If you started before 2018
This information is for students who started their course on or after 1 September 2012, but before 1 September 2018. Find out what’s available if you started after then.
Tuition fees
You could get a loan and grant of up to £9,250 a year, depending on how much your course costs and where you’re studying. How much you get doesn't depend on your household income.
We pay your loan and grant directly to your university or college. You have to pay the loan back, including interest once you’ve finished or left your course and are earning over the threshold. You don't have to pay the grant back.
These tables show the maximum amount of loan and grant you can get depending on where you are studying.
2024 to 2025
| Where you’re studying | Maximum loan | Maximum grant |
|---|---|---|
| At a public university or college in Wales | £4,825 | £4,175 |
| At a public university or college in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland | £5,075 | £4,175 |
| At a private university or college anywhere in the UK | £6,165 | None |
2023 to 2024
| Where you’re studying | Maximum loan | Maximum grant |
|---|---|---|
| At a public university or college in Wales | £4,785 | £4,215 |
| At a public university or college in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland | £5,035 | £4,215 |
| At a private university or college anywhere in the UK | £6,165 | None |
Living costs
You could also get a mixture of loans and grants to help with your living costs. How much you get depends on your household income and where you live while studying.
Welsh Government Learning Grant
The maximum amount of WGLG available in 2024 to 2025 and 2023 to 2024 is £5,161 per year.
The more Welsh Government Learning Grant you get reduces the amount of Maintenance Loan you get.
Maintenance Loan
The following table shows the Maintenance Loan available for 2024 to 2025 and 2023 to 2024.
| Maximum loan available for 2024 to 2025 | Maximum loan available for 2023 to 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Living at home with your parents | £6,336 | £6,277 |
| Living away from parental home and studying outside London | £8,185 | £8,108 |
| Living away from parental home and studying in London | £11,465 | £11,357 |
| Studying overseas | £9,759 | £9,667 |
The figures in the tables are for illustrative purposes only. You’ll get a notification of entitlement letter which will tell you how much you'll get during the academic year.
You’ll need to let us know if your circumstances change during your course to make sure you’re getting the support you are entitled to.
We pay your Maintenance Loan and Grant into your bank account in 3 instalments, usually at the start of each term.
You have to pay your Maintenance Loan back, including interest once you’ve finished or left your course.
Final year students will get a lower rate of Maintenance Loan and Grant because the final term of their course is shorter.
Extra Help
If you have a disability or long-term health condition
You might be able to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance.
For more information, download the Disabled Students’ Allowance guide (Download PDF 1323KB, opens in new tab).
If you have children or adult dependents
You might be able to apply for:
If you’re studying abroad
You might be able to apply for a Travel Grant.
If you’re getting benefits or you’re over 60
You might be able to apply for a Special Support.
If your course is longer than 30 weeks and 3 days
You can get an extra amount of Maintenance Loan for each week to help with your living costs:
| 2024 to 2025 | 2023 to 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Living with your parents | £94 | £93 |
| Living away from parental home and studying outside London | £142 | £141 |
| Living away from parental home and studying in London | £181 | £179 |
You must be getting student finance that depends on your household income to qualify.
We’ll automatically award the additional amount of funding based on the course details provided by your university or college. Your entitlement will include the Long Courses Loan as part of your income assessed living costs support.