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Financing your studies

University tuition fees and financial support in Northern Ireland

An overview of undergraduate university tuition fees and student finance for students from Northern Ireland in 2024/25.

Belfast City Hall Northern Ireland

CONTENTS

  1. Undergraduate student finance in Northern Ireland, 2024/25

  2. University tuition fees and tuition fee loans

  3. Funding your living costs at uni

  4. Grants and loans for students from Northern Ireland, 2024/25

  5. Extra funding for university

  6. Loans if studying abroad or on a placement year

  7. Student finance for a second degree

  8. How to apply for student finance in Northern Ireland

  9. Repaying your student loan

Undergraduate student finance in Northern Ireland, 2024/25

Students from Northern Ireland taking a university degree may receive additional financial support from grants, reducing the amount you’ll need to repay on your student loan. If you study in Northern Ireland, you'll also pay lower fees than if you study elsewhere in the UK.

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

University tuition fees and tuition fee loans

If you’re going to university in Northern Ireland

Universities can charge you up to £4,750 a year for undergraduate tuition. You can apply to Student Finance NI for a loan of up to £4,750 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, Scotland and Wales can charge you up to £9,250 a year. 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 £4,750 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 student contribution charge rather than a tuition fee. A loan of up to €3,000 is available to help you pay this, depending on what your university or college charges.

Funding your living costs at uni

Your living costs while attending uni may include accommodation fees, food and drink, and travel. The support you get for these living costs is determined by your household income and where you’ll live during term time.

Students from Northern Ireland 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 below.

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 a minimum amount. The expectation is that you’ll find the difference elsewhere, whether through contributions from your parents, a part-time job or savings.

Even if you receive full support, you’ll need to carefully budget to cover your living costs.

Grants and loans for students from Northern Ireland, 2024/25

Household income Financial support if living at home Financial support if living in London Financial support if living elsewhere
Up to £19,203 £3,135 loan
£3,475 grant
£6,610 total
£7,377 loan
£3,475 grant
£10,852 total
£4,661 loan
£3,475 grant
£8,136 total
£25,000 £3,605 loan
£2,201 grant
£5,806 total
£7,847 loan
£2,201 grant
£10,048 total
£5,131 loan
£2,201 grant
£7,332 total
£35,000 £4,561 loan
£689 grant
£5,250 total
£8,803 loan
£689 grant
£9,492 total
£6,087 loan
£689 grant
£6,776 total
£45,000 £4,740 loan £8,982 loan £6,266 loan
£55,000 £3,938 loan £7,509 loan £5,084 loan
£65,000 £3,938 loan £7,121 loan £5,084 loan

The figures above are shown for illustrative purposes; actual loan amounts will depend on your personal circumstances. The most you’ll get is £5,250 if you live at home, £9,492 if you study in London or £6,776 if you live elsewhere. The minimum is 75% of this amount.

Long course loan in 2024/25

If your course is longer than 30 weeks in the academic year, you can get an additional loan. You won’t be eligible for this if you’re getting a reduced rate loan, for example if you’re on a year-long paid placement.

The maximum long course loan per week is:

  • £77 – if you’re living with your parents
  • £152 – if you’re living in London
  • £118 – if you’re living outside of London
  • £164 – if you’re studying overseas

Extra funding for university

Some students may qualify for a special support grant instead of a maintenance grant, for example if you’re 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.

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.

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

Some courses receive other government backing. If you study a healthcare course, check our page on NHS funded courses as it may affect your student finance. 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.

Loans if studying abroad or on a placement year

Some degree courses include a period where you study abroad or go on a work placement to gain experience. If you’re abroad or on placement for a year, you still pay a tuition fee to your home university, but it'll be reduced. The amount of reduction depends on which UK nation your uni is in. Your tuition fee loan will also be reduced.

If your course requires you to study abroad, your maintenance loan will be at the overseas rate, which is up to £8,078. The amount will depend on your household income and how long you’re away for.

Living cost support for those on placement depends on whether it’s a paid placement or not. It’s best to check with your local Student Finance Northern Ireland office to see what support you may be eligible for. 

Student finance for a second degree

Generally, you can only get undergraduate funding for your first degree. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but you may not get full funding. In Northern Ireland, graduates can take medicine or dentistry as a second degree. You could be eligible for a means-tested maintenance loan, but you’d need to pay your own tuition fees (or student contribution charge in ROI) for the duration of your course.

Support may also be available for courses leading to professional qualifications in veterinary science, social work, teaching and architecture (to complete the RIBA Part 2 course). If you plan to study a second degree, check with Student Finance Northern Ireland whether you're eligible for support.

How to apply for student finance in Northern Ireland

You can apply online to Student Finance Northern Ireland.

If you’re going to be a full-time undergraduate, you can apply from March of the year your course starts. It’s best to apply early, to ensure you have your loan by the start of your course. You'll need to apply for a loan each year of your course.

The Student Loans Company (SLC) handles the loan on behalf of the government. They’ll pay your tuition fees to your university at the beginning of your course. The maintenance loan is paid into your bank account at the start of each term, once you’ve registered on your course.

Repaying your student 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.

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