The 2025 tuition fee increase: What it means for students

Starting from August 2025, university tuition fees in England will increase for the first time over eight years. Other UK nations are likely to follow suit, with Wales being the first to announce a matching increase in undergraduate tuition fees. Scotland and Northern Ireland also set tuition fees in line with fees from England for students from the rest of the UK (RUK). But as yet there's been no update about changes to RUK fees from autumn 2025.

These changes will affect both new and continuing university students from September 2025. We go through how these changes affect students, how the costs compare, and the potential impact on affordability and future debt.

How much are the new tuition fees? 

Tuition fees in England have been capped at £9,250 per year since 2017. With rising inflation and higher costs for universities, the Government is lifting this cap in the 2025/26 academic year. Fees will rise to £9,535 for 2025 entry (The Standard).  

The change reflects the Government’s aim to make university funding more sustainable. But it also means higher fees and increased borrowing for most budding students.

In Wales, the Welsh Government kept fees steady at £9,000 for eleven years until 2024, when they rose to the same level as England. Only one year later the fees are increasing again, with Welsh universities able to charge up to £9,535 from August 2025.

Will I be able to afford the new tuition fees?   

Most students rely on student loans from the Government-backed Student Loans Company to pay their tuition fees. So the increase in fees will have a direct effect on the total amount of loan owed.

Martin Lewis, MoneySavingExpert, points out that while the tuition fee increase affects total loan amounts, it doesn’t raise annual repayments for most graduates. Repayments are income-based, so only those with high enough earnings will ultimately repay more.

Can I afford to go to university?

For many students, this is the more pressing question. In recent years, the increased cost of living has put students under pressure. Demand for student housing has led to high rent costs, alongside high food and energy prices.

In England, maintenance loans will increase by 3.1% for 2025/26, helping to offset rising living costs. For example, students living at home will see an annual increase of £267, while those studying in London will receive an extra £414.

By contrast, in Wales the living cost support will rise by only 1.6%. But Wales gives its students the most generous living cost of all UK nations. In 2025/26, students living at home will get £10,480 in living cost support compared with £8,877 for students from England. And in England, most students won’t actually receive that amount because their household income – i.e. what their parents earn – will reduce it. Whereas in Wales, household income affects how much students get as a grant or a loan, but all students get the full amount.

Martin Lewis cautions that while the increase in England is “better than nowt,” it doesn’t fully account for inflation over past years. This gap can still leave students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, with challenges in managing everyday costs during their studies. (MoneySavingExpert.com).

What help can I get to afford university?   

With rising financial pressures, many institutions are allocating funds to help students who struggle to meet daily expenses due to inflation and other economic factors.

Universities have financial support teams able to offer support. This may include hardship funds, bursaries and scholarships, and employment agencies. (Over 50% of students work part-time while they study.)

Access to subsidised facilities like sport, clubs and societies, field trips and placements are also common. Some universities also offer free laptops or vouchers to access books and materials.

This support will continue. You can find out more about the support available from our university profiles, by going on university open days and through university wellbeing and support teams.  

Carl Cullinane, Director of Research and Policy at the Sutton Trust, responded to England's announcement: 

“[These] announcements barely scratch the surface of what’s needed to reform student finance and widen opportunity. While students will welcome any additional money in their pockets, a 3% increase in the maintenance loan will scarcely begin to restore levels which have fallen more than 11% in real terms since 2021... 

“If the government is serious about breaking down barriers to opportunity, it should be taking steps to ensure students from the poorest backgrounds can meet their basic needs without graduating with excessive debt. Our modelling shows that reintroducing grants can be achieved with little or no additional cost to the public purse, through reform of the repayments system to make it more equitable.” (Sutton Trust) 

Earlier this year, the Government proposed reintroducing maintenance grants for low-income students in England. According to The Independent, this could provide up to £3,500 a year to cover living costs. However, the reintroduction of such grants has yet to be confirmed or announced. 

Is going to university still worth it?  

Higher education is still an investment. It can lead not just to long-term economic benefits, but to experiences that will last a lifetime and shape your future character as well as your bank balance.

Statistics show that most graduates earn significantly more than non-graduates over their lifetime. And employers continue to place high value on university qualifications.  

This rise in fees could make students question whether the extra cost will be offset by the long-term benefits of a university degree. It may prompt the need to be more discerning in their choice of university and course. 

The Complete University Guide’s league tables can serve as a useful tool in this decision-making process. You can use them to highlight universities that offer strong graduate prospects, for example. 

Our university shortlisting tool, Uniselect, helps to personalise the league tables for you based on what’s most important. If you want to get your money's worth, prioritising graduate outcomes and continuation could be the key when making your shortlist.  

Making an informed choice 

For students planning to start in September 2025, understanding these new costs and support options will be crucial.

Evaluating universities by their reputation, graduate prospects, and available financial support will help students choose a course that balances quality with affordability. Uniselect can help students make informed choices about their education’s value and potential return on investment.

Amanda Chetwynd, Chair of the Complete University Guide Advisory Board, said: 

“Whatever subject you are interested in studying, the Complete University Guide allows you to discover which universities offer you the best opportunity to complete your degree and gain a graduate job. Even more important, with the increased cost of living and attending university.”