I already live in the UK

Study a degree in the UK without paying the fees out of your own pocket

If you live here, Student Finance can pay your tuition fees and lend you money to live on while you study. We help you choose a degree, prepare your application and apply for funding, in your language and step by step.

Can I apply? 1-minute test → Let's talk on WhatsApp

Tuition feesPaid to the university

To live on, each yearup to £14,135in London, depending on your situation

You repayonly if you earn over £25,000

Who it's for

Is it for you? Probably yes

These are the general requirements. Every case is different: that's why we check yours with you before you apply.

Your situation

You're British or Irish, or you have settled or pre-settled status.

3 years here

You've lived in the UK for 3 years on the day your course starts. With pre-settled status, the European Economic Area, Switzerland and Gibraltar also count.

With or without qualifications

Whether or not you've studied before, here or in your country, we check with you and find the option that fits.

Any age

If you have pre-settled status: you normally get the tuition fee loan. For the loan to live on, you normally need to be working in the UK (you, your partner or a close family member) and keep working while you study. We explain it in this guide.

Check your funding

We do not ask for personal details or documents. These answers are not sent or saved.

When does your course start?

How old will you be when you start?

Course type

Is your home in England?

What is your status?

Will you meet the 3-year qualifying residence requirement?

Normally the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for settled status or British/Irish citizenship; other territories and exceptions need checking for pre-settled status and EU migrant workers.

Do you, your partner or a close family member work in the UK?

Have you received Student Finance funding before?

Will you attend regularly in person on weekdays?

For courses starting before 1 January 2027, the Tuition Fee Loan has no upper age limit. If you are 60 or over at the start of the first academic year, eligible full-time living-cost support is up to £4,582 in 2026/27, depending on household income. Most courses starting on or after 1 January 2027 use the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). You must be under 60 on the first day of the course to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. At 60 or over, an additional living-cost loan may be available: we review this with you.For courses starting before 1 January 2027, the Tuition Fee Loan has no upper age limit. If you are 60 or over at the start of the first academic year, eligible full-time living-cost support is up to £4,582 in 2026/27, depending on household income. Most courses starting on or after 1 January 2027 use the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). You must be under 60 on the first day of the course to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. At 60 or over, an additional living-cost loan may be available: we review this with you.Official source

Work out your case

How much you'd get, and how much you'd repay

How much could you get?

Depending on where you live, your age and your family. With the payments each term and the total for your degree.

How much would you repay each month?

Move your salary and see the real repayment. On £30,000 a year, for example, it's £37.50 a month.

What you can study

Degrees for what you really enjoy

You don't need to know the exact name of the degree. Start with what interests you.

Business and finance Technology and computing Health and social care Law Psychology and mental health Education and childhood Construction and architecture Design, fashion and arts Tourism and hospitality

See all subject areas and open intakes →

Haven't studied for years?

Start with a Foundation Year

Many degrees start with a preparation year designed for people like you: they value your experience and your CV more than your grades. Pass it and you go straight into the degree.

TodayYou take the step
Foundation Year1 year of preparation
Year 1of your degree
Year 2of your degree
Year 3of your degree
🎓 Your Britishdegree

Study and work

Your week, compatible with your job

Many degrees are organised around about 2 days of classes a week on campus, mornings or afternoons, depending on the course. Attendance is compulsory: it's one of the conditions of the loan.

MonWork

TueClass

WedWork

ThuClass

FriWork

SatYour life

SunYour life

A rough example. Days and times depend on each course and university. A course with classes only at weekends normally doesn't meet the requirements for the loan to live on.

Your documents

What you'll need

You upload everything from your phone in “My application”, and we check it before it's sent.

Create my free account →

The course you wantchoose it in the course finder or ask us
Your CVyour studies and your experience
Your passportin date
Proof of addressfor your address in England
Your settled or pre-settled statuswith your share code

With you, step by step

From your first message to your first day of class

You tell us about your situationOn WhatsApp or in “My application”.
We choose a courseAnd an open intake that suits you.
You upload your documentsFrom your phone. We check them with you.
AdmissionWe prepare you for the test or the interview.
Student FinanceWe're with you through the application until you enrol.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask us most

Can't find your question here? Message us on WhatsApp.

Can I apply if I have pre-settled status?

Normally you can apply for the tuition fee loan if you've lived for 3 years in the UK, the European Economic Area, Switzerland or Gibraltar. For the loan to live on, you normally need to be working in the UK (you, your partner or a close family member) and keep working during the course. We check it with you.

How many days do I have to go to class?

It depends on the course, but many degrees are organised around about 2 days a week on campus. Attendance is compulsory: if you stop going, payments can be stopped.

Can I keep working while I study?

Yes. Lots of people work and study at the same time. We choose a course with a timetable that fits with you.

What if I receive Universal Credit?

Studying full time normally changes your Universal Credit: you can only keep receiving it in some cases, for example if you have dependent children or if you live with a partner who is entitled to it. We check it with you before you start.

Is there an age limit?

What if I've never studied or have no qualifications?

Many degrees start with a Foundation Year, a preparation year in which your experience counts. We help you find one that suits you.

What happens if they say no?

We look at why with you and find other options: another university, another course or another intake.

Your degree is closer than you think

Tell us about your situation and we'll tell you, with no obligation, what options you have.

Let's talk on WhatsApp → Find my course

Our advice is free: we are paid by our partners, not by you. Admission is decided by each university, and funding by Student Finance England.

Indicative funding

Most courses starting on or after 1 January 2027 use the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). You must be under 60 on the first day of the course to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. At 60 or over, an additional living-cost loan may be available: we review this with you.

If the course has not been confirmed as LLE-funded, check it with us.

Student Finance England makes the decision. We help you check.

Rules, dates and official sources

The usual total LLE tuition entitlement is up to £39,160. Previous public tuition funding is normally deducted. Some qualifications, such as medicine, nursing or social work, may receive additional funding; this is not an automatic exception to the age limit. Official source

British or Irish citizens and people with settled status, a home in England and 3 years of qualifying continuous residence can normally apply for tuition and maintenance support, subject to course and age conditions. The reference date depends on the scheme. Living in the UK alone does not establish eligibility. Official source

With pre-settled status, tuition support may normally be available subject to residence and course conditions. Maintenance normally requires a qualifying EU migrant worker route: you, your partner or an eligible family member, with genuine work that is not marginal and continues during study. Student Finance also assesses exceptions and the family relationship. Official source

Maintenance normally requires regular in-person weekday attendance. Weekend-only or online attendance is not enough; we check applicable exceptions, including disability exceptions. Official source

Previous study does not rule you out: it depends on what you studied, whether you received UK funding and the course. We review it with you. Official source

Postgraduate study has different funding, such as the Postgraduate Master’s Loan. It normally requires you to be under 60 at the start of the first academic year. An integrated master’s, PGCE or postgraduate healthcare course may follow other rules: the course needs checking. Official source

Checked: 2026-10-25

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