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Making a successful student loans UK application (application for student loans in the United Kingdom) is the first and most decisive step to secure your academic path in the UK without compromising your future financial health.
When starting the student loans UK application process, many students encounter technical terms and difficulty in obtaining credit.
In this complete guide to the student loans UK application, we will look at all the critical information contained in the latest sector research. We will analyze the best available credit options. Keep reading.
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See the main UK student loan application options now
1. Tuition Fee Loan
The Tuition Fee Loan is the basis of public funding, and its main function is to cover 100% of undergraduate tuition fees.
In this case, the money never goes through the student’s account; it is transferred directly from the government to the university.
As a general rule, the maximum available amount is £9,250 per year for full-time courses.
For those studying part-time, the limit is £6,935, and for accelerated courses, it can reach £11,100.
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Furthermore, repayment follows the standard income rule: it only starts when the stipulated salary limit for your plan is exceeded, be it plan 1, 2, or 5.
2. Maintenance Loan (Student loans UK application)
While the Tuition Fee Loan pays for college, the Maintenance Loan is designed to support the student.
It is used to cover subsistence expenses such as rent, food, and transport.
Moreover, the amount released depends on where the student lives and their family income.
For the recent academic year, a student without extra benefits who lives with their parents can receive up to £8,877. If they live away from home, but outside London, the amount increases to £10,544.
Additionally, for those studying in London, where the cost of living is higher, the ceiling is £13,762. Students who qualify for social benefits can access even higher amounts, reaching £15,008 in London.
3. Master’s Loan
Exclusively focused on master’s degrees, this loan offers financial support that can be used both to pay course fees and for personal expenses, giving the student freedom to allocate the resource as they prefer.
As a general rule, for courses starting from August 1, 2025, the maximum amount is £12,858.
Unlike undergraduate loans, this amount does not depend on family income.
Furthermore, repayment is calculated as 6% of income exceeding £21,000 annually, and interest accrues at RPI plus 3%. The debt is cancelled after 30 years.
4. Doctoral Loan
For the highest level of academic training, the Doctorate or PhD, the government offers more robust support, reaching up to £30,301.
As with the master’s, the amount is paid directly to the student, who manages the use between fees and subsistence.
Please note that the repayment rules are identical to the master’s: 6% on income exceeding £21,000 and interest of RPI plus 3%.
This, without a doubt, is a vital tool for researchers who need exclusive dedication to their long-term projects.
5. Lendwise (Student loans UK application)
Entering the private institutions spectrum, Lendwise stands out for focusing on postgraduate students and professional courses.
Its great advantage is not requiring a guarantor, basing approval on the candidate’s future earning potential.
Furthermore, amounts vary from £5,000 to £100,000. The interest rate is fixed, which brings predictability; a representative example would be a rate of 11.62% per year.
Additionally, the repayment term can reach 10 years, and there is the possibility of a grace period of up to 6 months after the end of the course before payments begin.
6. Prodigy Finance
Prodigy Finance is a tailor-made option for international students who wish to study in the UK but encounter traditional banking barriers.
They do not require collateral or guarantors and can finance up to 100% of the total study costs.
In addition, the credit limit is high, potentially reaching US$220,000. Interest rates are variable, starting at approximately 8.34% APR, but can reach around 14.68% depending on the profile.
Also note that the repayment term extends up to 15 years, with a grace period covering the entire course period plus an additional 6 to 12 months.
Future Finance
Future Finance operates by analyzing the student’s individual financial profile to offer loans that cover both tuition and living costs.
The amounts are defined on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, interest rates tend to be higher than governmental options, varying between 11.99% and 24.99% per year.
Moreover, repayment terms are shorter, ranging from 6 months to 5 years.
7. Barclays International Student Loan
For those who are already Barclays bank customers and participate in the Blue Rewards program, this specific line of credit exists.
It is certainly necessary to maintain a current account and make monthly deposits.
Keep in mind that the amount released depends on individual credit approval, but is generally sufficient to cover fees and maintenance.
In addition, the interest rate is competitive for the private sector, hovering around 6.1% APR.
This is also a solid option for those who already have a banking relationship in the UK and are looking for lower rates than those offered by specialized finance companies.
8. NatWest Student Loan
NatWest offers loans to customers who have resided in the UK for at least three years, which limits access for newly arrived international students.
There are modalities for both fees and subsistence.
Also keep in mind that an interesting differential is that repayment follows a similar model to the public one: 9% of income above the applicable threshold, although the exact interest terms are defined by the bank.
Comparative Table of UK Student Loans
| Option | Main Objective | Maximum Amount |
| Tuition Fee Loan | Undergraduate Fees | £9,250/year |
| Maintenance Loan | Cost of Living | Up to £15,008 (London) |
| Part-time Loan | Part-time Undergraduate | £6,935/year (fees) |
| Master’s Loan | Master’s Degree | £12,858 |
| Doctoral Loan | Doctorate | £30,301 |
| Lendwise | Private Postgraduate | £100,000 |
| Prodigy Finance | International | US$ 220,000 |
| Future Finance | Financial Profile | Variable |
| Barclays | Blue Rewards Customers | Bank Limit |
| NatWest | UK Residents > 3 years | Variable |
Conclusion (Student loans UK application)
Student loans in the United Kingdom represent a sophisticated system designed to balance access to education and fiscal responsibility.
Public options offer an unparalleled safety net with payments conditioned on professional success. While the private market provides the complementary capital necessary for higher ambitions or international profiles.
Choosing the right path for your student loans UK application requires an honest assessment of your future earning capacity and the conditions of each plan.
Don’t leave it until the last minute. Evaluate today which plan aligns with your career goals, run simulations with income limits, and start your application with the certainty that you are investing in your greatest asset: your education.
If none of these credits are interesting to you, you can use a personal loans bad credit UK to receive a higher amount.