Make your student finance work for you
Understand your funding options, how to apply and what to expect from your student loan
Student finance and loans
If you’re a full-time undergraduate student and an English resident, you may be eligible to apply for student finance from Student Finance England.
Student finance can help cover the cost of your university tuition fees and living expenses. There are two main types of student loan:
- Tuition fee loan: Helps pay your university tuition fees.
- Maintenance loan: Helps with your living costs, such as accommodation, food and travel.
Your eligibility depends on your circumstances, including your residency, previous study and household income.
How much is a tuition fee loan?
A tuition fee loan covers the cost of your course tuition fees. The loan is paid directly to the university, so you do not need to pay your tuition fees upfront.
For full-time UK students studying at the University of Portsmouth:
- 2026/27: £9,790 per year.
- 2027/28: £10,050 per year.
Tuition fees are subject to annual increases. Fees for full-time and part-time undergraduate students from the UK and Channel Islands may increase each year, subject to conditions set by the UK or Channel Islands governments.
The amount you can borrow is not based on your household income. You can also choose to pay some of your tuition fees yourself rather than borrowing the full amount.
Yes. If you’re a part-time UK student, you may be eligible for a tuition fee loan if you’re studying at least 25% of a full-time course (30 credits a year).
UK government student loans are not available to non-UK students who do not meet the residency requirements for home fee status.
However, other funding options may be available.
A maintenance loan helps cover your living costs while you study. For 2026/27, you can receive up to £10,830 a year.
Your maintenance loan is paid directly into your bank account in three instalments throughout the academic year.
The amount you receive depends on:
- Where you study.
- Where you live.
- Your household income.
If you’re applying for student finance for the first time, you’ll need to register and create an account with Student Finance England. You can then log in and complete your application.
If you’re a continuing student, log in and re-apply for the forthcoming academic year. You’ll normally receive an email reminding you to do this, but you do not need to wait for the email before applying.
Once your application has been approved, you’ll receive documentation confirming what you’re eligible for. You’ll also receive a declaration form, which you need to sign and return to the relevant address.
We cannot confirm your registration until your signed online declaration form has been logged on the student finance system. The University will also not receive payment of your tuition fee loan until this declaration has been logged.
If you need help completing your application, please contact the Student Money team.
Maintenance loans and grants are paid termly, at the beginning of each term.
Your payments depend on the University confirming your registration or attendance.
To receive your first instalment, you need to have registered with the University. For subsequent instalments, we need to confirm that you’re still in attendance before each payment.
Registration and attendance confirmation is completed electronically by the University throughout the year.
If you’re having problems with your student loan or grant, our support team can help. With your permission, we can speak to Student Finance England on your behalf.
If you’re waiting for your registration to be confirmed, you need to complete the following steps before we can confirm your status to the Student Loans Company (SLC) and your funding can be released.
- Make sure your student finance application is approved for the University of Portsmouth. If a different university is listed on your paperwork, email a copy of your financial notification letter to [email protected]. The University will email you a change of circumstances form to update your application and confirm your registration manually.
- Complete your online registration through Student View. If you’re a new student, you’ll also need to provide a copy of your ID for checking, following the instructions provided. Once your ID has been checked, your status will be updated to Registered and we’ll confirm your registration to the Student Loans Company.
Payment will be released into your bank account within three working days of your registration being confirmed.
Your eligibility for student finance can change if you repeat a year, take a study break, change course or leave university.
Student Finance England normally offers funding for the length of your course, plus one additional year if required, minus any years of previous study at university.
Previous study is taken into account even if you did not receive funding for it or studied overseas.
For example, if you need to repeat a year and have no previous study, you may be eligible for funding for the extra year. If you need to repeat another year, or have already repeated a year or studied a different course, you may need to self-fund your tuition fees for the repeat year.
You may still be able to apply for a maintenance loan and additional support, such as Parents’ Learning Allowance and Childcare Grant.
Student Finance England can also consider extending your funding if you have compelling personal reasons for repeating a period of study, such as ill health. You’ll need to provide evidence, such as a doctor’s letter.