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CONTENTS

1. Undergraduate student finance in Northern Ireland, 2025/26

2. University tuition fees and tuition fee loans

3. Funding your living costs at uni

4. Grants and loans for students from Northern Ireland, 2025/26

5. Extra funding for university

6. Loans if studying abroad or on a placement year

7. Student finance for a second degree

8. How to apply for student finance in Northern Ireland

9. Repaying your student loan

Undergraduate student finance in Northern Ireland, 2025/26

Students from Northern Ireland taking a university degree may get extra financial support from grants. This means you will owe less in the way of a student loan. If you stay in Northern Ireland to study, you also pay lower fees than if you study elsewhere in the UK.

To be classed as a student from Northern Ireland, you normally need to have lived in Northern Ireland for at least three years before starting a university course. See our information on student finance eligibility, which includes arrangements after Brexit.

University tuition fees and tuition fee loans

If you’re going to university in Northern Ireland

Universities can charge you up to £4,855 a year for undergraduate tuition. You can apply to Student Finance NI for a loan of up to £4,855 to help cover this fee. If you wish to study at a private institution, where fees may be higher, you will need to pay the excess yourself.

If you’re going to university in England, Scotland or Wales

From August 2025, universities in England and Wales can charge up to £9,535 for a full-time degree. Universities in Scotland will also charge this fee for students who come from the ‘rest of the UK’ (i.e. not Scotland).

Unis in England also offer accelerated degrees, which take only two years to complete. If you start one after August 2025, the fees will be £11,440.

In all cases, tuition fee loans are available up to the maximum charged by your university unless you study at a private provider. If you do study at a private uni, the most you will get is £4,855 towards your fees. If your fees are higher, you will have to pay the difference yourself.

If you’re going to university in the Republic of Ireland

If you’re eligible for support from Student Finance NI, you can apply for funding to study a course in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Here, you pay a student contribution charge rather than a tuition fee. A loan of up to €3,000 is available to help you pay this, depending on what your university or college charges.

Funding your living costs at uni

Your living costs while attending uni may include accommodation fees, food and drink, and travel. The support you get for these living costs is determined by your household income and where you’ll live during term time.

Students from Northern Ireland can get a maintenance grant if your household income is £41,065 or less. But if you get a grant, it will decrease the amount of maintenance loan you can apply for. The maximum grant is £3,475 for those whose income is £19,203 or below.

If your household income is above £41,065, you won't qualify for a maintenance grant. Also, above £41,540, the amount of maintenance loan gradually reduces to a minimum amount. The expectation is that you’ll find the difference elsewhere, whether through contributions from your parents, a part-time job or savings.

Even if you receive full support, you’ll need to carefully budget to cover your living costs.

Student Cost of Living Calculator

Use our Student Cost of Living Calculator to discover how much your monthly costs would be studying in different regions and universities around the UK.

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Grants and loans for students from Northern Ireland, 2025/26

The only students to get the maximum maintenance loan are those with a household income of around £41,540.

• Below £41,540 you get the same funding or more, but the loan itself will reduce.
• Above £41,540, the amount of loan you can claim decreases because of your household income.

The minimum maintenance loan is 75% of the full amount – unless you only qualify for a ‘reduced loan’. You could get a 'reduced loan' if you're a medical or dental student in Year 4 or 5 and receive a healthcare bursary from the NI Department of Health.

The figures above are for illustrative purposes, as the actual amounts will depend on your personal circumstances.

Long course loan in 2025/26

If your course is longer than 30 weeks in the academic year, you can get an additional loan. You won’t be eligible for this if you’re getting a reduced rate loan, for example if you’re on a year-long paid placement.

From August 2025, the maximum long course loan per week is:

• £93 – if you’re living with your parents.
• £183 – if you’re living in London.
• £142 – if you’re living outside of London.
• £197 – if you’re studying overseas.

Extra funding for university

Some students may qualify for a special support grant instead of a maintenance grant, for example if you’re a lone parent. The amount of grant you'll get is the same, up to £3,475. However, unlike the maintenance grant, the special support grant won't reduce the amount of maintenance loan you can apply for. This means you can apply for the maximum amount of maintenance loan.

Depending on your personal circumstances, other government support may be available. For instance, if you are leaving care to enter higher education, or you have got a disability. Find out more on our page covering student finance and funding.

If you’re eligible for a student finance grant, you may also be eligible for a university bursary. Contact your uni to find out more.

Some courses receive other government backing. If you study a healthcare course, check our page on NHS funded courses as it may affect your student finance. If you're from Northern Ireland and studying a social work course in Northern Ireland, you might be eligible for a Department of Health bursary. According to Student Finance NI guidance, you’ll still be eligible for the standard financial support.

Loans if studying abroad or on a placement year

Some degree courses include a period where you study abroad or go on a work placement to gain experience. If you’re abroad or on placement for a year, you still pay a tuition fee to your home university, but it'll be reduced. The amount of reduction depends on which UK nation your uni is in. Your tuition fee loan will also be reduced.

If your course requires you to study abroad, your maintenance loan will be at the overseas rate, which is up to £9,694. The amount will depend on your household income and how long you’re away for.

Living cost support for those on placement depends on whether it’s a paid placement or not. It’s best to check with your local Student Finance Northern Ireland office to see what support you may be eligible for. 

Student finance for a second degree

Generally, you can only get undergraduate funding for your first degree. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but you may not get full funding.

In Northern Ireland, graduates can take medicine or dentistry as a second degree. You could be eligible for a means-tested maintenance loan. From 2025, if you study a graduate-entry medical course in Northern Ireland, you will also be able to take out a tuition fee loan. If you study elsewhere, you will need to fund your own tuition fees (or student contribution charge in ROI) for the duration of your course.

Support may also be available for degrees leading to a professional qualification in veterinary science, social work, teaching, and architecture. If you plan to study a second degree, check with Student Finance Northern Ireland whether you're eligible for support.

How to apply for student finance in Northern Ireland

You can apply online to Student Finance Northern Ireland.

If you’re going to be a full-time undergraduate, you can apply from March of the year your course starts. It’s best to apply early, to ensure you have your loan by the start of your course. You'll need to apply for a loan each year of your course.

The Student Loans Company (SLC) handles the loan on behalf of the government. They’ll pay your tuition fees to your university at the beginning of your course. The maintenance loan is paid into your bank account at the start of each term, once you’ve registered on your course.

Repaying your student loan

You start repaying your student loan from the April after you leave university, and once your salary has reached a certain amount. You pay a percentage of your income.