Student Loan Repayment Calculator
Estimate monthly UK student loan repayments by plan type.
What is the Student Loan Repayment Calculator?
A student loan repayment calculator estimates how much is deducted from your salary each month toward your student loan, based on your plan type and annual salary. It works by comparing your salary against your plan's repayment threshold (each plan — Plan 1, 2, 4, 5 or Postgraduate Loan — has its own threshold and rate), then applying the relevant percentage (9% for undergraduate plans, 6% for the Postgraduate Loan) only to the portion of salary above that threshold. To calculate it manually: (salary − plan threshold) × plan rate, divided by 12 for a monthly figure — repayment thresholds are reviewed and can change, sometimes annually, so always confirm your specific plan and current threshold on gov.uk or via the Student Loans Company.
How it works
UK student loan repayments are calculated as a fixed percentage of your income above a plan-specific threshold — not a percentage of the loan balance itself. Different repayment plans (Plan 1, 2, 4, 5, and Postgraduate Loans) have different income thresholds and, for postgraduate loans, a different repayment percentage, but the mechanism (percentage of income above a threshold) is consistent across plans.
UK context
Which plan you're on depends on where and when you started your course — this isn't something you choose; it's determined by the rules in place when you took out the loan. Repayments are usually deducted automatically through PAYE if you're employed, similar to Income Tax and National Insurance, and stop automatically if your income falls below the threshold.
Tips
- If you're not sure which plan you're on, check your account on the Student Loans Company website — this is the definitive source and matters a lot, since thresholds differ meaningfully between plans.
- You can have both an undergraduate plan (1, 2, 4 or 5) and a Postgraduate Loan simultaneously if applicable, with repayments calculated and deducted for both.
- Unlike most other debts, UK student loans are written off after a set number of years (varying by plan) regardless of whether they're fully repaid, and repayments stop automatically if you're not earning above the threshold — many borrowers never repay the loan in full.
Frequently asked questions
How is student loan repayment different from a normal loan?
You repay a fixed percentage of your income above a specific threshold, not a fixed monthly instalment based on the balance — if your income drops or stops, repayments automatically pause, and any remaining balance is written off after a set period regardless of how much has been repaid.
Which plan am I on?
This depends on where and when you started your course, not something you choose — check your account on the Student Loans Company website for a definitive answer if you're unsure.
Can I have more than one type of student loan at once?
Yes — many postgraduates have both an undergraduate plan and a Postgraduate Loan simultaneously, with separate threshold and repayment calculations for each, both usually deducted through PAYE.
A quick note
Uses standard plan repayment rates and thresholds, which are reviewed and can change. Always confirm your specific plan and current threshold on gov.uk or via the Student Loans Company.