Everything you need to know about university costs
With rising tuition fees and living costs, do higher graduate earnings cover the cost of a degree?
Universities in England and Wales levy a minimum annual tuition fee of £9,535, with an expected increase to £9,790 in 2026. Scotland offers free tuition for most students, while Northern Irish students face annual fees of £4,855 for domestic students, rising to £9,535 in 2026-27. In Northern Ireland, the cost for other UK students follows a similar pattern.
Tuition fees in England are scheduled to rise each year in line with inflation, starting from 2026. Maintenance loans are provided to offset living expenses, with the amount depending on family income and may not fully cover all costs. Interest accrues on the total loan from the day it is taken, but repayment begins once the borrower's income surpasses a certain threshold.
In England, repayment rules changed in 2023, potentially increasing the debt burden for current and future students over a longer period. Graduates in England graduating in 2026 owe an average of £47,730, a decrease from £53,000 in the previous year, mainly due to the introduction of Plan 5 loans in 2023, which accrue less interest.
In contrast, Scottish students generally have lower tuition fees, with most paying nothing, while Northern Irish students face higher fees compared to their Scottish counterparts. Despite rising living costs, a majority of undergraduate students still perceive their courses as offering good or very good value for money.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
