Paying for it
For many adult learners in England, government student finance is what makes returning to education possible. Here is how it broadly works — and what we check before you rely on any of it.
Eligible students can borrow the cost of tuition, paid directly to the university — meaning no upfront fees. Whether you are eligible depends on your residency and immigration status, your previous study, the course and the provider.
Eligible full-time students may also receive a maintenance loan toward living costs, with the amount depending on household income and where you live and study. Some circumstances attract additional grants.
Repayment of eligible student finance generally begins only after your income passes the threshold for your repayment plan, and is collected as a percentage of income above it. The rules and thresholds are set by the government and can change.
Previous higher education can reduce or remove funding entitlement — but not always. Foundation years, certain subjects and some circumstances have their own rules. This is exactly the kind of thing we check case by case.
Student finance is never automatic and never guaranteed. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances — residency, immigration status, previous study, the course and provider — and the rules change. We help you understand what you may be eligible for and how to apply; the decision always rests with the student-finance authority.
Before you commit to a course, we walk through your circumstances and tell you which funding may apply, what evidence the application needs, and what to expect. If funding looks unlikely, we say so before you spend a penny or a month.
Tell us where you are now. We will tell you honestly what your options are — in English or Persian, at no cost to you.