This guidance is for current and new undergraduate students who will be studying in September 2026. It does not normally apply to International students or those studying on a Student visa.
Important update: Funding changes from January 2027
From January 2027, students starting an undergraduate degree will need to apply for funding through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). The LLE is a new government system designed to give learners more flexible access to higher level study throughout their lives. You can find more information about the LLE on GOV.UK.
What this means if you’re starting a course in September 2026
If you begin your undergraduate course before January 2027, including September 2026 starters, you will remain on the current student finance system for the entire duration of your course. You will not move on to the LLE at any point during your studies.
Students who start their course from January 2027 onwards will be funded under the new LLE system.
Continuing students will also stay on the current system and will not be transferred to the LLE.
EU/EEA nationals and family members should also visit our EU, EEA and Swiss students page.
The following information outlines the funding available from Student Finance England (SFE) for full-time undergraduate courses, eligibility rules and how to apply.
If your home is in another part of the UK, visit one of the following instead:
What funding is available?
SFE offers a range of support for eligible students, including:
- Tuition Fee Loan (up to £9,535)
- Maintenance Loan for living costs
- Additional grants for students with dependent children or adults
- Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
All funding is subject to meeting SFE eligibility rules.
Situations that may affect your eligibility:
- You already hold a degree level qualification – see the previous study section below.
- You have lived outside the UK/EEA/Switzerland during the last three years.
- You are awaiting a Home Office immigration decision.
- You have limited or discretionary leave to remain.
- You are a non UK/EU national with a UK/EU family member.
- You have previously attended higher education (completed or not).
Contact Student Advice before you start your course if any of the above apply.
Help to pay tuition fees
A Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,535 is available from Student Finance England (SFE) to cover your course fees, provided you meet the SFE eligibility criteria. The loan is paid directly to the University in three instalments across the academic year and must be repaid after your studies.
This loan is not based on household income, so your income or your family’s income will not affect the amount you can receive.
If you choose not to take the full Tuition Fee Loan or decide not to apply for it at all, you will need to pay any remaining tuition fees to the University yourself. If you later change your mind, you can request an increase to the amount of loan you originally applied for if you do so within nine months of the start of your academic year.
Help with living and study costs
This section outlines the Maintenance Loan and additional grants available for students starting their course in September 2026. You must meet the Student Finance England (SFE) eligibility rules to receive this support.
Maintenance Loan
The Maintenance Loan helps with your day-to-day living and study costs. It is paid directly to you in three instalments - one at the start of each term. This loan must be repaid.
For students starting in September 2026, the maximum amounts are:
- £14,135 if you live away from your parents’ home
- £9,118 if you live with your parents
Final year students receive a slightly lower rate of £13,096 and £8,579.
Higher Rate Maintenance Loan
You may qualify for a higher rate of Maintenance Loan if any of the following apply:
- You are a parent, foster parent, or have a student partner and are responsible for a child or young person under 20 in full-time non-HE education or approved training.
- You have a disability and receive the Disability Premium or Severe Disability Premium.
- You previously took time out of your course due to illness or caring responsibilities.
- You are deaf and receive Disabled Students’ Allowance.
- You have been assessed as incapable of work for at least 28 weeks.
- You receive income related Employment and Support Allowance.
- You are aged 60 or over on the first day of your course.
- You receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
If eligible, the maximum higher-rate loan is:
- £15,415 if living away from parents
- £10,757 if living with parents
Final year students receive a lower rate. Students in these groups may also be able to claim certain benefits - see our Benefits page for more details.
Household income assessment
Part of the Maintenance Loan is based on your household income. If your household income is too high for the full loan, or if you choose not to provide income details, you can still receive a minimum loan:
- £7,039 if living away from parents
- £4,013 if living with parents
For more information, visit:
Additional grants
You may also be eligible for grants that do not need to be repaid.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
DSA helps cover additional study related costs arising from a disability. The amount varies depending on your needs. See our Disability funding page or visit Student Finance England for details.
Grants for students with dependants
These grants are based on household income and the level of financial dependence. They are paid directly to you in three instalments each term. The assessment for these grants is separate from the Maintenance Loan assessment.
Available grants include:
- Parents’ Learning Allowance – up to £2,024
- Childcare Grant – covers up to 85% of Ofsted registered childcare costs
- Maximum: £199.62 per week for one child
- Maximum: £342.24 per week for two or more children
- Always keep receipts in case SFE requests evidence
- Adult Dependants’ Grant – up to £3,545 for an adult who is financially dependent on you (eg a partner with little or no income)
For full details, visit Student Finance England.
Previous study and how it affects your funding
Your previous higher education study can affect the amount of funding you can receive from Student Finance England (SFE).
If you already hold a higher-level qualification
If you already have a qualification that is equivalent to or higher than a UK Honours degree, you will normally not be eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan or a Maintenance Loan for a new undergraduate course. This applies whether you studied in the UK or overseas.
