Student loans
Tuition Fee Loans
All first degree UK and EU students, including part-time students (from September 2012) can take out a tuition fee loan through the Student Loans Company to cover the full cost of university tuition fees as shown in the table below:
| Course Type | Maximum Tuition Fee Loan Amount |
| Full-time undergraduate courses | up to £9,000 |
| Part-time undergraduate courses | up to £6,750 |
| Foundation courses | up to £4,500 |
Maintenance Loans
UK Home students can apply for maintenance loans to assist with living costs including accommodation, food, books and travel from the Student Loans Company. Loans are paid in three equal instalments at the start of each term. Up to 65% of the maintenance loan is non-means tested, the remaining 35% is means-tested. The table below shows the maximum loan amounts:
| Where you stay during term-time | Maximum Loan Amount |
| Living in parents' home | £4,375 |
| Living away from home, studying outside of London | £5,500 |
| Living away from home, studying in London | £7,675 |
Maintenance Grants and Special Support Grants
Students from a household income of £42,600 or less are eligible for further support through a maintenance grant (see table below). Funds awarded through the maintenance grant only will reduce your maintenance loan entitlement (a maximum grant of £3,250 will reduce your maintenance loan to £6,050). Grants are non-repayable.
| Household Income | Maintenance Grant / Special Support Grant Amount |
| £25,000 or less | £3,354 |
| £25,001 - £42,611 | Partial grant |
Maintenance Loan and/or Grant Payments
The maintenance loan and grant are paid in three instalments at the start of each term. At the start of each academic year unless students have applied for the full tuition fee loan, students must pay 50% of the tuition fees before they can be enrolled. Once students are enrolled their enrolment will automatically be sent to the Student Loan Company who will pay any loan and grant instalment due.
How to Apply
You can now apply for 2013 student finance via the online portal at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.
You can also calculate your entitlement using the calculator at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinancecalculator.
Loan repayment
Repayment for tuition fee and maintenance loans begins from the April after your graduation when your income is above:
- £15,795 for students who started their course before September 2012, for further information including monthly repayment amounts please see Gov.uk.
- £21,000 for students who start their course from September 2012, for further information including monthly repayment amounts please see Gov.uk.
If your course started on/after the 1st September 2012, the interest rate will be 3% plus inflation (RPI) during study and up to 3% plus inflation after graduation. Part-time students may enter repayment before graduation if earning above £21,000 three years after starting their course.