Repaying your student loan
When you start repaying
You’ll only repay your student loan when your income is over the threshold amount for your repayment plan, unless you’ve been overpaid.
Your income is the amount you earn (including things like bonuses and overtime) before tax and other deductions.
The threshold amounts change on 6 April every year.
The earliest you’ll start repaying is:
- the April after you leave your course
- the April 4 years after the course started if you’re studying part-time or doing a Postgraduate Doctoral course and your course is longer than 4 years
- April 2026 if you’re on Plan 5
Your repayments automatically stop if either:
- you stop working
- your income goes below the threshold
You’ll make a repayment if your income goes over the weekly or monthly threshold for your plan (for example, if you’re paid a bonus or overtime). You can ask for a refund at the end of the tax year if your annual income was less than the yearly threshold for your plan.
If you have a Plan 1 student loan
You’ll only repay when your income is over £480 a week, £2,082 a month or £24,990 a year.
If you have a Plan 2 student loan
You’ll only repay when your income is over £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year.
If you have a Plan 4 student loan
You’ll only repay when your income is over £603 a week, £2,616 a month or £31,395 a year.
If you have a Plan 5 student loan
You’ll only repay when your income is over £480 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year.
If you’re on a Postgraduate Loan repayment plan
If you took out a Master’s Loan or a Doctoral Loan, you’ll only repay when your income is over £403 a week, £1,750 a month or £21,000 a year.
Early repayments
There’s no penalty for paying some or all of your loan off early.
Repaying an overpayment
The Student Loans Company (SLC) will write to you if you’re paid more student loan or grant than you’re entitled to.
You must repay this separately from the rest of your student loan.
Read more about repaying an overpayment.