Frequently Asked Questions
How does the calculator work?
If you are a student with a plan 1, 2, 4, 5 or postgraduate student loan, you only make repayments if your pre-tax salary is above the repayment threshold. Your repayment totals 9% of your earnings above the threshold on plan 1, 2, 4 or 5 or 6% of your earnings above the threshold if you are on a postgraduate plan.
This calculator uses the inputs about your student loan debt and a number of assumptions to calculate your repayments each year. The calculator adjusts for future increases in your income, changes to the thresholds and the interest that accrues on your loan.
When do you start repaying?
The earliest you’ll start repaying is either:
- The April after you leave your course
- The April 4 years after the course started, if you’re studying part-time
- You stop working
- Your income goes below the threshold
- You repay your student loan balance
- Your student loan balance is written off
What are Plan 1 loans?
Plan 1 Loans are a type of UK student loan. You’re on Plan 1 if you’re:
- An English or Welsh student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK before 1 September 2012
- A Northern Irish student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 1998. Northern Ireland still uses Plan 1 loans.
- An EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 1998, but before 1 September 2012
- An EU student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Northern Ireland on or after 1 September 1998
What are Plan 2 loans?
Plan 2 loans are a type of UK student loan. You’re on Plan 2 if you’re:
- A Student Finance England funded student who started an undergraduate course between 1 September 2012 and 31 July 2023
- A Student Finance Wales funded student who started an undergraduate course on or after 1 September 2012
- Someone who took out a Student Finance England Advanced Learner Loan before 1 August 2023
- Other exceptions apply. See the full GOV.UK eligibility guidance.
What are Plan 4 loans?
Plan 4 loans are for eligible students funded through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). You’re on Plan 4 if you’re:
- A Scottish student funded through SAAS who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 1998
- An eligible EU student funded through SAAS who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Scotland on or after 1 September 1998
What are Plan 5 loans?
Plan 5 Loans are a newer type of UK student loan introduced in 2023, for English Students. You’re on Plan 5 if you’re:
- A student funded by Student Finance England who started an undergraduate or PGCE course, or an Advanced Learner Loan, on or after 1 August 2023
What are the repayment thresholds?
You only make repayments towards your student loan balance if your salary is above the repayment threshold. The threshold depends on the loan plan you are on and the thresholds are subject to change every year. The following thresholds are correct for the 2026/27 tax year (6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027).
If you have a Plan 1 student loan:
You’ll only repay when your income is over £517 a week, £2,241 a month or £26,900 a year (before tax and other deductions).
If you have a Plan 2 student loan:
You’ll only repay when your income is over £565 a week, £2,448 a month or £29,385 a year (before tax and other deductions).
If you have a Plan 4 student loan:
You’ll only repay when your income is over £649 a week, £2,816 a month or £33,795 a year (before tax and other deductions).
If you have a Plan 5 student loan:
You’ll only repay when your income is over £480 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year (before tax and other deductions).
If you’re on a Postgraduate Loan repayment plan:
If you took out a Master’s Loan or a Doctoral Loan, you’ll only repay when your income is over £403 a week, £1,750 a month or £21,000 a year (before tax and other deductions).
If you have a Plan 1 student loan:
You’ll only repay when your income is over £517 a week, £2,241 a month or £26,900 a year (before tax and other deductions).
If you have a Plan 2 student loan:
You’ll only repay when your income is over £565 a week, £2,448 a month or £29,385 a year (before tax and other deductions).
If you have a Plan 4 student loan:
You’ll only repay when your income is over £649 a week, £2,816 a month or £33,795 a year (before tax and other deductions).
If you have a Plan 5 student loan:
You’ll only repay when your income is over £480 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year (before tax and other deductions).
If you’re on a Postgraduate Loan repayment plan:
If you took out a Master’s Loan or a Doctoral Loan, you’ll only repay when your income is over £403 a week, £1,750 a month or £21,000 a year (before tax and other deductions).
What is the difference between a loan and a grant/bursary?
You only make repayments on:
- Tuition Fee Loans
- Maintenance Loans
- Postgraduate Loans
Can I repay more quickly?
You can make extra repayments at any time without a penalty, but they cannot be refunded. They may not save money if your balance would be written off before you repay it in full, so use the calculator’s overpayment scenario to compare the outcomes.
When is the remaining loan written off?
For plans with a year-based write-off, the term starts from the April when you were first due to repay. Plan 2 loans are written off after 30 years, Plan 5 loans after 40 years, and Postgraduate Loans in England and Wales after 30 years. Plan 1 and Plan 4 depend on when you first received the loan. See the official guidance for the dates and exceptions.