How do I pay for university?
Understanding fees and finance is an important part of planning for university. Most eligible UK students can apply for government-funded student loans to help cover tuition fees and living costs. This page explains undergraduate tuition fees, student finance, scholarships, bursaries and additional financial support available to eligible students.
How much are undergraduate tuition fees?
Tuition fees are the amount you pay to cover the cost of your education, such as the cost of teaching, access to facilities and student support services. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on your course, how you study (full-time or part-time), and whether you’re a UK or an international student.
UK undergraduate tuition fees are currently up to £9,790 per year, while international fees vary by course.
UK students
For most full-time undergraduate students in the UK, the tuition fee is a yearly cost set by the government. If you're studying part-time, the fee is worked out based on the number of modules or credits you take depending on your course, making it a flexible option for those balancing study with work or family life.
International students
If you're an international student, tuition fees are set by the University and vary depending on the course and subject area. These fees reflect the full cost of providing your education and include access to academic resources, facilities, and support services. You can find more information on our International Fees and Finance page.
Can I get a student loan in the UK?
Once you know how much university will cost, the next step is understanding how you can pay for it, which is where student finance comes in. In the UK, student finance is a government system which helps students cover the cost of university, including tuition fees and day-to-day living expenses.
You apply through a student finance organisation based on where you normally live:
- England: Student Finance England (SFE)
- Wales: Student Finance Wales
- Northern Ireland: Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Scotland: Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
There are two main types of financial support available:
Tuition fee loan
This covers the full cost of your course fees and is paid directly to Coventry University on your behalf.
Maintenance loan
This is paid into your bank account in regular instalments and helps with everyday costs like rent, food, travel and other living expenses.
The amount you can borrow for your maintenance loan depends on your household income, where you’ll be living while you study and a few other factors. There’s no need to repay any of these loans until after you’ve finished your course and are earning over a certain income threshold.
How do student loans work in the UK?
A UK student loan can help eligible students cover the cost of university study. Here are five key features of a UK student loan:
- You don’t pay upfront: your tuition fees are covered by the loan, so you don’t need thousands of pounds before starting university.
- You only repay when you earn enough: repayments only begin once you earn above the income threshold, and even then, it’s only 9% over the threshold. If you earn less, you don’t pay anything back until you cross the threshold.
- Repayments are affordable: what you repay is based on your income, not the size of your loan. It’s more like a graduate contribution than a traditional debt.
- Your loan is protected: if you lose your job, take a career break or your salary drops, your repayments stop automatically until you’re earning enough again.
- It won’t affect your credit score: student loans don’t appear on your credit report, so they won’t affect things like getting a car loan or mortgage in the future.
UK student finance explained - everything you need to know
Find out everything you need to know about student finance as a UK student before you start your journey to university.
What is the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) gives you access to a loan worth the equivalent of four years of study to use towards university degrees, modules or technical qualifications over your lifetime, as long as you live in England. It’s designed to make flexible and part-time study more affordable at any stage of life. You can start applying for LLE October 2026.
Sponsored students
If your tuition fees are being paid by a sponsor (e.g. employer), you must provide a sponsor letter before enrolment each academic year. The letter must:
- be on company letterhead
- include your name, student ID, course and academic year
- state the amount payable in GBP
- include contact and invoicing details
- be signed, dated and stamped.
When and how to apply
Applying for student finance is a straightforward process, but it’s important to start early to make sure your funding is in place before your course begins. If you’re applying through Student Finance England, you can start your application online. You don’t need to have a confirmed place at university to apply, just use your first-choice course and update it later if needed.
If you're applying for a maintenance loan, you’ll also need to give details about your household income so they can work out how much support you can get. After submitting your application, you can track its progress online, and you’ll be notified once it’s approved.
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1
Research eligibility
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2
Estimate your funding
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3
Submit required documents
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4
Track application progress
Additional support
We understand that not every student has the same circumstances. That’s why there is additional financial support available to help if you have children, a disability, or a lower household income.
If you’re a mature student returning to education, you’ll still get student finance in the same way as other undergraduates. You may also find it helpful to explore part-time or flexible study options if you're balancing work or family responsibilities.
Support for students with children
If you have children, you may be able to claim extra support, including a Childcare Grant to help with nursery or childcare costs, and the Parents’ Learning Allowance, which provides extra funding to help with study-related costs.
Support for carers
If you care for an adult (for example, a partner or relative), you may be eligible for the Adult Dependants’ Grant.
Support for disabled students
Students with disabilities or long-term health conditions can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which can help with the cost of equipment, support workers, and other study needs.
Support for low-income households
If you’re from a low-income household, you might be entitled to additional bursaries or grants to help with general costs. Some courses that involve travel (for example, a year abroad or a placement) may also qualify for a travel grant to help with additional transport or accommodation costs.
NHS Learning Support Fund
Every eligible student nurse will receive a minimum of £5,000 training grant for each study year via the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF). You won’t have to pay this back.
Additionally, you may also be eligible for up to £4,000 additional funding support depending on your circumstances, such as special subject payments and childcare or parental support.
Scholarships
Coventry University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries for eligible students to help reduce the cost of studying and may be based on academic performance, personal circumstances or financial need.
Receiving payments
Once your student finance has been approved, the tuition fee loan will be paid directly to Coventry University, so you don’t need to worry about sorting that yourself. Your maintenance loan will be paid into your bank account in three instalments, one at the beginning of each term.
Make sure that you’ve registered for your course and provided accurate bank details so that your payment isn’t delayed. If your application is late or still being processed when the term starts, you may be able to receive an initial payment to help with immediate costs until the rest of your loan is finalised.
You can manage and monitor your payments through your online student finance account. Here you can check payment dates, update your details, and keep track of your funding status.
When do I repay my student loan?
Repayments are taken automatically from your salary, so you don’t need to worry about sorting it yourself. If your income drops below the threshold, your repayments will stop until you’re earning enough again.
It’s important to remember that student loans don’t appear on your credit file and don’t affect your credit score. They’re more like a graduate contribution than a traditional debt.
Repayment terms, thresholds, conditions and any cancellation or write-off arrangements are determined by the relevant student finance authority and may change over time. Please check the GOV.UK website for the most up-to-date information.
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