University tuition fees and financial support in Northern Ireland

CONTENTS

1. Undergraduate student finance in Northern Ireland

2. Tuition fees and tuition fee loans

3. Funding your living costs

4. Extra funding for university

5. Studying abroad or on a placement year

6. Student finance and second degrees (ELQ)

7. Applying for student finance in Northern Ireland

8. Repaying your loan

Undergraduate student finance in Northern Ireland

If you're from Northern Ireland and taking a degree, you may get a combination of support from grants as well as loans, reducing the amount you have to repay. Below we outline what's available to undergraduates for 2021/22 entry. 

To be classed as a student from Northern Ireland, you normally need to have lived in Northern Ireland for the three years before starting your university course. See our information on student finance eligibility, which includes arrangements after Brexit.

Tuition fees and tuition fee loans

If you’re going to university in Northern Ireland

Universities can charge you up to £4,530 a year for undergraduate tuition. You can apply to Student Finance NI for a loan of up to £4,530 to help cover this fee. If you wish to study at a private institution, where fees may be higher, you’ll need to pay the excess yourself.

If you’re going to university in England, Scotland or Wales

Universities in England and Scotland can charge you up to £9,250 a year, while universities in Wales can charge up to £9,000. If you’re taking an accelerated degree (which is completed in less time than a normal degree) universities in England can charge up to £11,100. You can apply for a loan of up to £9,250 (or up to £11,100 for an accelerated degree) to help cover this fee.

If you study at a private provider, you'll get a maximum of £4,530 towards your fees. If your fees are higher, you'll have to pay the difference yourself.

If you’re going to university in the Republic of Ireland

If you’re eligible for support from Student Finance NI, you can apply for funding to study a course in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Here, you pay a tuition contribution rather than a tuition fee. This is €3,000 in 2021/22. A loan is available to cover your tuition contribution.

Funding your living costs

The support you get is determined by your household income and where you’ll live during term time.

You can get a maintenance grant if your household income is £41,065 or less. However, it'll decrease the amount of maintenance loan you can apply for. The maximum grant is £3,475 for those whose income is £19,203 or less.

If your household income is above £41,065, you won't qualify for a maintenance grant. Also, above £41,540, the amount of maintenance loan gradually reduces to the minimum amount shown in the table below. The expectation is that you’ll find the difference elsewhere, whether through contributions from your parents, a part-time job or savings.

Student finance in Northern Ireland for 2021/22

If you study overseas for a term or up to a year, you can get a maintenance loan of up to £5,770.

If your course is longer than 30 weeks in the academic year, you can get an additional loan.

The maximum per week is:

• £55 – if you’re living with your parents
• £108 – if you’re living in London
• £84 – if you’re living outside of London
• £117 – if you’re studying overseas

You aren’t eligible for this if you’re getting a reduced rate loan, for example if you’re on a year-long paid placement.

Extra funding for university

You could get a special support grant instead of a maintenance grant if you meet other criteria such as being a lone parent. The amount of grant you'll get is the same, up to £3,475.

However, unlike the maintenance grant, the special support grant won't reduce the amount of maintenance loan you can apply for.

If you qualify for a student finance grant, you may also be eligible for a university bursary. Contact your university to find out more.

Depending on your personal circumstances, other government support may be available. For instance, if you’re leaving care to enter higher education, or you have a disability. Find out more on our page covering student finance and funding.

Some courses receive other government backing. If you study a healthcare course, check our page on the NHS bursary to see how this might affect your funding. Similarly, if you're from Northern Ireland and studying a social work course in Northern Ireland, you might be eligible for a Department of Health bursary. According to Student Finance NI guidance, you’ll still be eligible for the standard financial support.

Repaying your loan

You start repaying your student loan from the April after you leave university, and once your salary has reached a certain amount. You pay a percentage of your income.