Accredited official statistics

Student support for higher education in Wales 2024

Published 28 November 2024

Applies to Wales

© Crown copyright 2024

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Introduction

This statistics publication presents figures and observations on the student support awarded to applicants and paid to students or their higher education provider. Figures are shown for the eleven academic years up to and including 2023/24. The early-in-year section (Tables 7A to 7C) gives a high-level, early indication of academic year 2024/25 figures, along with any emerging trends of new policy products.

The publication covers applicants and students domiciled in Wales taking a designated higher education (HE) course at a university or further education (FE) college in the UK, as well as EU (outside UK) applicants and students taking a designated course in Wales.

2.7% increase in higher education student support paid out in academic year 2023/24, at £1.18 billion

Figure 1: Number of students domiciled in Wales and EU (outside UK) receiving higher education support and amount awarded/paid

The columns in this chart depict the number of applicants/students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount awarded/paid against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 2

Download the data for Figure 1 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 1 shows that 65,000 full-time, part-time and postgraduate applicants/students were awarded/paid student finance in academic year 2013/14. Numbers increased by an average of 3.7% per year up until 2020/21, when a significant 7.1% increase was reported with numbers peaking at 86,300.

This was likely a result of the perceived reduced employment opportunity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging new students to pursue higher education and current students to continue their education. This was made up of a 4.8% increase in undergraduates and a significant 30.8% increase in postgraduates receiving funding.

In academic year 2021/22, there was a 3.0% reduction in the number awarded/paid as figures normalised against an outlying year. However, numbers have continued to decrease first by 4.0% in 2022/23 and then by a further 2.0% in the most recent year, down to 78,700. In 2023/24, this reduction can be predominantly attributed to a reduction in undergraduates receiving funding (down by 2.2%).

Figure 1 also shows that the total amount awarded/paid in student support across full-time, part-time and postgraduate students in academic year 2013/14 was £0.67 billion. Following a notable 13.4% increase in the following year, increases slowed to an average of 7.2% to £1.08 billion by 2019/20.

In 2020/21 the amount increased by a significant 11.2% to peak at £1.20 billion – made up of a 9.2% increase in undergraduate funding and a significant 38.2% increase in postgraduate funding. As previously mentioned, this was likely a result of the perceived reduced employment opportunity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging new students to pursue higher education and current students to continue their education. In academic year 2021/22, a small decrease of 1.8% was reported as figures normalised against an outlying year bringing the total awarded/paid to £1.18 billion.

Academic year 2022/23 indicated a further decrease of 2.6%, whereas in the most recent year an increase of 2.7% was reported, up to £1.18 billion. This is as a result of a 10.4% increase in the maximum undergraduate Maintenance Loan available (at £10,720 (‘Elsewhere’ rate)).

The average full-time Maintenance Loan paid to a Wales-domiciled student in 2013/14 was £3,310 increasing to £3,500 by 2015/16. There was a sharp increase of 18.9% to £4,160 in 2016/17 owing to the first notable increase in the maximum maintenance loan available, with similar occurring in the following year. The first, and only decrease in the average loan borrowed was reported in 2018/19 (down by 3.4%), likely due to the notable increase in the maximum full-time Welsh Government Learning Grant available to new students (increases of between 33% and 96% dependant on where the student resided whilst studying). The average has since increased to peak at £7,290 in academic year 2023/24, a notable 16.6% increase on the previous year.

For more information on maximum loans and grants available, please refer to Table 1A. For more detail on Maintenance Loans please refer to the relevant section later in this publication.

The average full-time Tuition Fee Loan paid on behalf of a Wales-domiciled student in 2013/14 was £3,410, increasing steadily by an average of 3.5% per year to £3,920 by 2017/18. A sharp increase of 43.6% was reported in academic year 2018/19 as a result of the Welsh funding review in which Tuition Fee Grants were discontinued to new students, resulting in the average loan taken out increasing to £5,630. Annual increases have since slowed overall, down to 1.2% in the most recent year, bringing the average amount to peak at £8,510.

For more information on Tuition Fee Loans please refer to the relevant section later in this publication.

Accessibility

Public Sector Accessibility Regulations mean that all public sector organisations have a legal duty to make their websites accessible for everyone, including those with disabilities. In 2023, we made notable improvements to the way in which we provide visual information within this publication series including:

  • adding descriptive information of the full time-series for each graph within the main body of the statistics publication.

  • providing data used to form each graph in accessible/downloadable tables.

  • changing the way in which we present charts and graphs to be more accessible, including changes to colour, labels and legends.

As part of SLC’s ongoing commitment, we will continue to improve the accessibility of our websites and content, whilst maintaining the statistical needs of our users.

What can you use these statistics for?

