Tuition Fee Loan

What it is

A tuition fee loan is funding from Student Finance England that covers the annual cost of your course. Instead of paying the university upfront, SFE sends the agreed amount directly to the institution each term.

You can borrow up to the maximum regulated fee for Home students, currently £9,250 per year for most undergraduate courses. Interest accrues from the day SFE makes the first payment, but you only repay when your income crosses the repayment threshold.

Why it matters

The tuition fee loan removes the biggest upfront cost of studying in the UK. It lets you focus on your course while spreading repayment over your future career. Without it, you would need to self-fund or secure a private loan, which often carries higher interest.

Keeping your course details correct ensures universities receive payments on time. Late updates can lead to unpaid invoices and suspension letters, so communicate any changes immediately.

Common mistakes

• Cancelling direct debit mandates: Even though payments are deducted from salary, SFE requires an active direct debit in case your employer misses a deduction.
• Assuming part-time courses get full funding: Loan amounts scale with your study intensity, so confirm the percentage with your university.
• Missing reapplication reminders: Continuing students must update SFE each academic year, even if nothing changes.

How UniStart helps

UniStart keeps a record of your course details and reminds you when to reapply for funding. Advisors can also explain how tuition fee loans interact with maintenance support and what to expect on your first repayment statement.

Next steps

• Use the UniStart checklist to submit your tuition fee loan application well before term starts.
• Book a free advisor call if you plan to change courses or modes of study.
• Read our repayment explainer so you understand how deductions work once you graduate.