Tuition vs maintenance loans
Lesson 1 of 15 in our free Student Finance guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.
Shown for England. Some rules here are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: the lesson shows your nation's version.
Reading is cool. Playing is cooler.
This lesson is a 5-minute game. Free, no sign-up needed.
The story so far
Mo: Wait, so where's my £9,790 tuition loan? I was going to buy a sofa.
Nana: That one goes straight to the university, love. You never touch it. Sofa cancelled.
Chip: Two loans: the Tuition Fee Loan pays your uni directly. The Maintenance Loan lands in YOUR account for living costs.
Questions you'll answer
In England (2026/27), the maximum full-time Tuition Fee Loan per year is…?
£9,790 a year. It goes straight to your uni — you only start repaying once you're earning over your plan's threshold.
Who decides how much living-cost support you can get in England?
Student Finance England, based on household income and where you live/study. Yes. Living at home, away outside London or in London all change the amount, and so does household income.
Quick facts
- Your course fees → Tuition Fee Loan. Paid direct to the university. Up to £9,790 a year for full-time courses at universities in England (2026/27).
- Rent in halls → Maintenance Loan. Living costs come out of your maintenance loan (and any other income).
- Weekly food shop → Maintenance Loan. Maintenance loan territory.
- A holiday the student loan company sends you on → Neither. Sadly this does not exist.
- Textbooks and a bus pass → Maintenance Loan. Living and study costs — maintenance loan (plus any bursary).