UK Student Loan Repayment Calculator
Student loans are repaid through the tax system: you repay 9% of everything you earn over your plan’s threshold (6% for postgraduate loans), whether you are employed or self-employed.
Choose your plan and enter your income to see your annual, monthly and weekly repayments.
How the calculation works
We believe numbers should be transparent. Here is the formula behind this calculator.
Worked example
Worked example: £35,000 salary on Plan 2 in 2026/27
Examples at common levels
See how the numbers change at typical input levels, using the updated for tax year 2026/27 rates.
| Scenario | Annual repayment | Monthly repayment | Weekly repayment | Share of your income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £30,000 · Plan 2 Small repayment over the £29,385 threshold | £55.35 | £4.61 | £1.06 | 0.2% |
| £40,000 · Plan 2 Standard case | £955.35 | £79.61 | £18.37 | 2.4% |
| £40,000 · Plan 1 Lower threshold → higher repayment | £1,179.00 | £98.25 | £22.67 | 2.9% |
| £40,000 · Postgraduate 6% rate on income over £21,000 | £1,140.00 | £95.00 | £21.92 | 2.9% |
Important assumptions
- Repayments are 9% of income above your plan threshold (6% for postgraduate loans).
- Thresholds rise each April — this calculator uses the threshold for the selected tax year.
- Repayments are taken from all income above the threshold, so income from multiple jobs is combined by HMRC.
- The calculator shows annual repayments and does not model interest, early payoff or the 30-year write-off.
Rates & official sources
Every calculation is based on the official rates and rules published by GOV.UK and HMRC.
Frequently asked questions
Which student loan plan am I on?
Plan 1: courses started before September 2012. Plan 2: 2012 to 2023. Plan 4: Scottish borrowers. Plan 5: courses starting after August 2023. Postgraduate loans are separate and repaid at 6%.
Do I start repaying if my income drops below the threshold?
No. You only repay when your income is above your plan’s threshold, and repayments pause automatically if your income falls below it.
What happens if I never pay it off?
Any balance left after the loan’s write-off point is cancelled — typically 30 years after you become eligible to repay (40 years for Plan 5). The exact rules depend on your plan.
Do student loan repayments affect my take-home pay?
Yes. Repayments are deducted from your pay alongside Income Tax and National Insurance, so they reduce your take-home pay. Use the salary calculator with your plan selected to see the full monthly effect.
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View calculatorRelated guides
New to the topic? Read a plain-English guide on salary & tax, with worked examples and tips.
How UK Income Tax works
The tax-free allowance, rate bands and how PAYE takes tax from your pay.
Read the guide TaxPAYE explained
How pay as you earn collects Income Tax and NI from your salary.
Read the guide TaxUnderstanding tax bands
Basic, higher and additional rate explained with worked examples.
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Read the guide TaxUK tax rates and allowances 2026/27
Every UK tax rate and allowance for the 2026/27 tax year in one place — income tax, National Insurance, VAT, dividends, corporation tax, student loans and more.
Read the guide TaxHigh Income Child Benefit Charge explained
How the High Income Child Benefit Charge works — the £60,000 threshold, the 1% clawback and what you repay.
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Read the guideThese calculations are estimates for guidance only and are not professional financial, tax or legal advice. UK rates and rules change, so always verify important figures with official GOV.UK / HMRC information or speak to a qualified professional. See our full disclaimer.