Everything You Need to Know About UK University Costs and Whether a Degree Is Worth It

Graduates in England leave university with more than £47,500 in student debt, according to the latest statistics. The amount borrowers owe when they first become eligible to repay has, on average, fallen slightly compared to the previous year despite rising tuition fees. University tuition fees in England rose to £9,535 per year in August 2025, up from the £9,250 that had been frozen since 2017. The fee will rise again to £9,790 in the 2026-27 academic year. The government announced in October 2025 that fees will increase every year in line with inflation, specifically the Retail Price Index minus mortgage payment interest (RPIx) measure. Different fees apply across the UK nations. In Northern Ireland, fees are capped at £4,855 per year for local students and £9,535 for students from elsewhere in the UK, rising to £4,985 and £9,790 respectively in 2026-27. Scottish students studying in Scotland pay no tuition fees, while other UK students pay £9,535, rising to £9,790. Student loans in the UK cover two components: a tuition fee loan equal to the full annual course cost, and a means-tested maintenance loan for living costs. The maximum maintenance loan varies by household income and whether students live at home, away from home outside London, or in London. Repayment begins when graduates earn above a threshold — currently £25,000 per year — and is calculated at 9% of earnings above that threshold. Loans accrue interest at the rate of inflation plus up to 3%, and any remaining balance is written off after 40 years.