Government loans and grants

Undergraduate student loans

If you are a UK / Home undergraduate student, starting university for the first-time, a government student loan package is available, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

The full undergraduate loan package includes loans to cover tuition fees and living costs.  
You only start to repay your student loan after you leave university and are earning more than the repayment threshold set by the government.

You may have access to extra financial help in certain circumstances, for example, if you have children or caring responsibilities; or if you have a disability.

Tuition fee loan

The Student Loans Company will pay your tuition fees directly to the university each year via the loan.

Maintenance loan

This loan helps your living costs, such as accommodation, food, clothing.  The Student Loans Company pays this loan to you in instalments once a term.

Part-time students

If you are studying part-time, you may be able to apply for a tuition fee and maintenance loan if you are studying at least 25% of the equivalent full-time course each year.

Students with disabilities

If you have a disability, you may be eligible to apply for extra help through the Disabled Students Allowance (gov.uk). You can read advice on applying for the DSA from the university's Disability and Learning Support team.

Students with existing higher education qualifications

If you already hold an equivalent or higher-level qualification than the one you intend to study, you are not usually eligible for the government undergraduate loans funding.  However, there are some exceptions including eligible students studying pre-registration nursing, midwifery and allied health courses.

How to budget

Planning your finances for university.

Student finance questions?

If you have any questions about your eligibility for student finance, our Student Advice Service will be happy to help.

studentadvice@brighton.ac.uk

01273 642888

Funding for pre-registration nursing, midwifery and allied health courses

Student loans

If you are starting an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate pre-registration degree in nursing, midwifery or allied health professions, you can apply for the undergraduate student loan package to cover your tuition fee and living costs, even if you have studied at degree level previously.

NHS Learning Support Fund

If you are an eligible student studying an undergraduate of postgraduate pre-registration nursing, midwifery and allied health course you can apply for additional funding via the NHS Learning Support Fund. Students studying paramedic science can also apply for the Learning Support Fund.

You must be eligible for the undergraduate Student Finance tuition fee and maintenance loans to apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Eligible part-time students will receive pro-rata payments of the Training Grant and Parental Support.

Applying for your student funding

You don’t need to wait until you have been offered a place at university to apply for your student funding.

You should apply for it in early 2025 – applications usually open in early February. Check your student finance agency for the exact deadlines.

You need to reapply for student finance each year of your course.

UK / Home students

The student finance agency you must apply through depends on where you are living when you first apply:

Find out if you qualify for a bursary

Tips for your application

  • The quickest and safest method of applying is online.
  • Make sure that you send in all the evidence that the finance agency want - don’t wait to be asked for it.
  • If you are sending documents in the post, send them by recorded delivery and put your reference number on each document.
  • Check what the processing time is for applications. If you haven’t heard back within that time, phone regularly for updates on your application.
  • Always have all your paperwork to hand when you call your finance agency.