University Cost Calculator UK 2026/27

Estimate the total cost of a UK university degree · tuition fees, living costs, maintenance loan, and projected student loan repayments after graduation.

Total Degree Cost
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Including tuition and living costs
Total Tuition Fees
£0
Total Living Costs
£0
Maintenance Loan (total)
£0
Funding Gap
£0
Total Debt at Graduation
£0
Monthly Repayment
£0
Enter your details to see your university cost breakdown.
Cost Breakdown
How Student Loan Repayment Works (Plan 5)

New students starting from 2023/24 are on Plan 5. You repay 9% of income above £25,000 per year. The loan is written off after 40 years. If you never earn above the threshold, you never repay a penny.

Interest accrues at RPI + up to 3% while studying. After graduation, interest is capped at RPI only on Plan 5. The average graduate never fully repays their loan · it's more like a graduate tax than a traditional loan.

Key Insight: Because most graduates don't fully repay, the sticker price of the loan matters less than your expected earnings. High earners repay more; lower earners repay less and have the remainder written off.

UK University Costs & Loan Repayments · 2026/27

Plan 5 students · Repay 9% of income above £25,000 · Written off after 40 years

Gross Salary Monthly Repayment Annual Repayment Years to Repay £45,000 Debt Likely Outcome
£20,000£0£0Never (below threshold)Full write-off at 40 years
£25,000£0£0Never (at threshold)Full write-off at 40 years
£30,000£37.50£450Never fully repaidPartial write-off likely
£35,000£75£900Never fully repaidPartial write-off likely
£40,000£112.50£1,35038 yearsNear write-off
£50,000£187.50£2,250~25 yearsWill likely repay in full
£60,000£262.50£3,150~17 yearsWill repay in full
£80,000£412.50£4,950~11 yearsWill repay in full + interest

Student Finance FAQs

How much does university cost in the UK in 2026?
A 3-year degree costs up to £28,605 in tuition fees (3 × £9,535 maximum for 2026/27 in England). Add living costs of £12,000–£18,000 per year depending on location and the total degree cost is typically £65,000–£83,000. The majority is covered by student loans, which most graduates never fully repay.
What is the student loan repayment threshold in 2026?
Plan 5 students (those starting from 2023/24 onwards) repay 9% of gross income above £25,000 per year. At a £30,000 salary that is £37.50/month. Repayments are collected automatically through PAYE · you never need to make manual payments. The threshold may be updated annually in line with earnings.
How much maintenance loan will I get in 2026/27?
Maximum maintenance loan for 2026/27: outside London £10,227/year · London £13,348/year · living at home £8,171/year. The amount is means-tested on household income. Students from households earning under £25,000 receive the maximum. The loan is paid directly into your bank account in three instalments per year.
Will I ever pay back my full student loan?
Most Plan 5 graduates will not. The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates that around 60–70% of Plan 5 graduates will have some or all of their loan written off after 40 years. High earners in careers such as medicine, law and finance are more likely to repay in full · and should consider whether making voluntary overpayments makes sense financially.
Is university worth it financially in the UK?
For most graduates, yes. The ONS estimates graduates earn on average £10,000 more per year than non-graduates over their working lives. Because Plan 5 repayments are income-contingent and the loan is eventually written off, the financial risk of low earnings is limited. The biggest risk is taking an expensive course in a field with poor employment prospects.

For informational purposes only · Not financial advice · Student finance terms subject to change · Check Student Finance England for official figures