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Financing your studies

Student finance and funding

How much will it cost to go to university? How do you apply for undergraduate student finance, and what funding and support is there?

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CONTENTS

  1. Student finance

  2. University tuition fees

  3. What are your student living costs?

  4. What financial support is there?

  5. Other funding and financial support

  6. Grants for students supporting family

  7. Course-related payments

  8. Travel grant

Student finance

If you’re taking your first degree, you may wonder how on earth you’ll fund your studies – particularly when you read about the tuition fees you’ll have to pay, or the cost of living.

For UK-resident students there’s financial support in the way of student loans (and sometimes grants) to pay for your tuition fees and help towards the cost of studying at university. The government terms this support as ‘student finance’.

Read on to find out more, including the extra help you may be eligible for based on your personal circumstances.

University tuition fees

If you’re studying for a degree at a UK university, you’ll be charged a tuition fee for each year you study. Fees can vary between universities and courses. If you’re a UK-resident student paying ‘home’ fees, each nation sets a cap on the maximum tuition fee you can be charged. If you’re an international student, a different scale of fees is chargeable.

You can find and check fees for courses on our course chooser, and all universities show course fees on their own websites. When looking at course details on the Complete University Guide website, to see the relevant fees make sure you're viewing as a student from the correct nation by using the form just below the top menu.

Taking an accelerated degree is one way to reduce the overall cost of a degree. In England these degrees are completed in two years rather than three, studying over a longer academic year.

UK-residents who secure a degree apprenticeship won’t have to pay their tuition fees at all. Instead, you’ll be a paid employee and your employer will foot the bill for your education.

What are your student living costs?

As well as tuition fees, you’ll have maintenance or living costs, especially if you move away from home. This can include rent, bills, travel, textbooks and other living expenses.

What financial support is there?

There are two types of financial support for undergraduates if you’re eligible and studying in the UK: a tuition fee loan (paid to your university directly) and maintenance support (paid to you, to support your living costs). Maintenance support includes loans and sometimes also grants, depending on which UK nation you come from.

The loans are provided by the UK Government and managed by the Student Loans Company (owned by the government). You’ll need to pay the money back, but only if your income is above a certain amount.

Tuition fee loans

Your tuition fee loan will usually cover the full tuition fee. If you’re at a private institution, you’ll get a reduced amount and will need to fund the difference in cost yourself. You’re normally eligible for funding for the duration of your course but if you’ve studied before – even if you didn’t finish your course – it may affect the level of support you're entitled to.

Maintenance loans

Maintenance loans are generally only available to UK-resident students. The maintenance loan is means-tested, based on your household income. This is usually your parents' income unless you’re a mature or independent student and have earned your own living for several years.

Unless you’re from Wales, you’re only likely to get the maximum support if you have a low household income. If your household income is higher, you won’t get the full maintenance loan – with the implication that the difference will be found elsewhere. This might be through contributions from parents or guardians, a part-time job, or savings. It's also worth looking for other financial support such as grants, bursaries or scholarships, if you’re likely to meet their criteria.

If you’re from Wales, whatever your household income you’ll get the same amount of student finance support, made up of a grant and a loan. The less your household income is, the more you’ll get as a grant.

You may be considered an 'independent student' if you've earned a living for three years, are a care leaver, or are irreconcilably estranged from your parents. Being 'estranged' is different from your parents not being willing or able to support you financially. If you say you're estranged and are in touch with your parents at all, you stand to lose a lot. The charity Stand Alone provides information on financial support for independent students.

How much financial support can you get – and how do you apply?

On the following pages we outline the financial support you’re likely to get and how to apply for undergraduate student finance. Details depend on the nation where you live (or were ‘resident’) before starting uni:

Contact your education authority if you come from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Once you start your university course, you'll be under same payment scheme from the start of your degree until its end. However, the amount of funding is reviewed annually and may change.

Other funding and financial support

Extra funding may be available to support you if you excel in your subject of study, have a low income, or need extra support because of your personal circumstances. Below we cover some of the extra financial help you could get.

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and bursaries are awards to support your learning and living while at university, which don’t need to be paid back. Scholarships are usually awarded on merit, i.e. if you excel at your subject or a sport. Bursaries normally provide financial support based on your personal circumstances. You may get them from a university, a charity or a trust.

Financial help for care leavers

If you've been in care at all, even for a short period of time, check if you’re entitled to financial help. You’re likely to qualify for extra funding from the government or get a student bursary from your university. Even if you don't get extra funding, you may get help with accommodation outside of university term times.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

Even if you don’t consider yourself disabled, if you have a condition that affects your ability to study, you may qualify for Disabled Students’ Allowance.

