Part-Time Student Finance Guide 2026/27

Part-Time Student Finance Overview

Part-time students in England can access significant financial support through Student Finance England (SFE), though the system works differently from full-time student funding. Understanding these differences is crucial for making informed decisions about part-time study.

Since 2018/19, part-time students have been able to access both Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans, provided they meet specific course intensity requirements. This marked a significant improvement from previous years when part-time students could only access limited grants.

Part-time study is defined as any course where the student studies at less than 100% of the full-time equivalent. This includes students taking fewer modules per year, spreading their degree over a longer period, or balancing study with work or caring responsibilities.

Part-time students must study at an approved university or higher education provider in England. The course must lead to a recognized qualification such as a degree, HND, HNC, or Certificate of Higher Education. Foundation degrees and integrated master's degrees also qualify.

Course Intensity Requirements

Course intensity is the single most important factor determining what financial support part-time students can access. Intensity measures how much of a full-time course you complete each academic year, expressed as a percentage.

To qualify for any part-time student finance, your course must have a minimum intensity of 25% of the equivalent full-time course. For Maintenance Loans specifically, you must also be studying at least 25% intensity. The maximum intensity for part-time classification is 99%.

How Course Intensity is Calculated

Universities calculate intensity by comparing the number of credits or modules you take each year against the full-time equivalent. Most full-time undergraduate courses require 120 credits per academic year. If you take 60 credits, your intensity is 50% (60/120).

Your university or college determines your course intensity and confirms it to Student Finance England as part of your application. Intensity can vary between academic years if you take different numbers of modules, and your funding will adjust accordingly.

Tuition Fee Loans for Part-Time Students

Part-time students in England can borrow up to £6,935 per academic year (2025/26) to cover tuition fees. This maximum applies regardless of course intensity, meaning even students studying at 25% intensity can access the full loan amount if their fees require it.

However, most part-time courses charge fees on a pro-rata basis, meaning you typically pay in proportion to the number of credits you take. If a full-time course costs £9,790 and you study at 50% intensity, you would typically be charged around £4,895.

How Pro-Rata Fees Work

The Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to your university or college in three installments throughout the academic year (typically September, January, and April). You never see this money, and it covers your fees automatically so you don't need to pay upfront.

Eligibility Requirements

• Course intensity must be at least 25% of the full-time equivalent
• Course must last at least one academic year
• Must be studying at an approved English university or college
• Must meet residency requirements (usually 3 years in UK/EEA/Switzerland)
• Cannot have studied an equivalent or higher-level qualification previously
• Must not have exceeded your tuition fee limit from previous study

If your course fees exceed the maximum loan amount, you will need to pay the difference yourself. Some universities offer payment plans or bursaries to help part-time students with this shortfall.

Maintenance Loans for Part-Time Students

Since the 2018/19 academic year, new part-time students can access Maintenance Loans to help with living costs while studying. This represents a major expansion of support, previously unavailable to part-time students.

The amount you receive depends on two key factors: your course intensity and your household income. Part-time Maintenance Loans are means-tested, meaning higher household incomes result in lower loan amounts.

Maintenance Loan Amounts 2026/27

Part-time students receive a percentage of the full-time Maintenance Loan, calculated based on their course intensity. The maximum Maintenance Loan for full-time students living away from home and studying outside London is £10,830 (2026/27).

How Household Income Affects Your Loan

The maintenance loan is reduced as household income increases. For the 2026/27 academic year, the income thresholds are:

• £25,000 or less: Maximum loan amount for your intensity
• £25,001 to £62,409: Loan reduces on a sliding scale
• £62,410 or more: Minimum loan amount (around 51.4% of maximum)

Maintenance Loan Eligibility

• Must be a new student starting from 2018/19 onwards
• Course intensity must be at least 25%
• Must meet all other student finance eligibility criteria
• Maintenance Loan is paid directly to you in three installments
• Payment dates typically align with start of each term

Grants & Additional Support

Beyond loans, part-time students can access several grants and allowances that do not need to be repaid. These are particularly important for students with disabilities, children, or adult dependants.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

DSA is available to part-time students at any course intensity, including those studying below 25%. This is a crucial exemption that ensures disabled students can access support regardless of how few modules they take.

