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Career Progression & Student Loan Calculator

Model your entire career trajectory and see exactly how salary progression affects your lifetime student loan repayments. Compare different career paths and discover whether you'll repay in full or benefit from write-off.

Write-Off Expected

Based on your projected career path, you will NOT fully repay your loan before the 30-year write-off.

Total repayment: £38,759 (86.1% of original loan)

Write-off amount: £124,285

Never make voluntary overpayments - you would be reducing your write-off benefit!

£

Typical graduate starting salary

Age when loan repayments begin

£

Total undergraduate loan including interest

Steady growth plateauing around £45k

9% above threshold

Average interest rate over repayment period

Projection Summary

Peak salary:£48,000
Average salary:£41,650
Total repayment:£38,759
Write-off amount:£124,285

Career Salary Trajectory

Year 0:
£28,000
Year 5:
£34,250
Year 10:
£40,000
Year 15:
£45,000
Year 20:
£46,500
Year 25:
£48,000
Year 30:
£48,000
Starting (Year 0)
£28,000
Peak Salary
£48,000

Lifetime Repayment Breakdown

£45,000
Original Balance
£38,759
Total Repayment
£124,285
Write-Off Amount
Repayment Progress86.1%
0%50%100%

Key Career & Repayment Milestones

5 Years In
Age 27, Salary: £34,250
£2,068
repaid
10 Years In
Age 32, Salary: £40,000
£6,818
repaid
15 Years In
Age 37, Salary: £45,000
£13,885
repaid
20 Years In
Age 42, Salary: £46,500
£22,257
repaid
Final Year (30)
Age 51, Salary: £48,000
£38,759
repaid

Strategic Recommendations

✓ Write-Off Expected

You'll benefit from £124,285 write-off. Never make voluntary overpayments as you'd just be reducing this benefit.

→ Loan Balance Doesn't Matter

Since you won't repay in full, your total loan balance is irrelevant. Borrow what you need without worrying about the final amount.

→ Focus Elsewhere

Direct extra money to ISAs, pensions, house deposits, or emergency funds instead of student loan overpayments.

Understanding Career Progression Impact

Why Trajectory Matters

  • • Repayments based on income above threshold over 30-40 years
  • • Peak salary timing affects total repayment more than starting salary
  • • Early plateau careers benefit most from write-off
  • • Fast-track careers usually repay in full plus interest
  • • Interest compounds during low-earning years

Career Pattern Examples

  • Fast-Track: Investment banking, corporate law
  • Steady Climb: Medicine, senior engineering
  • Moderate: Teaching, nursing, public sector
  • Early Plateau: Creative fields, SME marketing
  • Late Bloomer: Entrepreneurs, academics

Using This Calculator Effectively

Try different patterns:

Compare how different career trajectories affect your lifetime repayment. The difference can be tens of thousands of pounds.

Account for career breaks:

Remember that time out for family, study, or career changes reduces repayments. Your projection assumes continuous work.

Consider location:

London salaries are typically 15-30% higher than other UK regions, which significantly impacts repayment outcomes.

Review regularly:

Your actual career may differ from projections. Review your situation every few years as your path becomes clearer.

Ready to Plan Your Financial Future?

Understanding your career trajectory helps you make better financial decisions about student loans, investing, and long-term planning.