Part-Time Study Funding UK: Your Complete 2025-26 Guide

TL;DR

Part-time students in England can now access both tuition fee loans and maintenance loans - a significant improvement from the old system where part-time students only got help with fees. For the 2025-26 academic year, you can borrow up to £7,145 for tuition fees plus a maintenance loan scaled to your course intensity.

If you’ve been putting off university because you need to work, care for family, or can’t commit to full-time study, this is your moment.

What’s Changed for Part-Time Students?

The big shift happened in 2018, and many people still don’t know about it. Before August 2018, part-time students could only get a Tuition Fee Loan - no help with living costs. Now, if your course started on or after 1 August 2018, you’re eligible for both.

This matters because the maintenance loan often makes the difference between affording university and not.

Current Part-Time Funding (2025-26)

Source: GOV.UK Student Finance guidance, January 2026

For 2026-27, the tuition fee cap rises to £7,335.

Understanding Course Intensity

Here’s where part-time funding gets specific. Your maintenance loan amount depends on your course intensity - the percentage of a full-time course you’re completing each year.

How Course Intensity Works

If a full-time student completes 120 credits per year and you complete 60 credits, your course intensity is 50%.

Your maintenance loan is proportional to your course intensity. A student at 50% intensity would receive roughly half the maintenance loan of a full-time student in similar circumstances.

Check Your Intensity

Not sure what your course intensity is? Your university can tell you. It’s usually listed in your course documentation, or you can ask the admissions or student finance team.

The minimum threshold is 25% - below this, you won’t qualify for student finance support.

Eligibility Requirements

To access part-time funding, you need to meet the same basic criteria as full-time students, plus some part-time-specific rules.

Standard Eligibility

You must:

1. Be a UK national, Irish citizen, or have settled status
2. Have lived in the UK for 3 years continuously before your course starts
3. Be studying at a qualifying institution on a qualifying course

If you’re an EU citizen with settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you qualify for full support (both tuition and maintenance) - the same as UK citizens.

Part-Time Specific Rules

Your course must have:

• At least 25% course intensity (compared to full-time equivalent)
• Started on or after 1 August 2018 for maintenance loan eligibility
• Recognition as an eligible part-time course by Student Finance England

Age Considerations

There’s no upper age limit for the Tuition Fee Loan. However, if you’re 60 or over on the first day of your course, you’re not eligible for the part-time Maintenance Loan.

Who Benefits Most from Part-Time Study?

Part-time degrees aren’t a compromise - they’re a strategic choice. Here’s who thrives on this route:

Working Professionals

If you’re employed and can’t afford to quit, part-time study lets you upskill without losing income. Many employers also value the commitment this shows - studying alongside full-time work demonstrates serious dedication.

Parents and Carers

Balancing childcare or caring responsibilities with study is challenging. Part-time allows you to schedule around school runs, appointments, and family needs.

Career Changers

Transitioning into a new field? Part-time study lets you maintain your current job while building qualifications in your target area. This is particularly valuable for fields like healthcare, teaching, or IT where practical experience matters.

Anyone Rebuilding Financially

If you’ve got debts to manage or savings to build, part-time study means you can keep working enough hours to stay financially stable while still progressing your education.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

1. Confirm Your Course Qualifies

Before anything else, check with your university that:

• The course is eligible for student finance
• The course intensity is at least 25%
• You understand how many years the part-time version takes

2. Check Your Personal Eligibility

Use the GOV.UK student finance calculator to verify your eligibility and estimate your entitlement. You’ll need:

• Your nationality/residency status
• Course details (intensity, duration, location)
• Household income information

3. Create Your Student Finance Account

Register on the Student Finance England website. Have your National Insurance number and ID documents ready.

4. Complete the Application

The part-time application is similar to the full-time version but asks about:

• Your course intensity (percentage)
• Credits per year
• Expected course duration

5. Submit Income Evidence

If you’re assessed on household income, you or your parents/partner will need to provide evidence. Student Finance cross-references with HMRC, so ensure everything matches.

6. Wait for Confirmation

Processing typically takes 4-6 weeks. You’ll receive an entitlement letter confirming exactly what you’ll receive.

Pro Tip: Apply as early as possible. Part-time applications sometimes get less priority than full-time ones simply because there are fewer of them. Early submission means early confirmation.

Common Myths About Part-Time Study

Myth #1: “Part-time degrees are worth less than full-time” ➜ The degree certificate looks identical. Employers see the qualification, not how long you took to earn it. Many actually respect part-time graduates more for their time management skills.

Myth #2: “I can’t get living cost support as a part-time student” ➜ Since 2018, maintenance loans are available for part-time students on courses at 25%+ intensity. The amount scales with your intensity level.

Myth #3: “I have to be young to study part-time” ➜ Part-time study attracts more mature students than full-time does. You’ll be in good company, and universities increasingly design part-time courses with adult learners in mind.

Myth #4: “Part-time courses don’t offer the full university experience” ➜ You might not live in halls, but you still access libraries, societies, support services, and everything else. Many part-time students find they engage more deeply because they’re there by choice, not expectation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from part-time to full-time (or vice versa)?

Sometimes, but it’s not automatic. You’d need your university’s agreement and may need to reapply for student finance. Check with both your institution and Student Finance England before making changes.

How is the maintenance loan paid for part-time students?

Like full-time students, you receive payments at the start of each term, directly into your bank account. The amount per payment is proportional to your course intensity.

What happens if my course intensity changes year to year?

Your funding is recalculated annually. If you study more credits one year, your maintenance loan increases. Report any changes through your Student Finance account.

Can I work unlimited hours while studying part-time?

There’s no Student Finance restriction on working hours for UK/EU students. However, check with your university if there are any course-specific expectations, and be realistic about what you can manage.

Are there any courses I can’t study part-time?

Some courses - particularly medicine, dentistry, and certain healthcare degrees - are only offered full-time due to placement requirements. Check with universities directly for your subject area.

Do I repay my loan differently as a part-time student?

No. Repayment works the same way: nothing until you earn over the threshold (currently £25,000 for Plan 5 loans), then 9% of earnings above that. Whether you studied full-time or part-time makes no difference.

Making Part-Time Work Financially

Even with funding, you’ll want to budget carefully. Here’s a realistic picture:

Income While Studying

Most part-time students work alongside their studies. A 50% intensity course typically means:

• 2-3 days of lectures/study per week
• 3-4 days available for work
• Opportunity to maintain meaningful employment

Managing Cash Flow

Your maintenance loan arrives termly, but living costs are monthly. Open a separate bank account for your student finance, calculate your monthly allowance, and transfer that amount each month. This prevents the “rich at term start, broke at term end” problem.

Employer Support

Some employers offer:

• Study leave or flexible working
• Tuition contribution or sponsorship
• Day release arrangements
• Career development support

Ask your HR department. You might be surprised what’s available.

Ready to Start?

Part-time study offers a genuine path to a degree without sacrificing your income, family time, or existing commitments. With both tuition fee loans and maintenance loans now available, the financial barriers are lower than ever.

👉 Download the UniStart app to explore part-time courses and check your funding eligibility.

👉 Request a callback to discuss your options with an advisor who understands part-time study.

“Part-time study isn’t the easy option - it takes real commitment to study while working or raising a family. But that’s exactly why it’s worth respecting. If this is your path, you’ve got just as much right to funding as anyone else.”

• Radu Danila, Founder of UniStart