If you started or completed a lower-level qualification
If you previously completed a qualification below Honours level—such as an Ordinary degree, HND or HNC—or you started but did not finish a full-time higher education course, the number of years you can receive a Tuition Fee Loan for will be reduced. You will remain eligible for the Maintenance Loan and any additional grants.
If you previously studied part-time
If you studied part-time and did not obtain a qualification, this will not affect your funding for a new full-time course.
Grants not affected by previous study
Additional grants for dependants and disability are not affected by any previous study.
Exceptions
There are specific exceptions for:
- MArch (RIBA Part II) students
- Students starting a new architecture degree
See our Previous study page or contact Student Advice for guidance.
If you are not eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan
If SFE cannot award you a Tuition Fee Loan for some or all of your course, you will need to pay your tuition fees yourself.
Nationality, residence and immigration requirements
To receive a Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Loan or additional grants, you must meet Student Finance England’s rules on nationality, residence, and immigration status. In most cases, this means having three or five years of ordinary residence in the UK, EEA or Switzerland before your course begins, and this residence must not have been mainly for the purpose of education. SFE will normally ask for evidence of this.
Examples of eligibility routes
- UK nationals must have lived in the UK for at least three consecutive years before 1 September and be living in England on that date.
- EU nationals must have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme by 1 September and be resident in England on that date to receive full funding.
- EU/EEA migrant workers (or their family members) do not need settled status but must hold pre-settled status and be working in England.
- EU nationals applying for the EU Tuition Fee Loan do not need three years of UK residence, but must have lived in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland for three years before 1 September and hold pre-settled status.
- Students who start their course with pre-settled status and later gain settled status may become eligible for the Maintenance Loan, depending on when the status is granted.
- Non-UK/EU/EEA nationals aged 18+ may need to show they have lived in the UK for over half their life or at least 20 years before 1 September.
EU and EEA nationals and their family members should also refer to our EU/EEA funding page.
Additional eligibility categories
There are many ways to qualify for funding. Specific rules apply to:
- EU and Swiss nationals
- Turkish workers
- Refugees
- People with long term UK residence
- Those with discretionary or indefinite leave to remain
- Relevant family members (eg spouse, dependent child)
If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, please contact Student Advice before you start your course.
Evidence requirements
SFE will always require original immigration documents and proof of residence. If you cannot provide the required evidence, SFE may refuse funding, withdraw funding, or ask for money to be repaid.
Household income and how it affects your funding
Student Finance England (SFE) uses household income to work out how much Maintenance Loan and any dependants’ grants you can receive. Household income can include the income of:
- your parent(s)
- a parent’s co habiting partner
- your husband, wife or civil partner
- a co habiting partner
It includes both earned income (such as wages) and unearned income (such as savings interest or rental income).
How household income is assessed
SFE normally uses income from the previous tax year. For example, if you start your course in September 2026, the assessment is based on 2024–25 income.
If your household income has dropped by 15% or more since that tax year, you can request an assessment based on the current tax year instead.
Independent assessment
If you are 25 or over on 1 September, you will be assessed on your own income, and if relevant, the income of your spouse or partner. Your parents’ income will not be required.
If you are under 25, your parents’ income will normally be used unless one of the following applies:
- You can show you have financially supported yourself for three full years before your course begins.
- You are married or in a civil partnership before the start of the academic year.
- You have no living parents.
- Your parents live outside the European Community and contacting them may put them at risk (eg, if you have been granted asylum).
- Your parents cannot be traced or it is not practical to contact them.
- You are responsible for a child under 18 on the first day of the academic year.
- You have been in the care of a local authority for at least three months after turning 16.
- You are irreconcilably estranged from your parents.
Estranged students
If you are in care, have recently left care, or Student Finance England (SFE) accepts that you are estranged from your parents, you will normally be assessed independently, meaning your parents’ income is not required.
You may be considered estranged if you have had no contact or only very limited contact and support from your parents. SFE usually expects this lack of contact to have lasted at least one year, although they may consider cases where the relationship has broken down more recently.
You will not be considered estranged simply because:
- You do not get on with your parents.
- You have recently argued.
- You no longer live with them.
- Your parents refuse to provide financial information or support.
Evidence
Because each case is assessed individually, SFE will normally require independent evidence, such as:
- A report from social services or the police.
- A letter from a teacher, tutor or support worker.
- Evidence from Jobcentre Plus showing you previously claimed Income Support due to estrangement.
Need help?
If you are unsure whether you meet the criteria, do not have evidence, or are unsure what to provide, please contact Student Advice. In addition, please read this detailed information sheet:
Applying for Student Finance England (SFE) funding
It’s important to apply for your funding as early as possible before your course begins, as applications can take time to process. You do not need to wait until you have a confirmed course offer - you can update your course details later if they change.
The deadline for late applications is 31 May after the start of your academic year.
When to apply
Applications usually open from February/March each year. You must apply each year for your funding.
How to apply
Most students can apply online for:
- Tuition Fee Loan
- Maintenance Loan
- Additional grants
If you cannot apply online, you can submit a paper application instead. New students should use the PN1 form.
