Student Finance for mature students

This guide to student finance for mature students explains exactly what support you can get in the UK — including tuition fee loans, maintenance loans, mature student grants, part-time funding, eligibility rules, timelines, and repayments.

If you’re looking for student loans, finance, or student funding for mature students, this page covers everything you need to know for the 2025/26 academic year.

Who’s eligible as a mature student

Eligibility depends on three things:

Age

There is no upper age limit for the Tuition Fee Loan.
For the Maintenance Loan, you must start your course before turning 60.

Residency

You must meet the residency rules. In simple terms, most mature students qualify if they are:

• Settled status (no restrictions)
  
• Pre-settled status, working in the UK
  
• Indefinite Leave to Remain / ILR
  
• Irish citizen
  
• Refugee / humanitarian protection
  
• EU worker/self-employed route
  
• Returning resident who lived previously in the UK
  

Residency rules affect how much you receive — especially for maintenance loan calculations.

Previous study

If you have already started a degree before, it may affect your funding.
However, many mature students are still eligible if:

• The previous course was unfinished
  
• You’re switching to a course leading to a professional qualification
  
• You qualify for a gift year
  
• Or the previous study was outside the UK
  

If unsure, a personalised assessment is always best.

Can mature students get student loans?

Yes. Mature students can get:

• Tuition Fee Loan
  
• Maintenance Loan
  
• Grants for parents and dependants
  

✔ No upper age limit for tuition
✔ Available for Foundation Year and degree courses
✔ Covers full-time and most part-time routes

What student loans can mature students get

Mature students can access the same core funding as younger applicants — plus specific grants that are ideal for parents, such as the Childcare grant, which covers 85% of your childcare/nursery costs.

Student loans for mature students

The Tuition Fee Loan:

• Covers 100% of your university fees
  
• Is paid directly to the university
  
• Has no credit checks
  
• Has no age limit
  
• Is available for Foundation Year + degree

Every eligible mature student receives the same amount, regardless of income.

Maintenance Loan for mature students (Student Finance England)

This is the loan that helps with living costs.
The amount depends on:

• Your household income
  
• Whether you would study in London or outside of London
  
• Whether you study full-time or part-time
  
• Your residency status (settled or pre-settled, etc.)

For most mature students:

• If you have a settled status and live alone, → income is based on your income only
  
• If you live with a partner, their income counts
  
• If you have pre-settled status, you must be working regularly and earning at least £850/month

More on maintenance loan for mature students here.

Student finance calculator

Mature student grants UK (parents & dependants)

These grants do not need to be repaid and are available only for full-time students:

• Childcare Grant – covers up to 85% of childcare
  
• Parents’ Learning Allowance (PLA) – extra support for parents – around £2000 per year.
  
• Adult Dependant Grant (ADG) – if an adult depends on you financially – around £3000 per year
  
• Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) – for disabilities, mental health, or learning needs
  

Work + study: eligibility & impact

One of the biggest concerns for mature students is simple:
“Can I realistically study while working or caring for my family?”

The answer is yes.
UK universities have created study modes designed specifically for adults with jobs, kids, or busy schedules. You don’t need to quit your job, reduce your hours, or completely change your routine. You simply choose a flexible timetable that fits your life.

Here are the main options:

Evening classes

Many universities offer evening timetables, typically starting at 6 PM.
This allows full-time workers to:

• Work a normal day
  
• Attend classes after work
  
• Study at their own pace during evenings or weekends
  

It’s a popular choice for people working 9–5 jobs.

Weekend classes

Some courses allow you to study only on Saturdays or Sundays.
This is ideal for:

• Parents who have childcare during the weekend
  
• People working shifts
  
• Individuals who want one dedicated study day
  

Weekend timetables are especially common in business, computing, and health-related degrees.

One day on campus (the rest online)

Many blended-learning degrees require only one day in person, with the rest of the study done online through:

• Lecture recordings
  
• Virtual classrooms
  
• Digital textbooks
  
• Weekly assignments
  

This is perfect for mature students who want the structure of campus learning without the full weekly commitment.

10 AM – 2 PM timetables (ideal for parents)

Some universities offer “school hours” classes, running between 10:00 and 14:00.
These are ideal for mothers and parents who need to:

• Drop off and pick up children
  
• Study without affecting childcare
  
• Keep weekends free
  
• Avoid late evenings
  

These daytime timetables are becoming more common due to demand from mature students.

Fully online learning (with optional campus days)

For students who work full-time or have irregular shifts, fully online or hybrid courses are available. These include:

• Flexible online lectures
  
• Pre-recorded lessons
  
• Live virtual seminars
  
• Optional in-person workshops
  

This allows you to study anytime, including early mornings, evenings, or during breaks at work.

Blended learning (the most popular option)

Blended learning combines the best of both:

• One structured day on campus
  
• Online work for the rest of the week
  
• Recorded classes you can rewatch
  
• Discussion forums
  
• Tutor support
  

This mode is specifically designed for adults balancing work, family, and studies.

