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Funding for university

There is a range of student funding to help you with the cost of studying and living at university.

While you are studying you will have two main costs:

  • Tuition fees
  • Living costs

If you live in Wales, you can apply to Student Finance Wales for a tuition fee loan and various funding to help with your living costs.

Get more details of the support you can get at student finance for higher education (Welsh Government) and apply for student finance at Student Finance Wales.

Tuition Fee Loan

From September 2025, universities in Wales and England will be able to charge up to £9,790 a year for undergraduate tuition (depending on how much your course costs).

Full and part-time students can apply to Student Finance Wales for a loan that will cover the university tuition fees.

Key things to know:

  • The Tuition Fee Loan is usually paid directly to your university or college
  • Tuition Fee Loans must be repaid, including interest, but you will only start repaying this loan when you have finished your studies and you have started earning a salary

Funding for living costs

Welsh students can also apply to Student Finance Wales for funding to help with costs such as food, rent, books and other costs when you are studying at university or college, and often living away from home.

For undergraduates, maintenance funding is made up of a combination of:

  • Maintenance Loan
  • Maintenance Grant

How much of your maintenance funding comes from either a grant or loan will depend on your household income and where you study and live. Find out what you're entitled to based on your houselhold income on What's available - Student Finance Wales.

Extra support funding

You may also be able to apply for extra funding to support you with costs, if you have a disability or have caring responsibilities for children or an adult. Some of the extra support you may be able to apply for includes:

Find out more about Funding for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Scholarships, bursaries and grants

Don't forget to check if there are any scholarships, bursaries, or other grants that you could apply for in addition to your student finance funding.

Key things to know:

  • Scholarships are usually offered for achievement or excellence in academic achievement, sports or music and other creative subjects
  • Bursaries and grants are usually based on low household income or your personal circumstances, for example, if you have a disability or are from a particular region or country
  • Scholarships and bursaries can be offered by universities, colleges, employers, or other organisations who support students
  • Grants are usually offered by charities, trusts and other organisations
  • Most scholarships, bursaries, and other grants do not need to be repaid, but always check

Check your university or college website for any scholarships or bursaries that you could apply for. Research charities, trusts and other organisations that may also offer scholarships, bursaries, or grants.

Find out more about scholarships, bursaries and grants at UCAS.

Social work, teaching and healthcare courses

Healthcare workers, teachers and social workers may be eligible to receive separate funding to support them studying their courses. You may be able to apply for this funding, even if you have already received funding for an undergraduate course that you have completed.

The funding can change from year to year, so it is important to check the official National organisations' websites or contact them directly for the most up to date details.

Find out more about Funding for social work, teaching and healthcare courses.

Funding for postgraduate students

There's financial support available for the following postgraduate courses:

  • A Master’s course
  • A Doctoral course
  • Initial Teacher Education

For more on post-graduate funding, go to the Student Finance Wales website.

What will I have to pay back?

Remember, grants do not have to be paid back but loans do. You will need to pay back:

  • Tuition Fee Loans
  • Maintenance Loans
  • Postgraduate Loans

Interest is added to your loan from the first day the money is paid into your bank account or to your university or college. It is important to consider this before you take out a Tuition Fee Loan and/or a Maintenance Loan.

When will I have to start paying back?

Most undergraduate students will only start paying back their student loans when they have finished their studies and are earning a specific income.

The income threshold changes each year and may be slightly different depending on when you started studying and what course you are studying.

Find out more about Repaying your student loan (Gov.uk).

Find out more and apply

Find out who qualifies for student finance, get details about grants and loans, and apply.

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