UK student loan compulsory repayments are 9% (Plans 1, 2, 4, 5) or 6% (Postgraduate) of income above the relevant plan threshold. Deducted automatically via PAYE. This calculator shows your annual / monthly / weekly repayment for FY 2025-26, plus a side-by-side comparison of all 5 plans.
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All 5 plans at this income
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The 5 UK student loan plans
Plan 1 — Pre-September 2012 English/Welsh undergraduates; all Northern Irish borrowers. Threshold £26,065. Written off after 25 years or age 65.
Plan 2 — September 2012 – July 2023 English/Welsh undergraduates. Threshold £28,470. Written off after 30 years.
Plan 4 — All Scottish borrowers (replaced the older plans for SAAS loans). Threshold £32,745.
Plan 5 — August 2023+ English undergraduates. Threshold £25,000 — lower than Plan 2 but with a 40-year repayment term, making most borrowers repay more in total.
Postgraduate — Master's or doctoral loans in England/Wales. Threshold £21,000 at 6% rate. Written off after 30 years.
Check your Student Loans Company online account or your most recent annual statement. Quick rules of thumb: Plan 1 if you started before September 2012 in England/Wales (or any time in NI). Plan 2 for September 2012 – July 2023 starters in England/Wales. Plan 4 for any Scotland borrower. Plan 5 for August 2023+ England undergrads. Postgraduate for master's/doctoral loans.
What are the FY 2025-26 thresholds?
Plan 1: £26,065. Plan 2: £28,470. Plan 4: £32,745. Plan 5: £25,000. Postgraduate: £21,000. Plans 1-5 charge 9% above the threshold; Postgraduate charges 6%.
What if I have multiple loans?
You repay on each loan SEPARATELY. Common case: undergraduate Plan 2 (9% above £28,470) AND Postgraduate (6% above £21,000) — paid simultaneously, totalling 15% above £28,470 (for the overlap) plus 6% on the £21,000-£28,470 band. This calculator handles one plan at a time; if you have multiple, sum the results.
Should I voluntarily overpay my student loan?
Generally no. UK undergraduate loans (especially Plan 2/5) are written off after 25-40 years regardless of balance, and the interest rate is high enough that many borrowers never repay in full. Voluntary overpayments may not actually reduce total cost. Postgraduate loans are more like normal debt and may benefit from overpayment. Get advice for your specific situation.
How long until my loan is written off?
Plan 1: 25 years after the April you first became eligible to repay, OR age 65, whichever is earlier. Plan 2: 30 years. Plan 4: 30 years. Plan 5: 40 years. Postgraduate: 30 years.
What income counts toward the threshold?
Gross PAYE earnings + most self-assessment income (self-employment, rental, dividends above £2,000, savings interest above thresholds). For PAYE-only earners with one employer, gross salary is the relevant figure.