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.

Application deadlines change each year, but for new students the deadline is usually in May.

Tuition Fee Loan

From September 2024, universities in Wales will be able to charge up to £9,250 a year for undergraduate tuition, bringing them into line with universities elsewhere in the UK.

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 amount of Tuition Fee Loan you get does not depend on your household income
• 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.

Maintenance funding is made up of a combination of:

• Maintenance Loan
• Maintenance Grant

All eligible Welsh students will be able to apply for up to a maximum of £12,150 maintenance funding for the academic year 2024 to 2025. If you are studying in London and living away from home, you will be able to apply for up to a maximum of £15,170.

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.

For example:

If you are from a lower household income (£18,370 or less), you could qualify for a grant of £8,100 to go towards your living costs, with the remaining £4,050 being in the form of a loan.

Key things to know:

• A Maintenance Loan must be repaid. A Maintenance Grant does not have to be repaid, unless you leave your course, or your circumstances change
• All eligible Welsh students will qualify for a minimum Maintenance Grant of £1000, regardless of your household income
• Student Finance Wales will pay your Maintenance Loan and Maintenance Grant directly into your bank account in 3 instalments, usually at the beginning of each term
• Part-time students will receive similar support on a pro-rata basis based on the course’s intensity
• You may need to provide evidence of your identity and to prove your household income
• Maintenance Loans must be repaid, and you will be charged interest on your loan from the first day the money is paid into your bank until the loan is paid in full or cancelled

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:

• Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
• Students with children Childcare Grant
• Students with children Parents’ Learning Allowance (PLA)
• Adult Dependants’ Grant (ADG)

Key things to know about extra support funding:

• You may need to apply for extra support funding separately to your main funding application
• You may need to supply evidence that you qualify for any of the extra support funding available. Check what evidence is required at Student Finance Wales
• Extra funding may be paid directly into your bank account or directly to the company providing your support service
• You normally will not have to pay back extra support grants and allowances, but always check

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

Scholarships and bursaries

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.

Repaying your student loan

Budgeting tips

Get tips to manage your money as a student (Moneyhelper)

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