Everything you need to know about university costs
Summary
Graduates in England leave university with an average debt of about £47,500, which has slightly decreased recently. University tuition fees in England and Wales have been rising and will continue to increase each year in line with inflation from 2026 onwards.Key Facts
- The average student debt for graduates in England is around £47,730, down from £53,000 the year before.
- Tuition fees in England and Wales increased to £9,535 per year in 2025 and will rise to £9,790 in 2026.
- From 2026, tuition fees in England will increase annually based on inflation, measured by the Retail Price Index minus mortgage interest (RPIx).
- In Northern Ireland, fees are £4,855 for local students and £9,535 for others, rising in 2026-27 to £4,985 and £9,790 respectively.
- Most Scottish students pay no tuition fees, but other UK students pay £9,535, rising to £9,790 in 2026-27.
- Student loans cover tuition and living costs, with living loans based on family income.
- Loan repayment begins only when income reaches a certain level, and rules changed in 2023 making repayments longer and potentially more expensive for some.
- Plan 5 loans, introduced in England in 2023, have lower interest and contributed to the recent decrease in average student debt.
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