What are the UK student loan thresholds for 2026/27?

Plan 1 starts at £26,900, Plan 2 at £29,385, Plan 4 (Scotland) at £33,795, Plan 5 (new from 2023 starts) at £25,000, and the Postgraduate Loan at £21,000. Above the threshold you repay 9% (or 6% for Postgraduate).

Which student loan plan am I on?

Plan 1 if you started before September 2012 (England, Wales, NI). Plan 2 if you started from 2012 to 2022 in England or Wales. Plan 4 if you took a Scottish loan since 2007. Plan 5 if you started a new English course from August 2023. Postgraduate is separate and runs alongside any of the above.

When does my student loan get written off?

Plan 1: 25 years after the April you became eligible, or at 65. Plan 2: 30 years. Plan 4: 30 years (35 if pre-2007 SAAS). Plan 5: 40 years. Postgraduate: 30 years. Many graduates with Plan 2 will never repay in full.

Are student loan repayments tax-deductible?

No. Repayments are taken from your post-tax pay (PAYE) or after the income tax + NIC bill (Self Assessment). They don't reduce your taxable income.

Student Loan Repayment Calculator 2026/27

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Student loan

Annual repayment

£775

About £65/mo deducted from your pay

2026/27 rates · Last checked May 2026 · Sources in page details

Breakdown by plan

Plan 2

9% on income above £29,385 · £8,615 taxable

£775

2026/27 thresholds

Plan 1

£26,900

9% above threshold

Plan 2

£29,385

9% above threshold

Plan 4

£33,795

9% above threshold

Plan 5

£25,000

9% above threshold

Postgraduate

£21,000

6% above threshold

Estimates onlyShow

Calculations use HMRC published rates for education and illustration. They are not regulated financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify against your own tax position before filing or making financial decisions.

Background reading

UK student loans in 2026/27

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Student loans are repaid through PAYE or Self Assessment as a percentage of income above a plan-specific threshold. The Department for Education raised the Plan 2 and Plan 4 thresholds for 2026/27 by inflation; Plan 5 (for English starts from August 2023) reaches its first repayments this year. Postgraduate runs separately at 6%.

What are the UK student loan thresholds for 2026/27?
Plan 1 starts at £26,900, Plan 2 at £29,385, Plan 4 (Scotland) at £33,795, Plan 5 (new from 2023 starts) at £25,000, and the Postgraduate Loan at £21,000. Above the threshold you repay 9% (or 6% for Postgraduate).
Which student loan plan am I on?
Plan 1 if you started before September 2012 (England, Wales, NI). Plan 2 if you started from 2012 to 2022 in England or Wales. Plan 4 if you took a Scottish loan since 2007. Plan 5 if you started a new English course from August 2023. Postgraduate is separate and runs alongside any of the above.
When does my student loan get written off?
Plan 1: 25 years after the April you became eligible, or at 65. Plan 2: 30 years. Plan 4: 30 years (35 if pre-2007 SAAS). Plan 5: 40 years. Postgraduate: 30 years. Many graduates with Plan 2 will never repay in full.
Are student loan repayments tax-deductible?
No. Repayments are taken from your post-tax pay (PAYE) or after the income tax + NIC bill (Self Assessment). They don't reduce your taxable income.

Privacy, sources & last reviewed14 May 2026 · Show

Privacy and independence

Built and maintained by Afterax as an independent educational UK tax calculator project. Calculations run in your browser using HMRC 2026/27 rates. Inputs can be saved on this device and included in share links.

Sources

Bands, thresholds and reliefs come from official sources and are checked when a Budget or in-year change is announced.

Last reviewed 14 May 2026 · updated for 2026/27 · view changelog →