These statistics can be used as a reference to the number of students awarded/paid and the amount awarded/paid out by the Students Loans Company for students studying in higher education between academic years 2013/14 and 2023/24, along with an early view of academic year 2024/25.

The data used in this publication is from Student Loans Company’s administrative systems. These systems only hold information on students who have applied for and/or receive funding. Due to this, these statistics cannot be used to analyse trends or to draw conclusions regarding the full UK student population.

Things you need to know

Payments vs. awards

The main aim of this publication is to measure payments to student support recipients funded by Wales over the course of each academic year. This is effectively what is paid regarding Maintenance Loans, Tuition Fee Loans, Welsh Government Learning Grants, postgraduate loans and Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).

Awards differ from payments as they refer to the amount which will be paid if the applicant’s attendance is confirmed for the full academic year. As payments refer to the actual amounts received by students, they can be lower if the student is not in attendance for the full academic year, if the applicant does not attend at all, or if they do not draw down the full amount which was awarded (e.g., they drop out mid-year).

In addition, there are data reporting limitations regarding separating out grant payments by product; for this reason, the breakdowns of spend allocations of Maintenance Grants and other ‘targeted support’ products e.g., Adult Dependant Grant and Travel Grant etc. are reported as awards.

As a result, some figures for the most recent year are recalculated in the subsequent year’s version of this publication in order to capture a more finalised figure. This is necessary for some grant products and DSA. This may result in changes to sub and grand totals.

An early indication of what has been paid/awarded two months into the latest academic year (in this publication, 2024/25) is provided in the early-in-year section of the accompanying excel tables (Tables 7A to 7C (ii)). The number of payments/awards made will change markedly between this point and the end of the academic year as current students will receive further payments and additional students apply for student support.

Executive summary – 2023/24 full year and 2024/25 early in year

For more detail, please click on the individual headline…

Undergraduate Maintenance Loans

An undergraduate Maintenance Loan is funding to help with day-to-day costs, such as rent or food, whilst studying. These loans are available to those studying an eligible undergraduate, initial teacher training or postgraduate certificate of education course, at an eligible higher education provider on a full or part-time basis. The amount awarded is dependent on household residual income.

12.4% increase in the total paid out in Maintenance Loans to full-time students in academic year 2023/24

Figure 2: Number of students domiciled in Wales receiving full-time Maintenance Loans and amount paid

The columns in this chart depict the number of students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount paid against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 3A (i)

Download the data for Figure 2 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 2 shows the number of full-time students in receipt of a Maintenance Loan in academic year 2013/14 was 52,100. Following an initial increase of 4.7% in 2014/15, annual increases have slowed year-on-year until 2017/18 when numbers remained relatively constant at 57,400. The following two academic years saw small reductions (of 0.6% and 0.9% respectively), before a small outlying increase in academic year 2020/21, reverting the total number paid out back to 2017/18 levels.

The three most recent academic years reported small decreases, most significantly in 2022/23 (by 3.9%), with a further 3.6% decrease in the most recent year, down to 52,400.

£172.8 million was paid out in the form of Maintenance Loans in 2013/14. There was a gradual increase until 2016/17 when the annual increases accelerated to a significant 21.1% to £238.6 million. This was as a result of the first notable rise in the maximum maintenance loan available (‘Elsewhere’ rate up by 15.0% from £5,376 to £6,183). Similar increases in the maximum loan were reported in the following two years, up by a further 12.0%, then 15.6% to £8,000. For more information on maximum loans available please refer to Table 1A.

The first, and only decrease in the amount paid out was reported in 2018/19 (down 4.1%). This was due to a small reduction in the number of loans paid out, coupled with a 3.5% decrease in the average loan taken. In 2019/20, the amount paid out remained relatively stable, followed by two consecutive years of notable increases (averaging 10.9%). In the most recent year a further increase of 12.4% was reported, up to £381.6 million. These latest increases are predominantly as a result of year-on-year increases in the average loan taken out (increasing by an average of 11.9% each year) potentially as a result of the increases in the maximum Maintenance Loan available (averaging 6.9% each year over the same period).

Maintenance Loans form 66.3% of the total full-time maintenance support package paid out in academic year 2023/24

Figure 3: Maintenance Loans paid and Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) awarded as a % of the total maintenance package paid out for students domiciled in Wales (full-time)

The line indicates the 50% point.

Source: Table 3A (i) and 4A (i)

Download the data for Figure 3 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 3 indicates Maintenance Loan payments and Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) awards as a percentage of the total maintenance package paid/awarded to full-time students domiciled in Wales.

The percentage attributed to Maintenance Loans was 56.6% in 2013/14. This increased to peak at 68.2% in 2017/18, then due to the change in policy following the Diamond Review, the percentage reduced year-on-year down to 56.4% in 2020/21.

