Funding & Student Loans Company (SLC)
Using Student Loans Company (SLC)
Using Government Funding via Student Loans Company (SLC)
🎓 Undergraduate Students
To begin studying in the United Kingdom, students are required to cover tuition fees, which start from £6,165. This fee can either be paid by the student or funded through a Student Loans Company (SLC) tuition fee loan.
Eligibility: UK citizens and EU citizens with Pre-Settled or Settled Status are eligible to apply for:
- Tuition Fee Loan – to cover university tuition fees
- Maintenance Loan – to help with living costs (subject to eligibility)
Students may receive up to £13,348 as a Maintenance Loan and up to £3,800 in additional grants, depending on individual circumstances such as household income.
Note: The Tuition Fee Loan & Maintenance Loan must be repaid once the student graduates and begins earning more than £25,200/year (for courses starting in the 2023/24 academic year). Repayments are currently set at 9% of income above the threshold. Repayment starts only after graduation or once the student leaves the course. Grants do not need to be repaid.
🎓 Postgraduate Students
EU and UK students are also eligible for Postgraduate Loan Funding, subject to criteria and course delivery mode.
The funding allowance via Maintenance Loan is capped at £13,348 and is paid directly to the student’s bank account.
Postgraduate learners are required to establish a payment plan with their education provider and are responsible for covering any additional costs beyond the loan amount.
Self-funding
Tuition Fee Options
💡 Please note: The self-funding option (where you pay your own tuition fees) is only available for certain university partners for Home Students (subject to further credit agreements).
🌍 For international students: Covering more than 50% of tuition fees warrants a discounted tuition fee price (subject to availability & further terms and conditions).
Further funding options
There are also further funding options available for various university partners such as employer funding
Alternative Funding Options for Tuition Fees in the UK (Beyond Student Loans)
🎓 1. Scholarships & Bursaries
These do not need to be repaid and are awarded based on merit, financial need, or background.
- University Scholarships: Offered directly by institutions
- Government Scholarships: e.g. Chevening, GREAT Scholarships
- Subject-specific: Especially for STEM, arts, or medicine
- Nationality-based: Offered to students from certain countries
- Private Foundations: British Council, Wellcome Trust, etc.
💰 2. Grants and Charities
Charities offer non-repayable grants for tuition or living costs based on eligibility or hardship.
- Turn2us Grant Search – Find local and national charity funding
- The Prince’s Trust: For youth aged 16–30
- Specialist Trusts: e.g., Savoy Trust (Hospitality), Royal Television Society (Media)
🏛️ 3. Employer or Industry Sponsorship
Some students are funded by employers or professional bodies, especially in healthcare, education, and technical fields.
- NHS Bursaries: For nurses, midwives, allied health professionals
- Teacher Training Bursaries: Available for high-demand subjects like Maths & Physics
- Apprenticeships: Earn and learn with tuition paid by employer
💼 4. Part-Time Work & Placement Years
Many students work part-time or take paid placement years to fund tuition and living costs.
- Most international students can work up to 20 hours/week during term
- Placement years often include paid internships or industry experience
🌍 5. International Student Options
If you’re an international student:
- Your home country may offer scholarships or loans to study abroad
- Look for bilateral funding agreements (e.g., India-UK, China-UK)
📚 6. Postgraduate-Specific Funding
Additional options are available for postgrad students:
- UKRI Studentships: Funded PhD and Masters research (e.g., AHRC, ESRC)
- Teaching or Research Assistantships: Offered by universities
- Crowdfunding: Use platforms like GoFundMe or Hubbub