Student loan repayments 2026/27
Reviewed by ClearPayslip editorial teamUpdated on Methodology
Short answer
In 2026/27 you repay 9% of your income above £26,900 on Plan 1, £29,385 on Plan 2, £33,795 on Plan 4 and £25,000 on Plan 5, plus 6% above £21,000 on a Postgraduate Loan. Repayments are taken through payroll.
Key facts
- Plan 1:9% above £26,900 a year.
- Plan 2:9% above £29,385 a year.
- Plan 4:9% above £33,795 a year.
- Plan 5:9% above £25,000 a year.
- Postgraduate Loan:6% above £21,000 a year.
| Plan | Who has it | Threshold (year) | Per month | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan 1 | England or Wales students who started before September 2012, and Northern Ireland students | £26,900 | £2,241 | 9% |
| Plan 2 | England or Wales students who started between September 2012 and July 2023 | £29,385 | £2,448 | 9% |
| Plan 4 | Scottish students (SAAS) | £33,795 | £2,816 | 9% |
| Plan 5 | England students who started on or after 1 August 2023 | £25,000 | £2,083 | 9% |
| Postgraduate Loan | Master’s and doctoral loans (England and Wales) | £21,000 | £1,750 | 6% |
Monthly thresholds are the annual threshold divided by 12, rounded down; payroll applies them per pay period, so repayments depend on what you earn each month.
How much you repay by salary
| Salary | Plan 1 | Plan 2 | Plan 4 | Plan 5 | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £25,000 | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | £240 |
| £30,000 | £279 | £55 | £0 | £450 | £540 |
| £35,000 | £729 | £505 | £108 | £900 | £840 |
| £40,000 | £1,179 | £955 | £558 | £1,350 | £1,140 |
| £50,000 | £2,079 | £1,855 | £1,458 | £2,250 | £1,740 |
| £60,000 | £2,979 | £2,755 | £2,358 | £3,150 | £2,340 |
| £80,000 | £4,779 | £4,555 | £4,158 | £4,950 | £3,540 |
Things to know
- Repayments are worked out on gross pay before pension contributions under a net pay arrangement; salary sacrifice reduces them.
- If you have an undergraduate plan and a Postgraduate Loan, you repay both at the same time (15% in total above the thresholds).
- The Plan 2 threshold rose to £29,385 in April 2026 and the government has said it will stay at this level until April 2030.
- The Plan 5 threshold stays at £25,000 until April 2027.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Plan 2 threshold for 2026/27?
£29,385 a year (£2,448 a month). You repay 9% of anything you earn above it.
Which plan am I on?
It depends on where and when you started your course: Plan 1 for England or Wales before September 2012 and for Northern Ireland, Plan 2 for England or Wales from September 2012 (to July 2023 in England), Plan 4 for Scotland and Plan 5 for England from August 2023. You can check in your Student Loans Company account.
Does a student loan affect my tax?
No. Repayments come out of your take-home pay but do not change your Income Tax or National Insurance.