DSA funds equipment or practical support to help you if you’re a UK-resident student studying a higher education course for a year or more. It can support students who are dyslexic or have AD(H)D, have a sensory or physical disability, a long-term health condition such as MS or cancer, or are autistic. If you’re not sure whether this is you, talk to your university’s disability advisor to find out more.

University hardship funds

If you run into unexpected financial difficulty during your studies and can show this was despite careful budgeting and getting all available funding, you may be able to apply to a hardship fund at your university.

This is emergency funding, and the amount you get will be determined by your uni. You usually need to be a UK-resident student, although some unis may offer support to EU or international students. Priority will be given to those with a low household income, or have children, are disabled or are a care leaver.

If you find you’re struggling to make ends meet and your uni or Students’ Union has a money advice service, speak to them as soon as you can. Otherwise organisations such as Step Change can help you to manage debt.

Can students claim benefits?

There are very few circumstances where you can claim government benefits as a student. If you’re on benefits and want to study a degree, most unis have money advice or welfare services that you can contact for information. You can also contact organisations like Turn2us, a UK charity that provides practical help for those struggling financially. In Scotland, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has useful information.

You may be eligible to get support from the UK Government’s Universal Credit benefit scheme – for example, if you’re responsible for a child. If you’re already on a 'legacy benefit' (one that's being stopped), these will all eventually switch to Universal Credit. If you’re claiming a legacy benefit but your circumstances change during this period, you may be moved immediately to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit treats student maintenance loans – and some grants – as 'unearned income'. You’ll be assessed on the full amount of maintenance loan you’re entitled to, even if you choose not to take it. Parents’ Learning Allowance and the Childcare Grant aren’t counted as income.

Jobseeker's Allowance isn't normally available to students unless, for example, they’re a single parent and can’t work during the summer vacation. New claimants will only be eligible for new-style Jobseeker’s Allowance, which is based on you having contributed enough national insurance over the past two years. If this doesn’t apply, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

If you’re a disabled student and need help with personal care or mobility, you can claim Personal Independence Payments or similar support. However, if your health improves during your course, your eligibility may be reassessed.

Parents who are students can still claim Child Benefit.

Remember your income (whether grants, loans or other) may affect the amount of benefit you get.

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Grants for students supporting family

If you’re a UK resident on a low income and you financially support another adult or a child, you may be eligible for a government grant. There are three types of dependants' grants:

  • Adult Dependants' Grant
  • Childcare Grant
  • Parent's Learning Allowance (Scotland differs slightly)

The money doesn't need to be paid back unless you leave your course early, or, for grants based on your income, if you've been overpaid. You only qualify for this help if you’re a full-time undergraduate or on a teacher-training course (ITT or PGCE).

Adult Dependants’ Grant

Known as a 'Dependants' Grant' in Scotland, you can get the Adult Dependants' Grant if you're financially responsible for another adult. This is normally someone you're married to or a partner (if you're under 25, this must be a civil partnership). It doesn’t include grown-up children. You can't apply if the other adult is also getting student finance.

In 2024/25 you may get £2,640–£3,438 depending on which UK nation you're a resident in:

  • £3,438 in England
  • £3,353 Wales
  • £2,695 in Northern Ireland
  • £2,640 in Scotland

The amount depends on your income, including that of your adult dependant. If they have an annual income of £3,796–£3,923 (depending on which nation you're based in), or if you receive an NHS bursary, you won't be eligible. Other government grants might affect how much you get, but the money you receive won't affect what student finance you're entitled to.

To get the Adult Dependants’ Grant, you must apply to the student finance body for where you live and give evidence of your household income. The money will be paid directly into your bank account at the start of each term. Remember to update your student finance body if your circumstances change or you may have to pay money back.

Childcare Grant

If you’re from England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you can get a Childcare Grant if you have children who are financially dependent on you, and you pay for their childcare costs. They must be under 15 years old, or under 17 if they have special educational needs.

How much Childcare Grant can you get?

You can get financial help for up to 85% of your childcare costs (up to a capped amount) but you may get less. You'll need to use a registered or approved childcare provider who isn’t a relative. If you haven’t arranged childcare yet you can estimate costs – but provide the actual costs as soon as you can, otherwise you may get less money.

The amount you get will depend on your household income, whether you get other government grants and how many children you're claiming for. If you get other help for childcare costs (such as childcare benefits or an NHS bursary) this may affect your claim.

How do you get the Childcare Grant?

Complete a Childcare Grant application form, with a careful estimate of your weekly childcare costs. Send it to your student finance body as soon as you can, before the application deadline for student finance. You'll also need to provide evidence about your children by showing, for instance, a birth certificate or other official document if you've moved to the UK.

