Student Loan Repayments by Profession: UK Career Guide
Discover how different UK careers affect your student loan repayments, from entry-level salaries to lifetime costs. Compare professions to understand which careers lead to full repayment and which benefit from loan write-off.
Your choice of profession significantly impacts your student loan repayment journey. Some careers lead to full loan repayment within 10-15 years, while others may never fully repay before the write-off period. Understanding how your chosen profession affects your student loan can help you make informed financial decisions.
This guide breaks down student loan repayments across various UK professions, showing typical salary progressions, monthly repayments, and lifetime costs. We'll help you understand whether your career path means you'll benefit from the loan write-off or should consider overpayment strategies.
Key Insight: The UK student loan system means that borrowers in different professions effectively pay vastly different amounts for the same university education. High earners may repay 150% of what they borrowed (principal + interest), while middle earners often repay only 40-60% before write-off.
Understanding How Your Profession Affects Repayments
Student loan repayments are based on your income, not your loan balance. You pay 9% of everything you earn above the repayment threshold (£27,295 for Plan 2, £25,000 for Plan 5). This means:
- Higher-earning professions make larger monthly payments and may repay their full loan plus interest
- Middle-income professions make moderate payments but often don't repay the full amount before write-off
- Lower-earning professions make minimal or no payments and benefit most from the eventual write-off
The write-off period (30 years for Plan 2, 40 years for Plan 5) means that many graduates will never fully repay their loans, regardless of how much they borrowed. For these borrowers, their student loan functions more like a graduate tax than traditional debt.
High-Earning Professions: Full Repayment Expected
These professions typically lead to incomes high enough that graduates will repay their full loan balance plus significant interest before the write-off date. For these careers, student loans function more like traditional debt.
Medicine & Dentistry
Starting Salary (Foundation Year)
£32,000 - £37,000
Mid-Career (Consultant/GP Partner)
£85,000 - £120,000+
Typical Loan Size: £70,000 - £100,000 (longer courses, higher living costs)
Monthly Repayment at £90,000 salary: £470/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will fully repay loan in 15-25 years depending on specialization
Medical professionals typically have the largest student loan balances but also the highest earning potential. Most doctors and dentists will repay their full loan, though junior doctors may struggle initially with high debt-to-income ratios.
Law (Corporate/City)
Starting Salary (Trainee)
£45,000 - £50,000
Mid-Career (Senior Associate)
£80,000 - £150,000+
Typical Loan Size: £60,000 - £90,000 (including LPC/SQE costs)
Monthly Repayment at £100,000 salary: £545/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: City lawyers will fully repay in 12-20 years
City and corporate lawyers at top firms earn enough to comfortably repay their loans in full. However, many solicitors outside of London or in high-street practice may not reach these salary levels and might benefit from write-off.
Investment Banking & Finance
Starting Salary (Analyst)
£55,000 - £70,000
Mid-Career (VP/Director)
£120,000 - £300,000+
Typical Loan Size: £45,000 - £60,000
Monthly Repayment at £150,000 salary: £920/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will fully repay in 8-15 years
Investment bankers and those in high finance typically repay their loans fastest due to very high salaries from early career. These graduates may benefit from voluntary overpayments to reduce total interest paid.
Software Engineering (Senior/Tech)
Starting Salary (Graduate)
£30,000 - £45,000
Mid-Career (Senior/Lead)
£70,000 - £120,000+
Typical Loan Size: £40,000 - £55,000
Monthly Repayment at £80,000 salary: £395/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will likely fully repay in 15-25 years
Senior software engineers, especially those at major tech companies or with in-demand skills, typically reach high enough salaries to fully repay their loans. However, progression varies significantly based on location (London vs regional) and company size.
Middle-Earning Professions: Partial Repayment Expected
These professions typically result in graduates repaying 40-80% of their loan balance before write-off. For these careers, voluntary overpayments rarely make financial sense since a significant portion will be written off anyway.
Teaching
Starting Salary (NQT)
£28,000 - £30,000
Mid-Career (Main Scale/Leadership)
£35,000 - £50,000
Typical Loan Size: £40,000 - £55,000
Monthly Repayment at £40,000 salary: £95/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will repay 50-70% before write-off
Most teachers will not fully repay their student loans before the 30-year write-off period. This makes teaching one of the professions where the loan functions most like a graduate tax. Teachers should focus on other financial priorities rather than voluntary overpayments.
Nursing
Starting Salary (Band 5)
£28,000 - £34,000
Mid-Career (Band 6-7)
£35,000 - £48,000
Typical Loan Size: £35,000 - £50,000
Monthly Repayment at £38,000 salary: £80/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will repay 40-60% before write-off
Nurses typically have lower loan balances (especially those who started before 2017 when bursaries existed) but also relatively modest salary progression. Most nurses will benefit significantly from loan write-off and should not make voluntary overpayments.
Accountancy
Starting Salary (Graduate)
£25,000 - £35,000
Mid-Career (Qualified/Senior)
£45,000 - £70,000
Typical Loan Size: £40,000 - £55,000
Monthly Repayment at £55,000 salary: £207/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Borderline - may or may not fully repay
Accountants are in the "borderline" category where outcomes vary significantly based on career progression. Those reaching senior positions at Big Four firms or in finance may fully repay, while others in industry or smaller practices will benefit from write-off.
