Loans EU Tuition Fee Loan

Brexit update: Following the UK's referendum vote to leave the EU, the Minister of State for Universities and Science has issued a statement to the effect that EU students starting courses in 2020/21 (including those starting courses in January 2021) will be eligible to apply for the funding laid out below for the duration of their course. Please note, if you are planning on starting a course in September 2021 the EU Tuition Fee Loan will not be available to you.

Student loans are designed to help cover the cost of your education. EU students planning to study full-time or part-time can apply for loans to help cover the cost of tuition fees.

Tuition Fee Loan for full-time students

The Tuition Fee Loan will cover the cost of your course to a maximum of £9,535 each year if starting a course in academic year 2025/26. It will be paid directly to the University by Student Finance England's Non-UK team.

Tuition Fee Loan for part-time students

Part-time students are also eligible for the Tuition Fee Loan.

• The amount paid to the University will be the actual cost of your course to a maximum of £7,145 per year if starting a course in academic year 2025/26.
• Your course needs to be at least 25% of a full-time course to qualify for the loan.

Check the Student Finance England website for more information.

Maintenance support

Most EU students are not eligible to apply for maintenance support from Student Finance England. However, if you are an EU student who has been living in the UK for five or more years prior to the start of your course (1 September for September starters; 1 January for January starters) you may be entitled to living cost support as well. 

Alternatively, if you have been working in the UK and will continue to work while you study, you may be entitled to maintenance support. 

EU students who think they might qualify for maintenance support need to apply for their funding as UK students, and fill out an online application rather than the EU paper application form.

Repaying student loans

The full-time Tuition Fee Loan does not need to be repaid until you have finished your course and are earning more than £26,065 per year. 

The earnings threshold will vary if you move overseas/return to your home country.

The earliest full-time students will start repaying the loans is the April after you leave your course.

The earnings threshold is the same for part-time students but they may start making repayments while they're still studying (from the April four years after the start of the course).

You will pay 9% of your income once you are earning over £26,065 a year. If your income falls below £26,065 your repayments will stop.

The interest on the loans is calculated at the rate of inflation plus 3% whilst you study, then at the rate of inflation plus 0–3% depending on earnings.

Previous study

If you have previously studied at degree level anywhere in the world you may find that you are not entitled to funding or that your entitlement may be reduced. If you already hold a degree, you may find that you are not entitled to receive any funding at all for your course. If you are not entitled to funding you will need to pay the tuition fees yourself.

How to apply

You will need to fill out a paper application form for your Tuition Fee Loan. For more information, visit the student finance section of the gov.uk website.