Childcare Grant

Part-time students with children can apply for Childcare Grant to help with registered childcare costs. For the 2025/26 academic year:

• One child: Up to 85% of costs, maximum £193.62 per week
• Two or more children: Up to 85% of costs, maximum £331.95 per week
• Amounts are pro-rated based on course intensity
• Childcare must be registered or approved by Ofsted or equivalent

Parents' Learning Allowance

This grant helps with course-related costs if you have dependent children. The maximum amount is £1,985 per year (2025/26), means-tested based on household income and pro-rated for part-time intensity.

Adult Dependants' Grant

If you have an adult who depends on you financially, you may qualify for Adult Dependants' Grant. The maximum is £3,263 per year (2025/26), means-tested and pro-rated for part-time students.

Distance Learning & Online Courses

Part-time students studying by distance learning can access student finance, but specific rules apply. Distance learning includes online courses, correspondence courses, and any study where you do not need to attend campus regularly.

Distance Learning Eligibility

• Course must be provided by an approved English higher education provider
• Must meet standard part-time eligibility criteria (25%+ intensity)
• Can access Tuition Fee Loans up to £6,935 per year
• Maintenance Loans are NOT available for distance learning students
• DSA and other grants may be available depending on circumstances

The Open University

The Open University (OU) is the UK's largest provider of part-time distance learning. OU students can access Tuition Fee Loans but not Maintenance Loans. The OU uses a modular credit system, with 120 credits equal to one year of full-time study.

To maintain 25% intensity at the OU, you need to complete at least 30 credits per academic year. Many OU students take 60 credits per year (50% intensity), completing a standard degree over six years instead of three.

Hybrid and Blended Learning

Some universities offer hybrid courses combining online learning with occasional campus attendance. Whether these qualify as distance learning depends on the course structure and how much campus attendance is required.

Part-Time Study Across UK Nations

Student finance rules differ significantly across the four UK nations. Part-time students must apply to the funding body for the nation where they normally live, not where they study.

England (Student Finance England)

All information on this page applies to students resident in England. SFE provides the most comprehensive part-time funding in the UK, including both Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans for eligible students.

Scotland (SAAS)

Part-time students in Scotland face different rules through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). Scottish part-time undergraduate students can access:

• Part-time Fee Grant (not a loan) for eligible low-income students
• Tuition fees up to £1,820 per year covered for qualifying students
• No Maintenance Loans available for part-time students
• More generous support for postgraduate part-time students

Wales (Student Finance Wales)

Welsh part-time students can access similar support to English students, with some differences:

• Tuition Fee Loans available up to £2,625 per year
• Part-time Maintenance Loan available for eligible students
• Additional grants and financial support through Welsh Government schemes
• Course intensity requirements similar to England (25% minimum)

Northern Ireland (Student Finance NI)

Part-time students in Northern Ireland access support through Student Finance Northern Ireland:

• Tuition Fee Loans available up to £3,380 per year
• Part-time Maintenance Loan introduced in recent years
• Additional support through Department for the Economy schemes
• Different income thresholds and repayment terms than England

Repayment Rules for Part-Time Students

Part-time students repay their student loans under exactly the same terms as full-time students. Your study pattern does not affect when or how much you repay - only your income after graduation matters.

When Repayment Begins

Repayment begins in the April after you complete or leave your course, but only if you are earning above the repayment threshold. If you finish your degree in June 2026, repayments would start in April 2027 (if earning above threshold).

How Monthly Repayments are Calculated

Repayment Through PAYE

If you are employed, repayments are automatically deducted through PAYE (Pay As You Earn) by your employer, similar to income tax and National Insurance. You do not need to do anything - the Student Loans Company informs HMRC and your employer handles the deductions.

Self-employed part-time graduates make repayments through Self Assessment tax returns. You report your income annually and make repayments alongside your tax bill.

Loan Write-Off

Any remaining loan balance is written off 40 years after the April following graduation or when you leave your course. This applies whether you studied full-time or part-time. If you finish your degree in 2026, your loan would be written off in April 2067.

The 40-year write-off period is considerably longer than older loan plans (which had 25-30 year terms), meaning part-time students who take longer to complete their degrees may still have similar total repayment periods to full-time graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions