Changes to UK tuition fees: 2025 to 2026 academic year as university tuition fees to increase in England for the first time in eight years.
Since 2017, the annual fees for domestic undergraduate students in the United Kingdom have been limited to £9,250. UK universities are advocating for an increase in tuition fees to help alleviate financial pressures and support their budgets effectively.
The UK Department for Education has announced that the cap on full-time student fees will rise by £285, bringing the maximum fee to £9,535.
Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education, highlighted that the government will also adjust student maintenance loans, offering up to £414 more for the 2025/2026 academic year to assist students during this transition.
She emphasized that this initiative would provide crucial support for students from the lowest-income families. In her address to members of parliament, Phillipson highlighted that ongoing financial challenges have emerged due to the freeze on domestic tuition fees.
“The financial landscape for universities has changed significantly, leading to a notable decline in their real-time income,” the minister of state remarked.
Recently, there have been some policy adjustments affecting foreign nationals studying in the UK, which have also had financial implications for UK universities.
Starting in September 2024, the requirements for “proof of funds” for foreign students will be elevated. This change aims to ensure that students have the necessary financial resources to support themselves during their studies.
Additionally, there has been a change regarding family members accompanying foreign students. Going forward, foreign nationals will not be able to bring family members to live with them while they pursue their education in the UK. These measures reflect the ongoing evolution of the UK’s approach to education and immigration, aimed at ensuring a sustainable balance for both students and educational institutions.
For the upcoming 2025 to 2026 academic year, the following updates will be made regarding maximum tuition fees and tuition fee loans for:
- Full-time undergraduate courses
- Full-time accelerated undergraduate courses
- Part-time undergraduate courses
These updates will take effect from 1 August 2025.
The government plans to introduce regulations to implement these changes for the 2025 to 2026 academic year, with further details expected to be released in late 2024 and early 2025. These regulations will undergo the necessary Parliamentary process to ensure proper oversight.
Courses Offered by Approved (Fee Cap) Providers
For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, maximum tuition fees for undergraduate students, whether enrolled in full-time or part-time courses at approved (fee cap) providers, will see a constructive increase of 3.1%.
This adjustment in maximum tuition fees will be determined by certain criteria, specifically whether an approved (fee cap) provider holds:
- A Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) award from the Office for Students (OfS)
- has an access and participation plan (APP) in place from the OfS.
Providers with TEF and an APP
For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, the maximum tuition fees for approved providers with a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) award and an Access and Participation Plan (APP) will be as follows:
- £9,535 for standard full-time courses
- £11,440 for full-time accelerated courses
- £7,145 for part-time courses
Providers without TEF and with an APP
For the academic year 2025 to 2026, approved providers without a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) award but with an Access and Participation Plan (APP) will see an increase in maximum tuition fees. The new amounts are as follows:
- £9,275 for standard full-time courses
- £11,130 for full-time accelerated courses
- £6,955 for part-time courses
Providers with TEF and without an APP
For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, the maximum tuition fees for approved providers holding a TEF award and not participating in an APP have been set as follows:
- £6,355 for standard full-time courses
- £7,625 for full-time accelerated courses
- £4,765 for part-time courses
Providers without TEF or an APP
For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, approved providers without a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) award and without an Access and Participation Plan (APP) will see the maximum tuition fees adjusted as follows:
- £6,185 for standard full-time courses
- £7,420 for full-time accelerated courses
- £4,635 for part-time courses
These changes reflect a commitment to ensuring that fee structures support the educational landscape effectively.
read about Canada policy changes
Provisions for various academic study patterns
Students in their final year of a standard full-time course that is completed in less than 15 weeks will benefit from a tuition fee charge of up to 50% of the maximum tuition fee.
For those participating in a work placement year as part of a sandwich course, the charge will be up to 20% of the maximum standard full-time or full-time accelerated tuition fee, making it a more affordable option.
Students engaging in an overseas year of study or a Turing year can provide themselves with a unique educational experience while being charged up to just 15% of the maximum standard full-time or full-time accelerated tuition fee.
Furthermore, eligible students enrolled in courses at approved providers will have the opportunity to access tuition fee loans to cover the full cost of their tuition for the academic year 2025 to 2026. This initiative aims to support students in their educational journey.
Courses Offered by Approved Providers
Approved providers offer a variety of full-time and part-time courses without imposing maximum tuition fee limits. Undergraduate students who begin or continue their studies in full-time or part-time courses at these providers during the 2025 to 2026 academic year will be eligible for tuition fee loans to support their education.
Furthermore, the maximum tuition fee loans available for courses at approved providers will see a 3.1% increase in the 2025 to 2026 academic year, providing additional financial assistance for students.
Providers with TEF
For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, students can benefit from the following maximum tuition fee loans for courses at approved providers with a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
- £6,355 for standard full-time courses
- £7,625 for full-time accelerated courses
- £4,765 for part-time courses
Providers without TEF
For the academic year 2025 to 2026, students can benefit from the following maximum tuition fee loan amounts for courses at approved providers that do not participate in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):
- £6,185 for standard full-time courses
- £7,420 for full-time accelerated courses
- £4,635 for part-time courses
These loans are designed to support students in funding their education effectively.
Provisions for various study patterns
Students who are in their final year of a standard full-time course at an approved provider and complete their studies in less than 15 weeks are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to 50% of the maximum tuition fee loan.
For those participating in a work placement year as part of a sandwich course at an approved provider, a tuition fee loan of up to 20% of the maximum tuition fee loan is available for standard full-time or full-time accelerated courses.
Additionally, students engaging in an overseas year of study at an approved provider can receive a tuition fee loan of up to 15% of the maximum tuition fee loan for standard full-time or full-time accelerated courses.
- a university or college registered with the Office for Students for whom maximum fee limits apply.
- a university or college registered with the Office for Students for whom maximum fee limits do not apply.
