Student Loan Repayment Calculator (UK)
Work out how much you repay on a UK student loan. You repay a percentage of everything you earn above your plan's threshold — 9% for undergraduate Plans 1, 2, 4 and 5, and 6% for a Postgraduate Loan. Pick your plan, check the threshold (editable, in case it changes), and enter your salary. Estimate only — confirm the current threshold on GOV.UK.
Calculate your repayments
Estimate only — see official link below.
How to Use This Student Loan Calculator
- Pick your plan. Most English/Welsh graduates who started 2012–2023 are on Plan 2; those starting from August 2023 are on Plan 5; Scotland is Plan 4; older loans are Plan 1.
- Check the threshold — it's pre-filled with 2025/26 figures but you can edit it if it has changed.
- Enter your annual income before tax. The calculator shows monthly, weekly and annual repayments.
How UK Student Loan Repayments Work
You repay 9% (undergraduate plans) or 6% (Postgraduate Loan) of everything you earn above your plan's threshold — not on your whole salary. The formula is:
annual repayment = rate × (income − threshold)
Repayments are taken automatically through PAYE (or Self Assessment if self-employed). If your income drops below the threshold, repayments stop. Any remaining balance is written off after a set period (which varies by plan), and the loan does not affect your credit score in the usual way.
2025/26 Thresholds and Rates
| Plan | Who's on it | Annual threshold | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan 1 | Pre-2012 (England/Wales) & Northern Ireland | £24,990 | 9% |
| Plan 2 | England/Wales, started 2012–2023 | £27,295 | 9% |
| Plan 4 | Scotland | £31,395 | 9% |
| Plan 5 | England, started from Aug 2023 | £25,000 | 9% |
| Postgraduate Loan | Master's / Doctoral loans | £21,000 | 6% |
Thresholds are reviewed annually and usually change each April — always confirm the current figure on GOV.UK.
Worked Example
A Plan 2 graduate earning £35,000:
- Income above threshold: £35,000 − £27,295 = £7,705.
- Annual repayment: 9% × £7,705 = £693.
- Monthly: about £58.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking you repay 9% of your whole salary. It's only on income above the threshold.
- Using the wrong plan. Plan and threshold depend on where and when you started studying.
- Forgetting Postgraduate Loans are separate. If you have both, you repay 9% (undergrad) + 6% (PGL) above the relevant thresholds at the same time.
- Over-paying voluntarily. For many borrowers the balance is written off before it's fully repaid, so extra payments can be wasted — check your situation first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do I repay on a £30,000 salary (Plan 2)?
9% of (£30,000 − £27,295) = 9% × £2,705 = about £243 a year, or roughly £20 a month.
Do I pay back student loans if I earn under the threshold?
No. Repayments only start once your income passes the threshold for your plan, and they stop automatically if your income falls back below it.
What's the difference between Plan 2 and Plan 5?
Both are England, both 9%. Plan 2 is for courses started 2012–2023 (threshold ~£27,295); Plan 5 is for courses started from August 2023 (threshold £25,000) and is written off after a longer period.
Are repayments based on income before or after tax?
On your gross (pre-tax) income above the threshold, and they're collected through PAYE alongside tax and National Insurance.
Is it worth paying off my student loan early?
Often not — many borrowers never repay the full balance before it's written off, so voluntary overpayments can be money wasted. Compare your expected total repayments against the balance before overpaying.