Shift workers and unpredictable schedules

For people working:

• NHS shifts
  
• Warehouse shifts
  
• Construction
  
• Hospitality
  
• Uber, Bolt, Deliveroo
  
• Retail
  

Flexible learning lets you study:

• During days off
  
• Between shifts
  
• Late evenings
  
• Early mornings
  
• Whenever your schedule allows
  

Universities know that mature students have real lives and real responsibilities — and they structure courses around that reality.

Can you work full-time and study full-time?

Yes, many mature students do exactly this.

Because timetables are flexible, you can:

• Keep your full-time job
  
• Study evenings/weekends
  
• Attend campus only one day per week
  
• Use online learning to fit study around your job
  

This is normal for adult learners — you won’t be the only one doing it.

Financial impact: Does working affect your funding?

Working does NOT reduce your Tuition Fee Loan or Maintenance Loan if you have settled status.

If you have pre-settled status, you need to maintain:

• Regular work
  
• Minimum earnings (usually around £850/month)
  

This keeps you eligible for “right to reside” rules.

Bottom line: It is possible, and universities know it

Studying as a mature student means:

• You learn at a flexible pace
  
• You build your future without losing your income
  
• You organise your study around your family
  
• You only attend campus when required
  
• You qualify while keeping your routine stable
  

UK universities have built entire programmes around the needs of adults — evening, weekend, school-hour classes, hybrid schedules, and online learning all exist because mature students are the majority in many courses.

You’re not the exception. Universities actually prefer mature students.

How to apply- quick steps for mature profiles

Applying for student funding for mature students is simple once your documents are ready.

Step 1: Prepare documents

You need:

• Passport / BRP
  
• Address proof
  
• Share code (if applicable)
  
• Income information (if required)
  
• Childcare or dependant details (if applying for grants)
  
• Course offer letter (can apply before receiving this)

Step 2: Apply online on the SFE website

Select your course, university, and funding options.

Step 3: Upload evidence

Most mature students upload residency documents and income documents.

Step 4: University confirms attendance

This releases payments.

Step 5: Receive the maintenance loan into your bank account

Usually three times per year.

Apply for student finance as a mature student (UK)

Repayments (on/after graduation – high level)

A lot of mature students worry about repayments before they even apply, so let’s make this simple.
With finance for mature students, you only start repaying after you pass the repayment threshold — not before.

Here’s how it works for 2025/26:

You only repay if you earn over £25,000 a year

This is the income threshold for Plan 5 loans. If you earn less than this, you repay nothing.

You repay 9% of what you earn above the threshold

Example:
If you earn £27,000, the repayment is based only on the £2,000 above the threshold.

• £2,000 × 9% = £180 per year
  
• That’s £15 per month
  

It’s income-based — not credit-based, and not linked to your total loan amount.

If your income drops, your repayments drop to £0

If you:

• Change jobs
  
• Reduce your hours
  
• Take maternity leave
  
• Switch to part-time
  
• Lose your job

Your repayments automatically stop until your income goes above the threshold again.

No pressure, no credit damage

Student loan repayments do not affect:

• your credit score
  
• your ability to get a mortgage
  
• your job applications

It’s not like a traditional loan.

Your loan clears after 40 years

Any remaining balance is wiped after 40 years, even if you haven’t repaid anything.

Repayments happen through your payslip

You don’t need to chase anything.
HMRC collects repayments automatically and adjusts based on your salary.

Student loan repayment calculator

Common scenarios for mature students 

University funding — mature students who already have a degree (ELQ overview)

If you already hold a degree:

• You may still get funding for specific new degrees (Nursing, Social Work, Allied Health, STEM)
  
• You may qualify for a “second chance” funded year
  
• You may receive a gift year if you have never completed your previous degree

Every scenario needs a personalised check.

Distance/blended?

Distance learning students can receive:

• Tuition Fee Loan
  
• DSA (if eligible)

But cannot receive:

• Maintenance Loan
  
• Parent/child grants

Blended full-time courses can access full funding.

Changing jobs?

If your income changes:

• With settled status, your personal income does NOT reduce your maintenance loan mid-year
  
• With pre-settled status, you must maintain your “right to reside” based on work
  
• If your household income increases or decreases significantly, you can request a “Current Year Income” assessment
  

FAQs

Do mature students get student loans in the UK?

Yes. Mature students can receive full tuition and maintenance support if they meet residency and income rules.

What’s the difference between loans and grants for mature students?

Loans must be repaid after you pass the income threshold.
Grants (Childcare Grant, PLA, ADG) do not need to be repaid.

Can I get student funding as a mature student if I study part-time?

Yes for tuition.
No for maintenance or parent grants.

Am I eligible for student finance as a mature student if I already have a degree?

Maybe. It depends on:

• The type of degree you want to do
  
• Whether your previous degree was completed
  
• Whether it’s a high-demand professional subject

How do I apply for student finance as a mature student (UK)?

Apply online at gov.uk/student-finance.
Upload ID, residency, and income evidence.
Your university confirms attendance.

When do repayments start for mature students, and how are they calculated?

Repayments start only after earning £25,000+, at 9% of income above that.

You can use this loan repayment calculator to find out exactly how much. 

What documents do I need for student finance as a mature student?

Passport or BRP

Proof of address

Share code (if applicable)

Income evidence

Childcare evidence (if applying)