In academic year 2021/22 this trend reversed, with the loan percentage increasing to 59.4%, then again in 2022/23 up to 62.7%.

This is due to the annual increases in the maximum Maintenance Loan available versus a freeze in the maximum WGLG available. For example, in academic year 2018/19 the maximum loan available was £8,000 (based on the ‘Elsewhere’ rate), £100 lower than the maximum WGLG available. By 2023/24, the maximum loan had increased to £10,720, whereas the maximum WGLG remains at £8,100.

For more information on maximum loans and grants available, please refer to Table 1A. For more details on the Welsh Government Learning Grant, please refer to page 10.

10.3% increase in the number of Maintenance Loans paid to part-time students in academic year 2023/24 – the fifth consecutive year of growth

Figure 4: Number of students domiciled in Wales receiving part-time Maintenance Loans and amount paid

The columns in this chart depict the number of students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount paid against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 5A

Download the data for Figure 4 (ODS, 6KB)

Maintenance Loans for part-time higher education students were introduced for new students (domiciled in Wales) in academic year 2018/19. Combined with the part-time Welsh Government Learning Grant, this forms the part-time maintenance package. For academic year 2023/24 this is up to a maximum of £6,488.

Figure 4 shows that in the first year of availability 3,100 part-time loans were issued. Take-up rapidly increased in the second year (characteristically for a new student support type) by 86.3% up to 5,700. This consistent year-on-year growth has since slowed to 10.3% in academic year 2023/24, to peak at 11,200 borrowers.

In 2018/19, £4.5 million was paid out in the form of part-time Maintenance Loans. This increased by 85.4% to £8.3 million in the following year. Increases slowed to 20.7% by 2022/23, then in the most recent year an additional 37.7% was paid out to part-time students, a total of £24.4 million.

The higher increase reported in the total paid out, compared to that of the number of loans paid out can most likely be attributed to the 9.4% increase in the maximum entitlement in comparison to 2022/23 (from £5,929). This has been the most significant increase since the introduction of this loan.

Welsh Government Learning Grant

The Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) is funding to help with day-to-day costs, such as rent or food, whilst studying. WGLG’s are available to both full-time and part-time higher education students studying at an eligible higher education provider and studying an eligible undergraduate, initial teacher training or postgraduate certificate of education. The amount awarded is dependent on household residual income and is a non-repayable grant. Students can take both WGLG and a Maintenance Loan as a combined maintenance package to cover living expenses.

Full-time Welsh Government Learning Grant take-up remains relatively stable, down by 0.3% to 48,800

Figure 5: Number of students domiciled in Wales receiving full-time Welsh Government Learning Grant and amount awarded*

The columns in this chart depict the number of students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount awarded against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 4A

Download the data for Figure 5 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 5 shows that the number of full-time students in receipt of a Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) in academic year 2013/14 was 33,900. Numbers remained relatively constant, circa. 34,000 through 2017/18.

As a result of the Diamond review of Welsh student funding, from academic year 2018/19 a minimum amount of £1,000 in Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) was to be awarded to every new full-time student, regardless of their household residual income. This change in policy caused a significant increase in take-up (up 18.8%) in the first year with 40,000 grants awarded. Increases continued in the subsequent two years (up 13.4% and 11.8% respectively), to peak at 50,700.

Following a year of relative stability, 2022/23 saw a 3.4% decrease in take-up, down to 48,900. In the most recent year numbers have again remained relatively unchanged, with a 0.3% decrease (-150).

The total amount awarded in full-time WGLG was £132.5 million in academic year 2013/14. This reduced year on year to its lowest point of £127.7 million by 2016/17. In line with the number of grants awarded, the amount awarded increased significantly to peak at £227.1 million in 2020/21. In the following year, the first decrease was reported (down 2.8% to £220.8 million). Decreases have continued in the subsequent two years, most significantly in 2022/23, by 8.3%. Academic year 2023/24 reported a 4.2% decrease, down to £193.9 million.

Small reduction in the proportions of eligible full-time students awarded both full and partial Welsh Government Learning Grants

Figure 6: Proportion of full-time Welsh Government Learning Grants awarded by level of grant support*

The legend follows the same order as the stacks in the columns.

Source: Table 4A*

Download the data for Figure 6 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 6 shows how the changes in Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) policy have affected the proportions of full-time Wales-domiciled students receiving different levels of support.

Between academic year 2013/14 and 2017/18, the split of WGLG awarded by the level of support averaged at 36% for a full grant, 28% for partial grant and 35% who were eligible, but not entitled to a grant.

Over the academic years following the Diamond review in 2018/19, it is evident that the majority of the previously ‘eligible but not entitled’ students (‘nil’ category) have concluded their studies, as this proportion has reduced down to less than 0.1% of all grant-eligible students. As a result, by academic year 2023/24 almost all full-time students were in receipt of some level of WGLG (99.97%).

