University Cost Calculator
Calculate the total cost of university including tuition fees, maintenance loan and living costs.
Last updated: April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK — Student finance
Total Student Debt
£59,382.00
Tuition + maintenance loans over 3 years
| Tuition fees (3 x £9,250.00) | £27,750.00 |
| Maintenance loan (3 x £10,544.00) | £31,632.00 |
| Living costs (3 x 9 months) | £24,300.00 |
| Total Debt (loans only) | £59,382.00 |
Plan 5 repayment: 9% of earnings above £25,000. Wiped after 40 years. Interest: RPI + up to 3%.
Most graduates won't repay in full — treat it like a graduate tax, not a traditional loan.
Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
How It Works
The total cost of a UK degree extends well beyond tuition fees. For a three-year course starting in 2025/26, tuition alone is £9,535 per year (£28,605 total). Accommodation ranges from £4,500 to £9,500 per year depending on city and type. Living costs (food, transport, social, course materials) add £5,000–£8,000 per year.
This calculator estimates the total cost across 3 or 4 years by combining tuition fees, accommodation, living costs, travel home, and extras. It separates what is covered by student loans from what needs to come from other sources. Many students face a funding gap between their maintenance loan and actual costs.
Enter your chosen university city, accommodation type and course length. The calculator shows a year-by-year and total cost breakdown, highlighting the gap between available student finance and projected expenses. This helps with planning family contributions, savings targets and part-time work hours.
Example: 3-year degree in Leeds, halls then shared house
- Tuition: £9,535 × 3 = £28,605
- Accommodation: £6,200 (Y1 halls) + £4,800 × 2 (house) = £15,800
- Living costs: £6,000 × 3 = £18,000
- Total estimated cost: ~£62,400
- Maintenance loan (3 years): ~£25,000 — funding gap: ~£8,800
Source: GOV.UK — Student finance
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the University Cost Calculator do?
- Calculate the total cost of university including tuition fees, maintenance loan and living costs. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.
- Is this based on current student finance rates?
- Yes. This calculator uses Student Loans Company rates and thresholds for the 2025/26 academic and financial year. Thresholds and interest rates are updated annually.
- Which student loan plan am I on?
- Plan 1 applies if you started before September 2012 (England/Wales) or are from Northern Ireland. Plan 2 applies from September 2012 in England/Wales. Plan 4 is for Scotland. Plan 5 applies from September 2023.