Compare Student Loan Plans
Side-by-side comparisons of different UK student loan plans to help you understand the differences. Most graduates want to know how their old loan stacks up against the current system, covered in our plan 1 vs plan 2 student loan comparison, or how the two most recent plans differ, in plan 2 vs plan 5 student loan comparison.
Plan Comparisons
Plan 2 vs Plan 5
Compare 2012-2023 loans (Plan 2) with the newer 2023 onwards loans (Plan 5). Understand key differences in thresholds, interest rates, and repayment terms.
Plan 1 vs Plan 2
Compare pre-2012 loans (Plan 1) with 2012-2023 loans (Plan 2). See differences in interest rates, repayment thresholds, and long-term costs.
Undergraduate vs Postgraduate Loans
Compare undergraduate student loans with postgraduate Master's and PhD loans. Understand the different repayment terms and how they interact.
Interactive Comparison Tools
Monthly Repayment Calculator
Compare monthly repayments across all loan plans based on your salary.
Total Cost Comparison
Compare the lifetime costs of different student loan plans based on your expected career path.
Combined Loans Calculator
See how multiple student loans interact for people with both undergraduate and postgraduate debt.
Salary-Based Comparisons
Loans Compared on a £25,000 Salary
How different loan plans compare for someone earning £25,000, including monthly costs and total repayments.
Loans Compared on a £50,000 Salary
Comparison of all loan plans for a higher earner on £50,000, with analysis of repayment strategies.
Career Progression Comparison
How different loan plans compare with salary growth from £25,000 to £60,000 over 15 years.
Student Loans by Profession
Compare loan repayments across different professions including teaching, nursing, engineering, and finance.
Guides in this section
- Worked salary scenarios - Year-by-year repayment examples for typical careers and incomes.
- Student loan repayments for doctors - How a medical salary path changes what you repay.
- Student loan repayments for teachers - What a teacher on the pay scale repays and when the loan ends.
Calculate Your Personal Repayments
Use our calculators to see exactly how each loan plan would affect your finances