The money is paid directly into your bank account at the start of each term once your university confirms your attendance. You're then responsible for paying your childcare provider. You'll need to confirm your actual childcare costs three times a year. Contact your student finance body if there are any changes, such as changing childcare provider.

Childcare Grants for Scottish students

If you’re from Scotland and studying in Scotland, you’ll need to apply as early as possible to your university's discretionary childcare fund. If you’re a single parent, you may be eligible for the Lone Parents’ Childcare Grant, which you can claim from the uni or college where you study.

If studying elsewhere in the UK, check with your university to see what help is available. You may need to apply for Universal Credit instead.

Parents' Learning Allowance

If you’re from England, Wales or Northern Ireland, if you have children, you can get the Parents' Learning Allowance to help with study-related costs. This provides financial help for things like study materials or travel.

You don't need to be paying for childcare to get this grant. You'll need to give evidence that you have a child who's financially dependent on you, and you must be applying for income-assessed student loans. The amount of grant that you get will depend on your household income.

What financial support can students get from the Parents' Learning Allowance?

In 2024/25, depending on the nation you lived in before you started studying, you can get up to £1,915. Scottish students who are single parents can apply for a Lone Parents' Grant of up to £1,305 per year.

How do you get the Parents' Learning Allowance or Lone Parents' Grant?

When applying for student finance, complete the relevant section. You don't need to wait until your university place is confirmed but if there are any changes, let your student finance body know.

Course-related payments

Depending on where you are in the UK, there may be financial help for certain courses.

NHS bursary

The NHS bursary – or similar healthcare funding – offers different support depending on the UK nation you’re from, where you study, and what you study. To find out about funding for a degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing or midwifery, or an allied health profession subject, check our page about the NHS bursary.

  1. READ MORE
  2. NHS funded courses

Teacher training

In England, an undergraduate veteran teaching bursary is available to eligible veterans from the armed forces taking an undergraduate degree to teach certain subjects in secondary education. Scholarships from Future Teaching Scholars are available for talented A-Level students studying maths or physics at degree level, who aim to move into teaching. If you study maths, physics, computing or languages and take an opt-in QTS course (qualified teacher status), you could also get a bursary.

Across the UK, there’s more likely to be funding for graduate teacher training, either university-based or school-based, mostly for shortage subjects. Postgraduate teaching apprenticeships are also available in England.

Social work

If you’re from England, Wales or Northern Ireland and studying an undergraduate degree in social work, you may get financial support from a social work bursary. Awards include amounts towards your living costs and placement allowances. Each nation runs their own scheme, but Scotland’s scheme only supports postgraduate study. You can find all the details in our page about the social work bursary.

Study abroad

If you study abroad for between one term and one year as part of your course, you can still apply for student loan finance during this time. It's also worth looking for financial support from university scholarships or student bursaries.

  1. READ MORE
  2. The Turing Scheme

Travel grant

For full-time students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the travel grant gives financial help for study abroad, or with UK-based clinical placements for medical and dental students in the years they don’t receive an NHS bursary.

The travel grant doesn’t apply to clinical placements for nurses, midwives or allied health professionals. Instead, students who receive funding support (such as the NHS Learning Support Fund in England) can claim some of their placement expenses back via their scheme.

Study abroad includes studying at an overseas university as part of your course. The grant can cover eligible expenses including travel, visas, vaccinations and medical insurance. It can be used to support the travel costs of students going overseas with the Turing Scheme if they don’t qualify for the scheme’s support.

How do you get a travel grant?

You must be a full-time undergraduate student receiving means-tested student finance. Overseas study must be for at least half of each academic term. Clinical placements must be a requirement of your course and you won't qualify if you’re eligible for other funding (such as an NHS bursary). If you've studied at this level before, you might not be eligible for funding.

How much financial support could you get?

You pay the costs yourself up front and must keep receipts as evidence of your spending. You can then claim the money back. The amount you get back depends on your household income, and you'll need to cover c.£303–£309 of the year's cost yourself. If you’re from Wales, you’re expected to pay the first £1,000 if your household income is over £59,200. You won't need to pay the grant back unless you’ve been overpaid, or you leave your course early. 

Students from Scotland

You can also get financial help with travel expenses for travel abroad. This must be a compulsory part of your course, and not a paid placement. You can claim the cost of your journey and medical insurance. The financial support you get doesn't depend on your household income – although if you do have a low household income and are going overseas with the Turing Scheme, you may get support as part of that programme. You must update the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) about studying abroad when applying for student finance, and you'll be sent a claims form.

If you’re on an Allied Health Profession (AHP) course, you can claim travel expenses when on clinical placement. AHP placements must be in Scotland. If you receive the Paramedic, Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary, this allows £5 for daily travel. You can claim expenses when your clinical placement costs are higher than this, using the cheapest form of public transport.

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