If you’re planning to go to university in the UK, you’re probably wondering how much money you’ll get to live on. The answer isn’t the same across the country. Student maintenance loans - the money you get to cover rent, food, and bills while studying - are calculated differently in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Even if you’re applying to the same university, your funding could vary wildly depending on where you live before you start.
England: Income-Dependent, with a Cap
In England, your maintenance loan amount is based on your household income and where you’ll be studying. If you live at home, you get less. If you live away from home, especially in London, you get more. The maximum loan for the 2025/26 academic year is £10,978 for students living outside London and £14,370 for those in London. These numbers go up each year with inflation.
The formula is simple: the higher your household income, the less you get. If your parents earn under £25,000, you’ll get the full amount. For every £1,000 above that, your loan drops by about £3.50. So if your household income hits £44,000, you get nothing beyond the minimum £3,907. That’s the floor - no matter how rich your family is, you still get at least that much.
Students from low-income families can also get extra help through the Maintenance Grant, though it’s been phased out for new students since 2016. Now, everyone gets a loan - no grants. That means you’ll be paying it back later, even if you got the minimum.
Scotland: Free Tuition, But Less Living Support
Scotland handles things differently. Scottish students studying in Scotland don’t pay tuition fees - that’s covered by the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). But the maintenance loan? It’s smaller than in England.
In 2025/26, the maximum maintenance loan for a Scottish student living away from home is £8,100. That’s about £3,000 less than what an English student gets in London. The loan is still income-tested, but the thresholds are lower. If your household income is under £34,000, you get the full amount. Above that, it drops gradually until it hits £1,500 for incomes over £56,000.
There’s also a separate £1,500 Young Student Bursary for students under 25 with household incomes under £34,000. It doesn’t need to be paid back. But here’s the catch: if you’re from England, Wales, or Northern Ireland and study in Scotland, you don’t get free tuition. You get the same loan as English students, but without the tuition fee discount.
Wales: Higher Loan, But You Pay It Back More
Wales gives students the highest maintenance loan in the UK - up to £13,988 for those living away from home in 2025/26. That’s even more than London rates in England. But there’s a trade-off: half of that loan is a grant, and half is a loan.
So if you get the full £13,988, £6,994 is free money. The other £6,994 is a loan you repay. The grant part doesn’t depend on income - you get it if you’re a Welsh student studying anywhere in the UK. The loan part is income-tested, just like in England.
Household income under £25,000? You get the full grant and loan. Above £25,000, the loan amount drops. If your family earns over £50,000, you still get the £6,994 grant - but the loan part shrinks to zero. That means you get £6,994 free, and nothing to pay back.
Wales also offers a £1,000 non-repayable Living Cost Support Grant for students with household incomes under £25,000. It’s automatic if you qualify for the main package. Most Welsh students end up with more total support than their English peers - and often pay less back in the long run.
Northern Ireland: Middle Ground, But Complicated
Northern Ireland sits between England and Wales in terms of support. The maximum maintenance loan for 2025/26 is £10,155 for students living away from home. That’s less than Wales, but more than Scotland.
The loan is income-tested, with the full amount available if your household income is under £25,000. It drops by £3.50 for every £1,000 above that, similar to England. The minimum you can get is £4,000.
There’s also a non-repayable Maintenance Grant of up to £1,500 for students with household incomes under £25,000. It’s not automatic - you have to apply for it separately. Many students miss out because they don’t know it exists.
One unique rule: if you’re from Northern Ireland but study in England, Scotland, or Wales, you still get your Northern Ireland loan amount - not the local rate. That means you might get less than other students at the same university. If you’re from England and study in Northern Ireland, you get the English loan amount, not the local one.
What Counts as Household Income?
No matter where you live, the calculation depends on the same core numbers: your parents’ or partner’s income, and sometimes your own if you’re independent. It includes wages, benefits, pensions, and rental income. It does not include child benefit, disability living allowance, or student loans.
If you’re over 25, married, or have dependents, you might be considered independent. That means only your own income counts - not your parents’. That can make a big difference if you’ve been working for a few years.
For students with separated parents, only the income of the parent you live with or who provides the most financial support is used. If you’re estranged from both parents, you can apply for independent status - but you’ll need proof like a letter from a social worker or court document.
When Do You Get the Money?
Regardless of where you are, maintenance loans are paid in three installments - one at the start of each term. The first payment usually arrives a few days before your course starts. You’ll need a UK bank account to receive it.
Some students get their money late because they didn’t submit proof of enrollment or their household income details were incomplete. Always submit your application by the deadline - May 21 for new students, June 30 for returning ones. Missing it can delay your first payment by weeks.
What Happens If You Change Your Mind?
If you drop out, switch universities, or take a break, your funding gets recalculated. You might have to pay back part of the loan if you were overpaid. For example, if you studied for only one term and got three installments, you’ll owe the difference.
If you move from living at home to living away from home mid-year, you can apply for an increase. It’s not automatic - you need to contact your funding body and provide proof of your new address.
Key Differences Summary
| Region | Max Loan (Away from Home) | Max Grant (Non-Repayable) | Household Income Threshold for Full Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | £14,370 (London) £10,978 (elsewhere) |
£0 | £25,000 |
| Scotland | £8,100 | £1,500 (Young Student Bursary) | £34,000 |
| Wales | £6,994 | £6,994 | £25,000 |
| Northern Ireland | £10,155 | £1,500 (separate application) | £25,000 |
Wales gives you the most total support - and the most free money. England gives you the highest loan if you’re in London, but nothing is free. Scotland gives you free tuition but less living money. Northern Ireland is in the middle, but many students miss out on the grant because they don’t apply for it.
What You Should Do Next
Don’t wait until the last minute. Go to your regional student finance website and use their online calculator:
- England: gov.uk/student-finance-calculator
- Scotland: saas.gov.uk
- Wales: studentfinancewales.co.uk
- Northern Ireland: nisra.gov.uk/student-finance
Even if you think your family earns too much, enter the numbers anyway. You might still qualify for more than you expect. And if you’re unsure about your status - like if your parents are separated or you’re living independently - call the helpline. They can walk you through it.
Student finance isn’t just about loans. It’s about knowing what’s free, what’s repayable, and how to get the most out of the system. The rules are messy, but they’re not impossible. Get the facts, apply early, and don’t assume you’re not eligible. Many students leave thousands of pounds on the table because they didn’t ask the right questions.
Do I get more money if I study in London?
Yes - but only if you’re from England. Students from England studying in London get the highest maintenance loan (£14,370 in 2025/26). Students from Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland get their home region’s rate, not London’s. So if you’re from Wales and study in London, you still get Wales’ maximum, not London’s.
Can I get extra help if I have a disability?
Yes. All four UK nations offer additional funding for students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or mental health needs. This is called the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). It’s not income-tested and doesn’t need to be paid back. You can apply for it alongside your main student finance application.
What if my parents’ income changes during the year?
If your household income drops by 15% or more - say, because of job loss or reduced hours - you can apply for a current year income assessment. This lets you get a revised loan amount based on your new income, not last year’s. You’ll need proof like payslips or a letter from your employer.
Do I have to repay the grant part in Wales?
No. In Wales, half of your maintenance support is a grant - that’s free money. You only repay the loan part. So if you get the full £13,988, you repay £6,994, not the whole amount. This makes Welsh students among the least burdened by debt after graduation.
Can international students get maintenance loans?
No. Maintenance loans are only available to UK nationals who have lived in the UK for at least three years before starting university. EU, EEA, and international students don’t qualify for these loans, though some may be eligible for university-specific scholarships.