Frequently asked questions

It depends on your situation. With settled status (or indefinite leave to remain) you can usually get a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan once you have lived in the UK for 3 years before the course starts. With pre-settled status, Student Finance England usually pays the Tuition Fee Loan after 3 years of residence in the UK, the EEA or Switzerland, but a Maintenance Loan (for living costs) generally needs you to qualify as an EU, EEA or Swiss worker, or as a family member of one. Many of our students work, so we check this with you before you apply.

Student Finance England makes the final decision.

Usually at least 3 years before the first day of your course. If you have lived in the UK for less than 3 years, tell us when you arrived and we'll tell you when you could start.

Yes. Our partner universities run blended degrees with classes 1 to 2 days a week, in the evenings or at weekends. Most of our students keep their jobs and plan their shifts around their campus days.

Often, no. Many of our partner universities accept adults based on their CV and work experience, and many courses start with a Foundation Year that prepares you for degree study. Some universities ask for GCSEs or an equivalent school certificate from your home country, which most applicants already have.

Around B1: you can hold a conversation and write a short text. Each university runs its own English test as part of the application. Not sure about your level? We check it with you for free before you apply, and if you need a few months to prepare, we'll tell you honestly.

Up to £14,135 a year if you study in London and live away from your parents. Outside London it is up to £10,830, and up to £9,118 if you live with your parents. The amount you get depends on your household income, and with pre-settled status you usually need to qualify as an EU worker to get it. It is paid into your bank account in instalments.

You only repay when you earn over £25,000 a year. You pay 9% of what you earn above that, taken automatically from your payslip. If your income drops below the threshold, repayments stop. Anything left after 40 years is written off. For example, on a £30,000 salary you repay £37.50 a month.

It depends. Under the current rules, Student Finance usually does not fund a second degree at the same or a lower level, and that includes degrees from abroad. For courses starting from 1 January 2027, the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement may let you get funding even if you have studied before, with a lifetime limit of £39,160 for tuition. Message us and we'll check your case.

There is no upper age limit for the Tuition Fee Loan. Many of our students start in their 30s and 40s. The Maintenance Loan is lower if you are 60 or over.

No. The Maintenance Loan is not available for courses taught fully online (except for some students with a disability). That's why the courses we recommend include regular days on campus.

On top of your loans, parents can get two grants that you don't pay back. The Childcare Grant covers up to 85% of childcare costs, up to £199.62 a week for one child or £342.24 for two or more. The Parents' Learning Allowance gives up to £2,024 a year. Both depend on household income.

The Tuition Fee Loan and the Maintenance Loan are loans. You repay them only when you earn over the threshold, and the rest is written off after 40 years. The Childcare Grant and the Parents' Learning Allowance are grants, so you don't repay them.

The next start is January 2027. Universities run several intakes a year and dates differ by university and course. Your advisor has the full, up-to-date list and will tell you which start fits you.

Nothing. Our help is free for you at every stage. Our partner universities pay us when a student enrols, so you never pay us a fee.

Your advisor messages you on WhatsApp, usually the same day, depending on how busy we are. You'll have a short call to talk through your options, then we help you with the application, the university interview, the English test and your Student Finance application.