In the first-academic year post-Welsh funding review, just 10% of all those awarded a full-time WGLG received the minimum £1,000. By academic year 2023/24, this has increased to 43%. In terms of the total amount awarded, the ‘minimum’ category of entitlement equated to £5.5 million in 2018/19, by 2023/24 this had increased to £20.9 million.

Since the funding-review, by academic year 2023/24 the percentage of eligible full-time Wales-domiciled students receiving a full grant has reduced to 27% (down from 29% in the previous year). Those receiving a partial grant have decreased to 30% (down from 31% in the previous year).

*Please note: Figures relating to the newest cohort of applicants (From 2018/19) have been revised. Please see supporting tables for more detail.

8.5% increase in part-time Welsh Government Learning Grant take-up in 2023/24, up to 14,100 students

Figure 7: Number of students domiciled in Wales receiving part-time Welsh Government Learning Grant and amount awarded

The columns in this chart depict the number of students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount awarded against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 5A

Download the data for Figure 7 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 7 shows that in academic year 2018/19 (the first year of availability), the part-time Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) was awarded to 4,500 students. Characteristically, large increases typical for a new student support type, were reported in both the second and third years (of 81.8% and 40.5% respectively) to 11,400.

Whilst the rate of increase has since slowed, the number of part-time grants awarded has continued to rise, to peak at 14,100 in 2023/24 (up 8.5% on the previous year).

In 2018/19, the first year of the part-time WGLG £10.0 million was awarded. With similar growth rates to that of the number of grants awarded, the total amount awarded has increased to £34.4 million by 2023/24 (an 8.8% increase on the previous year).

The maximum amount of WGLG a part-time student could be awarded in 2023/24 was £4,500. This, combined with the part-time Maintenance Loan formed a maximum total maintenance support offering of £6,488.

As with the full-time Welsh Government Learning Grant, the amount awarded is dependent on household residual income and course intensity.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee Loans

An undergraduate Tuition Fee Loan covers the cost of the tuition fees charged by the university or college. These loans are available to those studying an eligible undergraduate, initial teacher training or Postgraduate Certificate of Education course, at an eligible higher education provider on a full or part-time basis. Tuition Fee Loans are not dependent on household residual income.

Third year of decrease in the number of Tuition Fee Loans paid out on behalf of full-time students in academic year 2023/24, at 50,900

Figure 8: Number of Tuition Fee Loans paid on behalf of full-time Wales and EU (outside UK) domiciled students and amount paid

The columns in this chart depict the number of students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount paid against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 3B (i)

Download the data for Figure 8 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 8 shows that the number of Tuition Fee Loans paid out on behalf of full-time students in 2013/14 was 50,600. This number gradually increased to 57,100 by 2017/18. Numbers then reduced slightly over the subsequent two academic years (by 0.1% and 0.5% respectively) followed by an outlying increase to peak at 57,700 in 2020/21. Numbers have since reduced to 50,900 (a 3.6% reduction in 2023/24 compared to the previous year).

The amount paid out in the form of full-time Tuition Fee Loans in 2013/14 was £172.6 million. This rose steadily to £223.6 million by 2017/18.

From academic year 2018/19 the maximum Tuition Fee Loan available increased significantly to accommodate the change to policy in which new full-time students could be charged a maximum of £9,250 in Tuition Fees (in line with England-domiciled students). This was considerably more than the £4,296 charged to all full-time students in the previous year (+ 115%). Continuing students in 2018/19 however, would remain on the 2012/13 cohort arrangement for the duration of their studies e.g., charged £4,450 for academic year 2018/19’s tuition (and then increasing by an average of 2.7% per academic year).

This change in policy resulted in the amount paid out in the form of Tuition Fee Loans increasing by a considerable 43.3% to £320.5 million in 2018/19. A further contributing factor to this increase was the discontinuation of Tuition Fee Grants to new full-time students in that year, following the Diamond Review.

Notable increases were also evident in the following two years to eventually peak at £470.8 million in 2020/21. These further increases can be attributed to the reducing proportion of students who remained eligible for the lower Tuition Fee Loans and/or the Tuition Fee Grant (pre-2018/19 students).

In academic year 2021/22 the first, albeit small decrease was reported (down 1.2%). This was followed by two more substantial decreases of 4.5% and 2.4% respectively, down to £433.3 million by 2023/24.

More information on the Diamond Review can be found on GOV.UK.

By academic year 2023/24 Tuition Fee Grants made up less than 0.1% of the total tuition fee support package, now almost completely replaced by Tuition Fee Loans

Figure 9: Amount paid/awarded in full-time tuition fee support split by Tuition Fee Loan and Tuition Fee Grant

The legend follows the same order as the stacks in the columns.

