Student fees and finance
Understanding student fees and finance is a crucial step in planning your university journey. The information provided on this page provides everything you need to know about undergraduate tuition fees, funding options and financial support available.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are the amount you pay to cover the cost of your education. This includes lectures, learning materials, access to facilities, student support services, and more. The exact amount you’ll pay depends on your course, how you study (full-time or part-time), and whether you’re a UK or international student.
For most full-time undergraduate students in the UK, the tuition fee is a yearly cost set by the government. If you're studying part-time, the price is worked out based on the number of modules or credits you take, making it a flexible option for those balancing study with work or family life.
If you're an international student, tuition fees are set by the university and vary depending on the course and subject area. These fees reflect the full cost of providing your education and include access to academic resources, facilities, and support services. You can find more information on our International Fees and Finance page.
Student finance in the UK
Once you know how much university will cost, the next step is understanding how you can pay for it, which is where student finance comes in. In the UK, student finance is a government system which helps students cover the cost of university, including tuition fees and day-to-day living expenses.
You apply through a student finance organisation based on where you normally live:
- England: Student Finance England (SFE)
- Wales: Student Finance Wales
- Northern Ireland: Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Scotland: Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
There are two main types of financial support available:
Tuition fee loan
This covers the full cost of your course fees and is paid directly to Coventry University on your behalf.
Maintenance loan
This is paid into your bank account in regular instalments and helps with everyday costs like rent, food, travel, and other living expenses.
The amount you can borrow for your maintenance loan depends on your household income, where you’ll be living while you study, and a few other factors. There’s no need to repay any of these loans until after you’ve finished your course and are earning over a certain income threshold.
As well as government support, Coventry University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries. This is money you don’t have to pay back, to help reduce the cost of studying and may be based on academic performance, personal circumstances, or financial need.
Key benefits of a UK student loan
Using student finance is a great way to fund your studies. Here are five key benefits for using a UK student loan:
You don’t pay upfront: your tuition fees are covered by the loan, so you don’t need thousands of pounds before starting university.
You only repay when you earn enough: repayments only begin once you earn above the income threshold, and even then, it’s only 9% over the threshold. If you earn less, you don’t pay anything back until you cross the threshold.
Repayments are affordable: what you repay is based on your income, not the size of your loan. It’s more like a graduate contribution than a traditional debt.
Your loan is protected: if you lose your job, take a career break or your salary drops, your repayments stop automatically until you’re earning enough again.
It won’t affect your credit score: student loans don’t appear on your credit report, so they won’t affect things like getting a car loan or mortgage in the future.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) gives you access to a loan worth the equivalent of four years of study (£37,000+) to use towards university degrees, modules, or technical qualifications over your lifetime, as long as you live in England. It’s designed to make flexible and part-time study more affordable at any stage of life. You can start applying for LLE as of September 2026.
Self-funding your course
If you’re not using a student loan, you can self-fund your course by:
- Paying in full
- Using our three-instalment payment plan (for courses over 30 credits)
Sponsored students
If your tuition fees are being paid by a sponsor (e.g. employer), you must provide a sponsor letter before enrolment each academic year. The letter must:
- be on company letterhead
- include your name, student ID, course, and academic year
- state the amount payable in GBP
- include contact and invoicing details
- be signed, dated and stamped.
When and how to apply
Applying for student finance is a straightforward process, but it’s important to start early to make sure your funding is in place before your course begins. If you’re applying through Student Finance England, you can start your application online. You don’t need to have a confirmed place at university to apply, just use your first-choice course and update it later if needed.
providing any necessary evidence such as proof of identity. If you're applying for a maintenance loan, you’ll also need to give details about your household income so they can work out how much support you can get. After submitting your application, you can track its progress online, and you’ll be notified once it’s approved.
The following timeline assumes a September start date. Timeline will vary depending on your start date.
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1
February/March
Applications open! Apply online through Student Finance England (or Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland). You don’t need a confirmed university place yet. You can use your first-choice university/course and update the details at a later date.
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2
April/May
Aim to get your application submitted by the deadline (usually May). This makes sure your money is ready for the start of term. -
3
June/July
Update your details if your university or course changes. Double-check your documents are submitted on time to avoid delays.
-
4
August/September
Results day and enrolment! Confirm your place at university. Student finance will finalise your application and send you a letter with your payment schedule.
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5
September/October
It’s now time to start your university adventure. Your maintenance loan is paid directly into your bank account once you’ve enrolled. Tuition fees are sent straight to your university.
You must apply by the deadline to guarantee that your money is ready when your course starts. Even if you're unsure of your plans, it’s better to apply early and amend your application later.
Research eligibility: Check if you qualify for student finance
Estimate your funding: Use the student finance calculator
Create an SFE account and apply: Start your application
Submit required documents: Check what ID you need
Track application progress: View current application timescales
Additional support
We understand that not every student has the same circumstances. That’s why there is additional financial support available to help if you have children, a disability, or a lower household income.
If you’re a mature student returning to education, you’ll still get student finance in the same way as other undergraduates. You may also find it helpful to explore part-time or flexible study options if you're balancing work or family responsibilities.
If you have children, you may be able to claim extra support, including a Childcare Grant to help with nursery or childcare costs, and the Parents’ Learning Allowance, which provides extra funding to help with study-related costs.
If you care for an adult (for example, a partner or relative), you may be eligible for the Adult Dependants’ Grant. Students with disabilities or long-term health conditions can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which can help with the cost of equipment, support workers, and other study needs.
If you’re from a low-income household, you might be entitled to additional bursaries or grants to help with general costs. Some courses that involve travel (for example, a year abroad or a placement) may also qualify for a travel grant to help with additional transport or accommodation costs.
Every eligible student nurse will receive a minimum of £5,000 training grant for each study year via the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF). You won’t have to pay this back.
Additionally, you may also be eligible for up to £4,000 additional funding support depending on your circumstances, such as special subject payments and childcare or parental support.
Receiving payments
Once your student finance has been approved, the tuition fee loan will be paid directly to Coventry University, so you don’t need to worry about sorting that yourself. Your maintenance loan will be paid into your bank account in three instalments, one at the beginning of each term.
Make sure that you’ve registered for your course and provided accurate bank details so that your payment isn’t delayed. If your application is late or still being processed when the term starts, you may be able to receive an initial payment to help with immediate costs until the rest of your loan is finalised.
You can manage and monitor your payments through your online student finance account. Here you can check payment dates, update your details, and keep track of your funding status.
Repayment
You don’t start repaying your student loan until you’ve finished your course and you’re earning above £25,000 a year. For most students in England, you’ll repay 9% of what you earn over the threshold, not your whole income. So that would mean if you’re earning £26,000 per year, you’ll only pay back £90 per year, or just £7.50 per month.
Repayments are taken automatically from your salary, so you don’t need to worry about sorting it yourself. If your income drops below the threshold, your repayments will stop until you’re earning enough again. After 40 years, any remaining balance is written off, even if you haven’t repaid the full amount.
It’s important to remember that student loans don’t appear on your credit file and don’t affect your credit score. They’re more like a graduate contribution than a traditional debt.
Fees and finance FAQs
Answers to common questions about tuition fees, loans, budgeting, and financial support for university students.
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