Even though tuition fees have increased in recent years, find out why and how university is still affordable using our guide to university fees.
No fees to pay up front
Tuition fees for UK students are £9,535 per year from August 2025. This means that most students will graduate with a tuition fee ‘debt’ of £28,605 or more after three years of study.
But you won’t be expected to pay any tuition fees up front before you start university. And you won’t start paying anything back until you have a job and are earning above a certain salary. You can find out how much you'll repay on the Government website.
Student loans explained
Most students living in the UK choose to apply for a student loan. That means that the government agrees to pay your fees during your time at university.
FAQs about student finance
Repaying student loans
Don’t be put off by the size of the student debt you will graduate with. It’s probably more accurate to think of your outstanding student loan as a ‘graduate tax’ rather than a ‘debt’. A small amount that will be deducted from your salary every month for a portion of your working life.
Don’t be intimidated by the figures involved. Remember that you will never be asked to pay back any of your tuition fee or maintenance until the following April after you've finished your course. And you'll need to be in employment and earning more than the threshold per year. You can find out how much you'll repay on the Government website. Until this time, you won’t have to pay back anything.
Some important things to note
- You’ll notice that the size of your ‘student debt’ doesn’t affect how much they repay each month. The amount is determined by how much you earn.
- You won’t be chased for outstanding debt. If you become unemployed or your salary falls below the threshold then your repayments will automatically stop. They will restart when you earn above the threshold again.
- It’s true that student loans gain interest (which is currently above the rate of inflation) – but don’t be alarmed. Whatever happens, your debt will be written off after 30 years, regardless of how much you still owe. In fact, economists have predicted that the majority of students will never pay back their entire student loan.
- Student loans don’t affect your credit score. While lenders consider the repayments when assessing affordability, they typically don’t prevent you from getting a mortgage.
- Always remember that the costs of any student loan is likely to be offset by the increased employment opportunities. On average as a graduate, you'll enjoy a higher salary throughout your working life. Research carried out by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in 2020 showed that graduates will earn on average 20% more than non-graduates during their working life (GOV.UK website, published 29 February 2020).
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