Student finance
Student finance provides government-backed loans to cover tuition fees (paid directly to universities) and living costs (paid to students). The amount you receive for living costs depends on household income and where you study.
Student finance
Not sure how to pay for uni, or how you’ll cope during your studies? Don’t worry, there’s a wide range of support available for all sorts of circumstances.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are the charges universities and colleges set for teaching and providing courses. In the UK, the maximum fee for most undergraduate courses is capped by the government at £9,790 per year in England and Wales, with different limits in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Maintenance loans
Maintenance loans are government-backed loans paid to students to cover living costs like accommodation, food, and travel. They must be repaid after graduation when you earn above a threshold.
Maintenance grants
Maintenance grants in the UK were non-repayable financial awards provided by the government to help students from lower-income households cover living costs while studying at university. Unlike maintenance loans, grants did not need to be repaid.
If you're considering studying in England, it's important to understand how student finance works differnetly compares to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This guide breaks down the unique features of the English system and highlights what sets it apart.
If you're considering studying in Scotland, it's important to understand how student finance works differently compared to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This guide breaks down the unique features of the Scottish system and highlights what sets it apart.
If you're considering studying in 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.
If you're considering studying in Northern Ireland, it's important to understand how student finance works differently compared to England, Wales, and Scotland. This guide breaks down the unique features of the Northern Irish system and highlights what sets it apart.
How much are tuition fees and how are you going to pay for them?
You can get student finance to help towards your living costs while you’re at university or college.
Find scholarships, bursaries, and grants
Explore scholarships, bursaries, and grants matched to your background, achievements, or chosen course, and get support for your study and living costs.
Postgraduate fees vary a lot, and funding isn’t always straightforward. Here's the info you need, including funding options.
If you have children or an adult dependant, you may be able to get extra help.
As well as a student loan, there’s other financial support available from a range of sources. Find out more about funding your undergraduate course.
Find out what financial support you're eligible for.
Are you the parent or partner of someone applying for student finance? Here's everything you need to know.
Discover what financial options there are, how UK banking works, and about scholarships and bursaries.
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) scheme aims to ensure everyone has the support and adjustments they need to succeed during their studies.
If you decide to take a break or withdraw from your studies, here's what you need to do.
If you're going back to uni or repeating a year, find out how your previous study affects your student finance and whether you can get an extra year of funding.
An Advanced Learner Loan helps with the costs of further education courses.
If you're applying as an independent student, here's what you'll need to do to apply for student finance.
Going through Clearing?
If you’re going through Clearing after getting your exam results, it’s really important to let your student finance supplier know if your course, university, or college have changed. It could affect how much student finance you can get.
If you’re an EEA or Swiss national who is living and working in England, you could get the same student finance as a UK national.
If you have individual needs, support can be provided for additional costs in accessing equipment and other help you might need.