Source: Table 3B (i) and 4D

Download the data for Figure 9 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 9 illustrates the changing proportion of Tuition Fee Loans vs. Tuition Fee Grants between academic years 2013/14 and 2023/24.

In 2013/14, Tuition Fee Loans made up 51.7% of the total tuition fee support package. By 2023/24, this had increased to 100% (to one decimal place) as all remaining Tuition Fee Grant-eligible students will have concluded their studies (pre-2018/19 students).

The diminishing proportion of full-time students eligible for the grant is particularly evident between academic years 2017/18 and 2020/21 as there was minimal change in the total number of full-time students accessing tuition fee support, yet the proportion attributed to grants decreased considerably (from 54.5% to just 5.1%).

By 2023/24 Tuition Fee Grants made up less than 0.1% of the total tuition fee support package.

Increases in the average full-time Tuition Fee Loan paid out by Student Finance Wales, across all UK countries of study

Figure 10: Average full-time Tuition Fee Loans funded by Student Finance Wales by country of study (post 2018/19 entry cohort funding)

First cluster labelled.

Source: Table 3C (i)

Download the data for Figure 10 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 10 displays the average amount paid in full-time undergraduate Tuition Fee Loans between academic years 2018/19 and 2023/24, based on the country in which the undergraduate is studying.

The average differs depending on the country and type of provider that the student chooses to study in. This is due to the differing amounts that each country/provider-type in the UK charges for tuition fees.

The average full-time Tuition Fee Loan for a Wales-domiciled student studying in Wales increased from £8,340 in 2018/19 to £8,450 by 2020/21. This has since reduced overall to £8,360 by 2023/24 (yet a £120 increase in the most recent year).

The average full-time loan for a Wales-domiciled student studying in England increased from £8,720 in 2018/19 to £8,850 in 2019/20 then has since decreased overall down to £8,680 by 2023/24 (yet a £60 increase in the most recent year).

The average full-time loan for a Wales-domiciled student studying outside of Wales or England (‘Other’) increased from £8,470 by 2018/19 to £8,790 in 2020/21 then has since decreased overall down to £8,620 by 2023/24 (yet a notable £210 increase in the most recent year).

The graph demonstrates that Wales-domiciled students studying in Wales have consistently had the lowest average loan amount when compared to those studying in either England and ‘Other’ (outside of England and Wales).

The overall average across all UK countries of study marginally increased by £100 from £8,400 to £8,500 in academic year 2023/24 (up 1.2%). Lower increases in recent years have been as a result of the overwhelming proportion of borrowers being entitled to post-2018 funding levels, coupled with the continued freeze of the maximum amounts UK providers can charge in tuition fees.

Continued increase in the number of Tuition Fee Loans paid on behalf of part-time students in academic year 2023/24, to 12,300

Figure 11: Number of Tuition Fee Loans paid on behalf of part-time Wales and EU (outside UK) domiciled students and amount paid

The columns in this chart depict the number of students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount paid against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 5A

Download the data for Figure 11 (ODS, 6KB)

Tuition Fee Loans were made available to part-time students studying in Wales in academic year 2014/15.

Figure 11 shows that, in the first year of availability Tuition Fee Loans were paid on behalf of 2,200 part-time students. Take-up significantly increased in the second year (characteristic for a new student support-type), up 58.8% to 3,500. Typically, growth then slowed, down to 7.2% by 2017/18.

There was a subsequent period of significant increase between 2018/19 and 2020/21 (averaging at 28.4% per year), up to 10,800 which could be attributed to the discontinuation of the part-time Course Grant to new students in academic year 2017/18.

From 2021/22 increases again slowed, falling to 3.3% in the following year. Increases have picked up pace slightly in the latest two academic years, with 4.3% in 2022/23 and 5.5% in the most recent year, to 12,300 students.

Showing a consistent trend to that of the number of loans paid out, in the first year of the part-time Tuition Fee Loan, £2.6 million was paid on behalf of students. This increased, first by a notable 77.3%, then to £13.4 million by 2020/21. Smaller, yet growing increases are evident in the latest three years, most recently up 13.2% in 2023/24 to £17.8 million.

Postgraduate loans & grants

A Postgraduate Master’s or Doctoral Loan is funding to help with course and living costs whilst studying an eligible postgraduate level course. They are paid directly to the student and are not based on their income or the residual income of their household. Students studying either a Postgraduate Certificate of Education or an initial teacher training course are not eligible for postgraduate funding, they can alternatively apply for undergraduate finance. From academic year 2019/20, Postgraduate Master’s students are also entitled to a means-tested grant.