What you will need
To complete your application, you will need:
- A valid passport
- Your National Insurance number
If you do not have a National Insurance number, you can apply for one through GOV.UK, or SFE can request one for you as part of your application - but this may take longer.
If you do not hold a UK passport or a valid passport/ID card from another country, you will need to provide your original Home Office documents to confirm your identity and immigration status.
EU Tuition Fee Loan applications
If you are applying only for the EU Tuition Fee Loan, you must use the EU25N paper form. This cannot be completed online. You will need a valid passport or national identity card.
For full details and application guidance, visit the Student Finance England website.
Who to contact for help with SFE funding
The Student Advice team at the University can provide tailored advice about your eligibility for SFE funding, can help if things go wrong with the application process and/or liaise with SFE on your behalf.
The Disability Learning Support Team can help with issues related to the Disabled Student’s Allowance.
You can also contact Student Finance England.
Frequently asked questions
I have previously undertaken higher education studies. Will this affect my funding?
If you’ve already undertaken any higher education study, anywhere in the world, not just in the UK, this may affect your eligibility for Student Finance England funding. This applies whether you completed the course or only attended for a short period.
For full details, visit our previous study page.
Already have an Architecture degree?
If you completed your Architecture undergraduate degree full-time, received Student Finance England (SFE) funding, and then took one year of work experience before progressing to the MArch, you should normally remain eligible for SFE funding for the MArch.
If you studied your undergraduate degree part-time, or if you took more than one year out between finishing your Architecture degree and starting the MArch (RIBA Part II), please contact Student Advice so we can check your individual funding entitlement.
I am repeating or re taking a year - will my SFE funding be affected?
Possibly. Your funding may be reduced if you have previously repeated a year, suspended your studies part way through a year, or have any prior attendance on another higher education course.
For details, visit our repeat-year funding page.
Will a placement year affect my SFE funding?
Yes, in most cases it will. Read our placement information page for further details.
Check your tuition fee liability with the Student Centre and the Finance Office. If you are eligible to receive student funding and have a fee liability, you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover this.
How do I repay my student loan?
The Student Loans Company (SLC) is responsible for managing all student loan repayments.
If you started your course on or after 1 August 2023, you’ll be on Plan 5.
How repayments work (2026–27)
- You repay 9% of anything you earn above the Plan 5 repayment threshold.
- For the 2026–27 tax year, the repayment threshold remains:
- £25,000 a year
- £2,083 a month
- £481 a week (Plan 5 is frozen at £25,000 for 2026–27.)
Interest on your loan
- Interest is added from the day your loan is paid to you.
- While you’re studying, the interest rate is lower.
- After you finish your course, the interest rate is linked to RPI, updated each September.
Visit the Student Loans Company for further details.
What other funding is available?
If you’ve been classed as a UK Home student, you can apply to the Living Expenses Support Scheme (LESS) and/or the Cost of Living Assistance Scheme after you enrol on your course.
You can also explore funding from charities and trusts, many of which offer financial support to students experiencing hardship or meeting specific criteria. Each organisation sets its own eligibility rules - for example, you may need to live in a particular area, be under a certain age, or be facing unexpected financial difficulties during your studies.
These funds can be a helpful supplement, but they should not be relied on to cover all study costs, as the amounts awarded are often limited.
The Turn2Us website has a free online trust fund search.
If you are an architecture student, have a look at the RIBA Student Support Fund.
If you’re applying to study at Westminster or have already accepted an offer, take a look at our Scholarships page to explore the funding opportunities available.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) - for courses starting from January 2027
From January 2027, the government is introducing the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) - a new funding system designed to give people more flexible access to higher-level study throughout their lives. Under the LLE, eligible students will receive a personal funding entitlement that can be used for full degrees, modules, or shorter courses at Levels 4–6. It is aimed at anyone who wants to study in a more flexible way, retrain, upskill, or return to education later in life. The LLE will gradually replace the current student finance system for new learners starting from 2027.
LLE versus the current student finance system
How is the LLE different from the current system?
The current system gives most students a single block of funding for one full undergraduate degree. The LLE replaces this with a flexible personal funding entitlement that you can use for full degrees, shorter courses, or individual modules over your lifetime.
Who is the LLE designed for?
The LLE is for anyone who wants to study in a more flexible way, including school leavers, adults returning to education, people retraining for a new career, or those wanting to build skills alongside work.
What level of study does the LLE cover?
It supports courses at Levels 4–6, which include certificates, diplomas, modules, and full undergraduate degrees.
When does the LLE start?
The LLE will apply to new learners starting from January 2027 onwards. Students beginning courses before this date will continue under the current funding rules.
Will tuition fees still be covered?
Yes. Under the LLE, eligible learners can still access tuition fee loans, but they will draw from their personal entitlement rather than a single degree-length allocation.
What this means if you’re starting in September 2026
If you begin your undergraduate course before January 2027, you will stay on the current student finance system for the full length of your course. You will not move on to the LLE part way through your studies.
Students starting from January 2027 onwards will be funded under the new LLE system.