Undergraduate Fees and Funding
Fees and Funding Explained
For eligible UK or EU undergraduates going to university for the first time, there is a range of scholarships and bursaries, and there are no tuition fees to pay up front. Most Universities, UK and EU student tuition fees for 2018 and 2019 undergraduate entry are £9,250 per year full-time or £77 per credit point for part-time study.
Most UK and EU students cover the cost of full-time fees by applying for a Tuition Fee Loan. If you apply and meet the eligibility requirements, the Student Loans Company will pay this loan directly to the University of your choice to cover your tuition fees. You do not start to make repayments against this loan until you finish your studies and are earning at least £25,000 a year. Repayments depend on how much you earn once you graduate, regardless of what you borrow.
Further information about tuition fees, loans, repayment, and our range of scholarships and bursaries:Tuition Fees
New full-time undergraduates from the UK or EU who qualify for a student loan do not pay tuition fees upfront. These costs are covered by the tuition fee loan provided by the Student Loans Company.
If you apply for a tuition fee loan and meet the requirements, the Student Loans Company (SLC) will pay your tuition fees.
New students do not have to pay anything until they finish their studies and are earning at least £25,000 a year. Repayments are made at the rate of 9% of income above £25,000. A graduate earning £27,000 a year would repay approximately £3.75 a week.
You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan towards your living costs while you study, the amount of which will depend on your household income.
The University undergraduate tuition fee may increase year on year in line with government policy. This will enable the universities to continue to provide the best possible educational facilities and student experience.
In 2018/19 and 2019/20, tuition fees for most universities will be £9,250 for new and returning UK/EU students.
The fees system and available funding differs, for part-time and international students.
Tuition fee loans
UK undergraduate students are eligible for a loan to cover the total cost of tuition fees from the Student Loans Company, as are most EU students.
A Maintenance Loan can help support full-time UK students with living costs during their degree, some of which will be available to all eligible students, and some of which is dependent on household income. This will be added to the tuition fee loan and repaid in the same process.
Please check that you are eligible to pay UK/EU fees by visiting www.gov.uk/get-undergraduate-student-loan
How Your Loan is Repaid
You only start paying back your tuition fee loan once you have graduated* and are earning above £25,000*. Repayments are made at the rate of 9% of income above £25,000*. For example, a graduate earning £27,000 a year would repay approximately £3.75 a week.
| # | Earnings | Annual repayment | Monthly repayment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £20,000 | Nothing | Nothing |
| 2 | £23,000 | Nothing | Nothing |
| 3 | £25,000 | Nothing | Nothing |
| 4 | £27,000 | £180 | £15.00 |
| 5 | £30,000 | £450 | £37.00 |
| 6 | £40,000 | £1,350 | £112.00 |
| 7 | £50,000 | £2,250 | £187.00 |
Part-time Students
New part-time students can apply for a non means-tested Tuition Fee Loan of up to £6,935 (for the 2017/18 academic year), depending upon the actual tuition charge for their course. Students have to be studying at an intensity of at least 25% of a full-time equivalent course. Part-time students who earn over £25,000* a year have to start paying back their loans after four years even if their course hasn't finished.
*£25,000 repayment threshold is applicable to new students commencing their study in 18/19 continuing students will still be subject to the £21,000 repayment threshold.
Changes in Circumstances
Students should report all changes of income or family circumstances to the Student Loans Company (SLC).
» If your course, income or family circumstances change after you apply for student finance, you need to let the Student Loans Company know as it may affect what you’re entitled to.
» If you want to make any changes to your student finance application, login to your online account and select ‘change your application’.
» Any changes you make will mean SLC have to re-assess your application.
» Most changes take at least 6 weeks to process. However some changes will be processed within 48 hours – check your online account for updates.
» SLC will contact you by post once your changes have been approved.
Government Maintenance Loan
Full-time students can apply for a Maintenance Loan of up to £8,430 (for the 18/19 academic year) to help with living costs. Maintenance Loans are paid into your bank account at the start of each term.
From 18/19 new part-time students can also apply for a Maintenance Loan.
The exact amount students can borrow depends on
• Your family’s income
• Where you live
• What year of study you’re in
• The course you will be studying
• If you are studying full time or part-time.
Scholarships and bursaries
Most universities in the UK understand the importance of investing in your future and they want to ensure that they are able to provide as much financial assistance as possible to students. When you apply to any university make sure you check the scholarship and bursary section of their website as they have a wide number of scholarships and bursariesavailable to help you study with them.
How You Study as an Undergraduate
Whichever course you study, at the University of your choice you can benefit from specialist technology and a variety of innovative teaching methods, such as lectures from leading academics with international reputations in their field, seminar discussions with your peers, one-to-one time with your tutor, opportunities to work with academics on real research projects, hands-on practical workshops, and extracurricular skills development programmes.