2023/24 reports the third year of, albeit slowing decrease in Postgraduate Master’s Loan take-up, down by a further 2.1%

Figure 12: Number of students domiciled in Wales and EU (outside UK) receiving Postgraduate Master’s loans

The columns in this chart depict the number of students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount paid against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 6A

Download the data for Figure 12 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 12 indicates that in the first year of availability, 3,400 students received a Postgraduate Master’s Loan. Typically for a new student support-type, in the second year numbers notably increased, up by 52.5% to 5,200. In 2019/20 an additional 18.4% received a master’s loan.

Academic year 2020/21 reported a more significant increase in take-up (up 28.4%) to 8,000. This could be attributed to the perceived reduced employment opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, either encouraging undergraduates to continue to postgraduate level or non-students to return to study.

In 2021/22, figures normalised resulting in the first decrease in take-up (down 14.1%) to 6,800.  However, figures have continued to decrease, more significantly in the subsequent year, then again but to a much lesser extent in 2023/24, bringing numbers down by a further 2.1%, to 5,700. The 2023/24 position is lower than in 2019/20, prior to the COVID-19 related increase.

The amount paid out in Postgraduate Master’s Loans follows a near identical trend. In the first year, £28.3 million was paid out, increasing to peak at £74.5 million by 2020/21. In the three most recent years, amounts have reduced, most significantly in 2022/23 (-14.5%).

In 2023/24, £54.9 million was paid out, 0.8% less than in the previous year. This amount is in line with that paid out in 2019/20.

In line with master’s loans, 2023/24 records the third year of reduced take-up for Postgraduate Master’s Grant

Figure 13: Number of students domiciled in Wales and EU (outside UK) receiving Postgraduate Master’s Grant and amount awarded

The columns in this chart depict the number of students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount awarded against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 6D

Download the data for Figure 13 (ODS, 6KB)

From 1 August 2019, eligible students ordinarily resident in Wales and those from the EU (outside UK) studying at a Welsh institution have been entitled to a Postgraduate Master’s Grant in addition to the Postgraduate Master’s Loan as a contribution towards costs whilst completing a postgraduate master’s degree course.  

The maximum grant available has remained unchanged at £6,885. As with the Welsh Government Learning Grant (WGLG) for undergraduate students, there is a minimum £1,000 non-means-tested contribution available to all eligible students.

Figure 13 shows that in the first year of availability, 5,300 postgraduate master’s students were awarded a grant. In the following year, this increased by 53.2% to peak at 8,200.

Since 2020/21, take-up has declined. First by 11.4%, then by a further 13.8% in 2022/23. Numbers have continued to reduce in 2023/24, yet by a much lesser amount (down 1.1%), to 6,200).

A total of £18.8 million in Postgraduate Master’s Grants was awarded in academic year 2019/20. Following a significant 42.1% increase in the following year to peak at £26.7 million, mirroring the trend of borrower numbers, amounts have since decreased, down to £17.5 million by 2023/24.

First decrease in the amount of Postgraduate Doctoral Loans paid out, despite the number of loans remaining relatively constant in 2023/24

Figure 14: Number of students domiciled in Wales and EU (outside UK) receiving Postgraduate Doctoral Loans and amount paid

The columns in this chart depict the number of students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount paid against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 6B

Download the data for Figure 14 (ODS, 6KB)

In academic year 2018/19, Postgraduate Doctoral Loans were made available to both eligible Wales and EU (outside UK)-domiciled students who commenced an eligible doctoral degree course.

Students can apply for the loan amount they will require for the entire duration of their course (up to a maximum of £28,395 in academic year 2023/24) whilst also providing an estimate of the number of years over which they will study (this can be changed at any time). Each academic year’s instalment is capped at a maximum rate (at £14,195 for 2023/24 applicants).

Figure 14 indicates that in the first year of availability, 137 postgraduates received a doctoral loan. In the second and third year, numbers considerably increased (up 126.3% and 67.7% respectively) to 520. These levels of increase are characteristic for a new student support-type.

Numbers have continued to increase, yet at a slowing rate each year - down to a 0.3% increase by 2023/24, to 660.

Academic year 2018/19 reported a total of £0.8 million paid out to eligible students. Mirroring the trend in loan numbers, in the second and third year the amount paid out increased significantly (up 141.7% and 62.7% respectively) to £3.1 million.

The amount of loans paid out continued to increase but at a lesser rate, up to £3.9 million by 2022/23. Academic year 2023/24 however, reported the first decrease, down 2.9% to £3.8 million.

In the most recent year there has been 3.2% decrease in the average amount borrowed in comparison to 2022/23. This is despite a 34% increase in the annual cap (the first increase since the introduction of Postgraduate Doctoral Loans), from £10,609 to £14,195. This could be attributed to Doctoral students opting to take higher amounts of their maximum annual rate in the first years of their Doctoral course, and lesser amounts in subsequent years of their course.

