Grants and Loans
Overview
Some students pay the whole of their tuition and living costs from their own resources, some borrow the whole amount, while many borrow in part and self-finance in part, and a few benefit from scholarships and bursaries.
The loans available vary, based on your nationality, residence and the course you are taking. In many cases loans are available both from governments and private firms.
The sections below relate to the main student groups, if you do not fit into one of these categories and would like further information on financial support please contact us at studentfees@buckingham.ac.uk.
Jump to: Undergraduate UK students | Undergraduate EU students | Postgraduate students | Master’s loan | Postgraduate doctoral loan | Private loansUndergraduate UK students
Government Loan: Student Finance
Buckingham students may choose to apply for support from Student Finance England.
If this does not cover your full tuition fees, you can explore other options for the remaining balance, including self-funding, a StepEx FEA or a private loan (see further detail below).
From September 2026
| Programme | Maximum Tuition Fee Loan | Student Finance England Application Option |
|---|---|---|
| 8-term undergraduate programme | £15,660 | 2-year accelerated option |
| 9-term undergraduate programme | £16,310 | 3-year option |
8-term undergraduate programme
The maximum tuition fee loan available to Buckingham students on an 8-term undergraduate programme is £15,660 (£7,830 per annum). For the purpose of Student Finance England, 8 term degrees are deemed 2-year accelerated degrees; please select the 2-year accelerated option during your Student Finance application.
9-term undergraduate programme
The maximum tuition fee loan available to Buckingham students on a 9-term undergraduate programme is £16,310 (£6,525 + £6,525 + £3,260). For the purpose of Student Finance England, 9 term degrees are deemed 3-year degrees; please select the 3-year option during your Student Finance application.
Student Finance England loan information
- The repayable Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to the University. Buckingham students will not be eligible for a loan that covers the full tuition fee charged. If you are eligible for a Tuition Fee loan, it will be paid three times a year. The University of Buckingham runs four terms in a year, which means students are responsible for paying any remaining amounts not covered by the loan.
- An annual repayable Maintenance Loan is also available to help students with living costs. The amount of loan depends on both household income and the type of study. For further information, please visit: Loans and Grants – GOV.UK.
Sources of help include Student Finance and Grants and bursaries for adult learners. There are separate awards agencies for students from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Please note that applicants residing in Wales may not be eligible for student loans at this time. The University hopes to resolve this issue in the future but wishes to make current applicants aware that other avenues of financial support for studies may need to be explored. Applicants are advised to speak to the Student Loans Company in the first instance.
Watch: Student Finance, how and when to apply
From January 2027
The Government are introducing a new loan scheme for intakes from January 2027 onwards, called the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). Therefore, undergraduate students joining from January 2027 will need to apply for student loans through the LLE.
See also: Student finance if your course starts on or after 1 January 2027: Overview – GOV.UK
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) offers UK students a loan equivalent to four years of post-18 education for flexible upskilling and retraining. It covers full courses or modules (Level 4-6), with loan application starting from September 2026 for courses that begin in January 2027. The LLE offers flexible planning for part-time or online study and focuses on high-value skills. Loan repayments will follow a similar process to current student loans. Students should explore eligible courses via their online LLE account and understand the loan balance.
Please note: As a private University our loan levels are lower than standard Universities and therefore it is important that you know it may not cover the whole of your course fee.
Students are responsible for paying the remaining balance of the Termly Tuition Fee, less any student loan awarded, to the University prior to the start of term.
This also covers students who transfer to another course during or after January 2027 and therefore the loan taken within the old scheme will be taken into account to calculate the balance of LLE entitlement for the upcoming course.
Find out more about studying in 2027 on GOV.UK
The current loans system will continue for postgraduate courses – students should follow guidance from Student Finance.
Teacher training courses
For Teacher training courses, Student Finance England regards such courses as Undergraduate funding rather Postgraduate. Find out more.
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement explained: What you need to know
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement explained: How tuition fee loans work from 2027
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement explained: How repayments work
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
UK students who are registered disabled or dyslexic are entitled to the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). The DSA is obtained through Local Educational Authorities and is not a loan, but a grant.
DSA eligibility
Students from outside the UK are, unfortunately, not entitled to the Disabled Students’ Allowance.
Private loans
StepEx – Future Earnings Agreement
Undergraduate students may also apply for a Future Earning Agreement via StepEx to help cover the cost of tuition fees.
A Future Earning Agreement is a form of deferred payment scheme whereby a portion of course fees are waived in exchange for an agreement to repay a fixed percentage of post-graduation earnings for a limited period.
More information about Future Earning Agreements.
Undergraduate EU students
As an EU national, or a family member of an EU national, you can generally apply for financial help to cover the cost of tuition fees when studying in England (conditions apply – for more information, visit Student Finance). All eligible full-time EU students (whether new or continuing) can take out a tuition fee loan to help towards the cost of tuition fees.
The SFE loan is administered by The Student Loan Company and is funded by the UK government. You start to repay the loan after you have left your course and are earning above a certain amount.
For more information, contact Student Finance and/or Grants and bursaries for adult learners.
You may also be eligible for educational funding in your own country – please contact your own local education department for further details.
Postgraduate students
The Master’s Loan and Doctoral Loan is available with support from the UK Government and can be used for your course fees and living costs.
Master’s Loan
The Master’s Loan is available on our taught and research master’s courses in all subject areas.
For more information and eligibility visit: Gov.uk website – Master’s Loan.
Doctoral Loan
The Doctoral Loan is available on our doctoral courses.
For more information and eligibility visit: Gov.uk website – Doctoral Loan.
Teacher training courses
For teacher training courses, Student Finance England grades the courses as Undergraduate funding. Further information can be found at gov.uk/teacher-training-funding
Private loans
Sallie Mae loans
For students coming from the US, Sallie Mae offer private loans that are available as an option. Find out more on the Sallie Mae website.
Postgrad Solutions Bursaries
If you are looking for additional funding, Postgrad Solutions now offer five bursaries worth £2,000.
Find further details and apply on the Postgrad.com website.