Student Loans in Wales | How to Pay

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The following table gives example repayment amounts (for illustrative purposes only):

Income each year before tax Income each year before tax	Monthly repayment Monthly repayment
Up to £29,385 Up to £29,385	£0 £0
£32,000 £32,000	£19.61 £19.61
£35,000 £35,000	£42.11 £42.11

Even if you’re earning over the income threshold, you won’t have to start repaying your loan for up to four years.

Here’s how it works for our most popular qualifications:

*Please note: if you finish your course or leave it early, you’ll start repaying your loan the first April after you leave the course.*
Qualification Qualification	Years to complete Years to complete	Loan repayments start Loan repayments start
Degree with honours Degree with honours	6 years part-time study 3 years full-time study 6 years part-time study 3 years full-time study	4 years after course start Up to 1 year after you finish the course 4 years after course start Up to 1 year after you finish the course
Diploma of Higher Education Diploma of Higher Education	4 years part-time study 2 years full-time study 4 years part-time study 2 years full-time study	4 years after course start Up to 1 year after you finish the course 4 years after course start Up to 1 year after you finish the course
Certificate of Higher Education Certificate of Higher Education	2 years part-time study 1 year full-time study 2 years part-time study 1 year full-time study	Up to 1 year after you finish the course Up to 1 year after you finish the course Up to 1 year after you finish the course Up to 1 year after you finish the course

Loans accumulate interest at a rate based on the RPI (Retail Price Index) measure of inflation. The interest rate is currently RPI+3% or a lower amount capped by the UK Government at the prevailing market rate for the relevant academic year while you’re studying and until the April after you have completed the course.

However, as the amount you pay back is based on how much you earn and not how much you owe, the amount of interest added to your loan won’t ever affect the amount you pay each month.

If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years, it will be written off, and your monthly payments will stop.

To qualify for a tuition fee loan, you must:

For more eligibility information, visit the Student Finance Wales website.

If you’re looking to re-skill in subjects such as science, computing or mathematics, you may be eligible for a loan to study for a further honours degree.

To see a list of eligible qualifications, visit our Loans for degree holders in Wales page.

If you’re a new student with us, apply for a student loan through Student Finance Wales.

First, register with us for the qualification you'd like to study. Next, choose your modules and tell us you'll be applying for a loan. Then, online, apply for a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan starting in the 2026/27 academic year or download an application from Student Finance Wales. You’ll apply for a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan even if you plan to study at a full-time equivalent rate of 120 credits per year.

You'll have to set up a Student Finance online account, but this is quick and easy to do. The application process should take about 15 minutes, and you'll need to provide details about your proof of residency and identity. It'll help to have your passport details and National Insurance number on hand.

It can take six to eight weeks for Student Finance Wales to finalise applications, so apply as early as possible to ensure your funding is in place for the start of your course.

Depending on your circumstances, you might also be able to apply for maintenance grants worth up to £4,590 a year to help with living costs.

For further advice, view our step-by-step guide to applying for a loan.

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Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan in Wales

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