dependent children
Adult Dependants' Grant: For undergraduate students supporting an adult dependent
Glossary: Welsh student finance terms
Student Finance Wales (SFW)
The government body that administers student finance for Welsh students.
Maintenance Grant
Non-repayable grant forming part of living cost support (minimum £1,000 for all students).
Partial Loan Cancellation
Unique Welsh scheme that cancels up to £1,500 from loan balance when first repayment is made.
Fee Grant
Non-repayable grant that covered tuition fees above £3,900 (for students starting before 2018).
Special Support Payment
Extra financial support for students on certain income-related benefits.
Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol
Organisation offering additional funding for students studying through Welsh medium.