Disabled Students’ Allowance

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is an additional part of the student finance package and helps pay for extra costs a student might incur in higher education as a direct result of their disability. This includes long-term health conditions, mental health difficulties, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia or dyspraxia etc.  The allowance is non-repayable and does not depend on household income. The individual’s condition must meet the definition of a disability under the Equality Act 2010. Generally, Disabled Students’ Allowance is paid direct to the providers of equipment and services covered by the allowance although students may receive some funding paid directly to them, depending on their circumstances.

6.2% increase in the amount paid out in full-time students Disabled Students’ Allowance in academic year 2022/23

Figure 15: Amount of DSA paid on behalf of full-time students by category and academic year (effective one year later)

The columns in this chart depict the number of students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount paid against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 4B

Download the data for Figure 15 (ODS, 6KB)

The vast majority of Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is paid to suppliers once the Student Loans Company receive the invoices for equipment or services.  As invoices continue to be received well after the end of the academic year, we capture a more finalised position by quoting figures an academic year later than much of this publication.

Figure 15 shows that the total number of full-time students in receipt of DSA for the 2013/14 academic year was 3,400. Numbers have fluctuated over the years, peaking in 2020/21 at 3,700 claimants. In 2022/23, numbers remained relatively consistent to the previous year (and to 2013/14), at 3,400.

The total amount claimed in full-time DSA was £8.4 million for the 2013/14 academic year. This has also fluctuated over the years with the first decrease reported in 2015/16 (- 5.5%), potentially due to the change in policy by which students were required to contribute £200 towards the cost of equipment coming into effect in that academic year. The amount increased most significantly in 2018/19 (up 8.2% to £8.4 million). Following the most notable decrease in 2021/22 (of 11.6%), there has been a 6.2% increase in the most recent year, to £7.7 million.

As at 31 August 2024, a total of £7.5 million has been paid for academic year 2023/24 for full-time DSA. This is a 4.5% increase on the £7.2 million paid by the same point for 2022/23.

Early in year overview – academic year 2024/25

Table 7C (i) shows an early view of academic year 2024/25 at effective date 31 October 2024. This would be approximately two months into a typical academic year. These figures will be near-finalised in Table 2 of the next update of this publication, due to be released in November 2025.

By end-October 2024, a total of 68,600 undergraduates and postgraduates have been awarded/paid a total of £341.5 million for academic year 2024/25

Figure 16. Early-in-year: Number of students domiciled in Wales and EU (outside UK) receiving higher education support and amount awarded/paid

The columns in this chart depict the number of applicants/students against the left-hand axis, and the line illustrates the amount awarded/paid against the right-hand axis.

Source: Table 7C (i)

Download the data for Figure 16 (ODS, 6KB)

Figure 16 shows that by end-October in the 2013/14 academic year, a total of 56,500 undergraduates and postgraduates had been awarded/paid student support. This early position increased steadily over the subsequent six years to 70,700 by 2019/20. The total amount awarded/paid by this early point of the same academic years followed a very similar trend, growing from £145.5 million in 2013/14 to £294.8 million by 2019/20.

As at end-October 2020, a total of £433.4 million had been awarded/paid to 75,300 students for the 2020/21 academic year. Despite a 6.4% increase in the number of students awarded/paid, the amount awarded/paid was 47.0% higher than at the same point in the previous year. This significant increase was predominantly attributed to an early second instalment of undergraduate tuition fees payments made to higher education providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic  (two payments made in October 2020, instead of the typical schedule of one instalment paid in October and one in the following February). For further detail, please refer to our Additional Information section.

Figures normalised in the following year with the amount awarded/paid reducing to £338.0 million. Omitting the previous outlying year, the amount awarded/paid showed a steady increase between 2019/20 and 2021/22, in line with previous annual increases.

The early-in-year view of academic year 2022/23 however indicated a further decrease in both the number awarded/paid and the amount awarded/paid (down 3.6% and 2.8% respectively). Whilst the decline in numbers continued into a further year, a small increase in the amount awarded/paid was reported in 2023/24 (up 1.4%).

As at 31 October 2024, a total of 68,600 applicants/students have been paid for academic year 2024/25. This continued the downward trend beginning in 2021/22 (by a further 1.3%). The amount awarded/paid however has seen a second increase, up by a further 2.5% to £341.5 million.

Of this, £319.3 million has been awarded/paid so far to 63,500 undergraduate students for academic year 2024/25. The number awarded/paid is 1.0% below the end-October position in the previous year (600 fewer) yet the amount awarded/paid is 2.8% higher (up by £8.7 million). This could be attributed to a further 4.0% increase in the maximum full-time Maintenance Loan available for academic year 2024/25.

Full-time undergraduate numbers have reduced by a further 2.1%, down to 53,000 offset by a 5.0% increase in part-time undergraduates, at 10,500.