Engineering (Civil, Mechanical)
Starting Salary (Graduate)
£28,000 - £35,000
Mid-Career (Senior/Chartered)
£45,000 - £65,000
Typical Loan Size: £40,000 - £55,000
Monthly Repayment at £50,000 salary: £170/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will repay 60-90% before write-off
Engineers typically earn solid middle-class salaries with good progression, but most won't quite reach the threshold needed to fully repay modern student loans. Those moving into management or specialized fields may fully repay.
Marketing & Business Management
Starting Salary (Graduate)
£22,000 - £30,000
Mid-Career (Manager/Senior)
£40,000 - £60,000
Typical Loan Size: £40,000 - £55,000
Monthly Repayment at £45,000 salary: £133/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will repay 50-75% before write-off
Marketing and business roles vary widely in earning potential. While some reach senior management with high salaries, many graduates in these fields will not fully repay their loans and should plan accordingly.
Lower-Earning Professions: Minimal Repayment, Maximum Write-Off Benefit
These professions typically result in graduates repaying less than 40% of their loan balance, with many making minimal or no payments throughout the repayment period. For these careers, student loans truly function as a graduate tax with no downside to borrowing the maximum amount.
Social Work
Starting Salary (Newly Qualified)
£26,000 - £32,000
Mid-Career (Senior Practitioner)
£35,000 - £45,000
Typical Loan Size: £35,000 - £50,000
Monthly Repayment at £35,000 salary: £58/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will repay 20-40% before write-off
Social workers provide invaluable services but earn relatively modest salaries. Most will repay only a fraction of their student loan before write-off. These graduates benefit enormously from the loan system and should never consider voluntary overpayments.
Creative Arts & Design
Starting Salary (Entry Level)
£18,000 - £25,000
Mid-Career (Established)
£25,000 - £40,000
Typical Loan Size: £40,000 - £55,000
Monthly Repayment at £30,000 salary: £20/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will repay 10-30% before write-off
Creative professionals often earn below the national average, especially early in their careers. Many will make minimal loan repayments and benefit significantly from write-off. The loan system makes creative degrees much more financially viable than they would be with traditional loans.
Journalism & Media
Starting Salary (Junior)
£20,000 - £26,000
Mid-Career (Senior/Editor)
£30,000 - £50,000
Typical Loan Size: £40,000 - £55,000
Monthly Repayment at £35,000 salary: £58/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will repay 20-45% before write-off
Journalism and media careers are notoriously competitive with relatively low salaries for most positions. The majority of journalists will benefit from loan write-off. Only those reaching senior editorial or broadcast positions may approach full repayment.
Hospitality & Tourism Management
Starting Salary (Graduate)
£18,000 - £24,000
Mid-Career (Manager)
£25,000 - £40,000
Typical Loan Size: £40,000 - £55,000
Monthly Repayment at £30,000 salary: £20/month (Plan 2)
Expected Outcome: Will repay 10-30% before write-off
Hospitality careers typically offer lower salaries, though some hotel general managers and senior positions can earn more. Most hospitality graduates will make minimal loan repayments and benefit greatly from the write-off system.
Key Takeaways by Profession Type
High Earners
- ✓ Will repay full loan + interest
- ✓ May benefit from overpayments
- ✓ Consider vs. investing returns
- ✓ Loan balance matters significantly
Examples: Medicine, Law, Finance, Senior Tech
Middle Earners
- ✓ Will repay 40-80% before write-off
- ✓ Overpayments rarely make sense
- ✓ Functions like a graduate tax
- ✓ Focus on other financial goals
Examples: Teaching, Nursing, Engineering, Marketing
Lower Earners
- ✓ Will repay under 40% before write-off
- ✓ Never make voluntary payments
- ✓ No downside to borrowing more
- ✓ Benefit most from loan system
Examples: Social Work, Creative Arts, Journalism, Hospitality
Important Considerations
Career Progression Varies
The figures above represent typical trajectories, but individual careers vary enormously. Factors like location (London weighting adds £5,000-£10,000 to salaries), sector (public vs. private), and personal progression all significantly impact your repayment journey.
Your Loan Plan Matters
These examples primarily use Plan 2 figures. Plan 5 borrowers face a lower threshold (£25,000 vs. £27,295) and longer repayment period (40 years vs. 30 years), which typically results in higher lifetime repayments for the same career trajectory.
Career Changes Are Common
Many graduates don't stay in their original field. Career changes, breaks for family, sabbaticals, and self-employment all affect your repayment journey. The income-contingent system protects you during lower-earning periods.
Part-Time and Career Breaks
Working part-time or taking career breaks (particularly common for parents) significantly reduces lifetime repayments. If you anticipate working reduced hours or taking extended breaks, you're even more likely to benefit from write-off.
Regional Variations
Salaries vary significantly by region. London and South East typically pay 15-30% more than other UK regions for the same role, which can determine whether you fully repay your loan or not.
Calculate Your Professional Repayment Journey
Model your specific career trajectory and see projected lifetime student loan costs based on your profession
Related Resources
Should I Overpay My Loan?
Detailed analysis of when voluntary overpayments make financial sense based on your career.
Investing vs. Loan Repayment
Compare returns from investing extra money versus paying off your student loan faster.
Career Progression Impact
How different career progression patterns affect your total student loan repayments.
Understanding Loan Plans
Complete guide to UK student loan plans and which one applies to you.