University Costs

How much will your university or college course cost?

If you’re going to university or college the main costs you’ll have are:
tuition fees (the amount you are charged each year for your course)
living costs (money for accommodation, food, bills and books)
Your costs will vary depending on where you study and live.
Grants, bursaries and loans are available to help you with these costs.

Full-time student costs

Tuition fees
The maximum tuition fees a university or college can charge full-time students is:
£3,375 for 2011/12
£9,000 for new students in 2012/13

Help with university or college costs - full-time students

Loans to cover your tuition fees

You don’t have to pay tuition fees up front, you can get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the full cost. Your Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to your university or college. You’ll have to pay your Tuition Fee Loan back when you earn over a certain amount. See ‘Repaying student loans’ below for details.

Grants to help with your living costs

If you started a full-time course in 2010/11 or 2011/12 you can get a Maintenance Grant to help with living costs if your household income is £50,020 or less. If you start a full-time course from September 2012 you can get a Maintenance Grant if your household income is £42,600 or less. You don’t have to pay back Maintenance Grants.
A Special Support Grant is available instead of the Maintenance Grant if you're on benefits that take your household income into account. These are known as means-tested benefits and include Housing Benefit and Income Support.