The early look at the 2024/25 academic year also indicates a total of £22.2 million has been paid to 5,100 postgraduate students so far. In comparison to the same point in 2023/24, this is a further 5.1% decrease in the number of postgraduates paid (down by 300) and a 1.3% decrease in the amount paid out (£0.3 million less).

Early figures indicate a potential further, although slowing decline in the number of new students receiving student finance in academic year 2024/25

Figure 17: Early-in-year: Number of new and returning students domiciled in Wales and EU (outside UK) awarded/paid student support

Source: Table 7C (ii)

Download the data for Figure 17 (ODS, 6KB)

‘New’ students are defined as those who have not previously received student support from the Student Loans Company (SLC). ‘Returning’ students are defined as those who have.

Figure 17 indicates that the number of ‘new’ students awarded/paid student support by the end-October position for academic year 2019/20 was 27,000. This increased to peak at 29,300 by the same point in the following year (up 8.4%). Since then, numbers have decreased, most significantly in 2022/23 (down by 5.4% to 26,300). However, whilst the declining trend continued, the rate has slowed.

As at end-October 2024, the number of ‘new’ students awarded/paid for academic year 2024/25 was 24,800, 2.3% lower than at the same point in 2023/24.

The trend in ‘returning’ students follows a similar pattern yet includes a much larger proportion of students. The number of ‘returning’ students who had been awarded/paid student support by end-October in academic year 2019/20 was 43,700.

This increased to peak at 46,700 in 2021/22. Numbers have since declined, most notably in 2023/24 (down by 3.3% to 44,100). As reported in ‘new’ students however, whilst the declining trend has continued, the rate has slowed.

At end-October 2024, the number of ‘returning’ students awarded/paid for academic year 2024/25 was 43,700, 0.7% lower than at the same point in 2023/24.

As a proportion of all awarded/paid students at this early point in the academic year, ‘new’ students have decreased overall from 38.2% in 2019/20 down to 36.2% by 2024/25. ‘Returning’ students have increased overall from 61.8% to 63.8% over the same period.

Additional Information

Available student financial support

Details on student support available in academic year 2022/23 and 2024/25 can be found the Student Finance Wales website.

Factors affecting early in year figures academic year 2020/21

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education and devolved administrations of Wales and Northern Ireland requested that the Student Loans Company revised the schedule of undergraduate tuition fee payments to higher education providers for the 2020/21 academic year. This revision enabled providers to access the second instalment of tuition fee payments early (two paid in October 2020, instead of first paid October 2020 and second in February 2021), while ensuring that students were not impacted by the change. This is evident on Table 7C (i) and (ii). The normal schedule resumed in academic year 2021/22.

These early in year figures for academic year 2020/21 may also have been affected by the Ofqual standardisation of grades, allowing students whose exams were cancelled in the summer of 2020 to receive calculated grades enabling them to progress to further study. For more information please refer to GOV.UK.

Definitions

For definitions of terms used in our publication, please refer to our Definitions page.

Data Sources

This publication uses data from Student Loans Company (SLC) administrative systems. For details of the administrative data sources used in our publications please refer to our Statement of Administrative Sources.

Data Quality

Student Loans Company has published the quality guidelines that it follows. As per those guidelines a quality plan is produced for each publication. The quality plan stipulates two stages of quality assurance. Data is extracted from the administrative systems then reviewed using a standard quality assurance checklist. The statistical tables created using that data are quality assured using the statistical quality guidelines. Refer to our Quality Guidelines for further information.

Student Loans Company publish statistics on Higher Education Funding for England and Northern Ireland as part of the same series this publication belongs to. These are published at the same time as part of the series Student Support for Higher Education.

In December 2020, owing to the significant public interest, SLC took the decision to publish data on the withdrawal notifications it receives from higher education providers (HEPs) in order to contribute towards an understanding of how the COVID-19 pandemic may be impacting students. Due to ongoing interest, SLC continues to publish this series. These publications are housed within our Other Statistics section of GOV.UK.

Student Loans Company also publish statistics on the repayment of student loans for higher education in the series ‘Student Loans in Wales’. The latest release of this series, covering financial year 2023-24 was published on 20 June 2024.

The Student Awards Agency for Scotland publish details of higher education funding in Scotland in their publication ‘Higher Education Student Support in Scotland’. The latest release of this series was published on 29 August 2024 covering academic session 2023/24.

National Statistics

This is a National Statistics publication. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.

This publication series (publications for England, Wales & Northern Ireland) was awarded National Statistics status in October 2011 following a full assessment against their Code of Practice. 

Since the assessments by the Office for Statistics Regulation we have continued to comply with the Code of Practice for Statistics and have made several improvements. For more information, please refer to our National Statistics page.

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SLC SP06/2024

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