Finance your studies with the Lifelong Learning Entitlement
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) is introducing a different way for many learners in England to access student finance for eligible higher education courses and modules starting on or after 1 January 2027. Find out about help with tuition fees, support for living expenses and what to consider before you apply.
This page focuses on Student Finance England. Your normal place of residence and personal circumstances are important: studying at UWS London does not, on its own, establish eligibility.
Which student finance arrangements apply to you?
When your course starts determines which student finance system will normally apply. Check the appropriate route before you begin your funding application.
Existing student finance arrangements
If you began your course before 1 January 2027, you will generally remain within the current student finance system for that course, including subsequent years of study.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE)
Many qualifying new courses and modules starting from 1 January 2027 fall under the LLE. It covers most eligible qualifications at Levels 4 to 6 and certain Level 7 courses.
Some qualifications continue to have separate funding routes, including Master’s and Doctoral Loans outside the LLE. Always confirm which arrangements apply to the course you intend to study.
Understanding the main types of support
Under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, eligible new learners may be able to access a total Tuition Fee Loan entitlement of up to £39,160 at 2026/27 rates. Instead of being limited to one continuous period of university study, this funding can be used towards eligible courses and modules at different stages.
How much you can access depends on your previous study, the qualification you choose and your individual circumstances.
Up to £39,160
Total Tuition Fee Loan entitlement for eligible new learners
This is a total standard entitlement rather than a yearly allowance. Previous government-funded study will normally reduce the amount you have left.
Up to £9,790
Per 120 credits
This is the published maximum Tuition Fee Loan for 120 credits at 2026/27 rates. One year of a full-time bachelor’s degree is usually worth 120 credits. The amount available to you also depends on the fees charged, the provider and relevant funding rules.
Up to £15,415
Per eligible course year
Eligible students may be able to borrow towards everyday living costs while studying. This published upper limit applies in qualifying circumstances for course years of up to 30 weeks. Your actual amount depends on factors such as household income, where you live, credits studied and course duration.
Varies
Grants, allowances and bursaries
Depending on their circumstances, some learners can receive extra help, including disability-related funding, support for dependants or assistance associated with particular courses. Universities and colleges may offer further funding, some of which does not need repaying.
Putting the figures into context
The £39,160 figure is a potential overall tuition-fee entitlement, while £9,790 is the published maximum for 120 credits. Maintenance Loans and additional financial help are assessed separately. These amounts should not be combined and treated as a guaranteed funding package.
Student finance involves more than one type of support
Tuition Fee Loans, Maintenance Loans and other financial assistance are designed for different needs. The eligibility criteria are not identical, so being approved for one does not automatically mean you can receive the others.
Purpose and payment
A Tuition Fee Loan contributes towards the cost of an eligible course or module. Approved tuition funding is usually paid straight to the university or other provider.
Who may qualify
Your course and education provider must meet the relevant requirements. The number of credits you take and previous government-funded study can affect the amount available. You will normally need to be under 60 when the course begins to qualify for a Tuition Fee Loan.
Purpose and payment
Maintenance Loans help eligible learners meet living expenses, including rent, travel and food. Once approved, these payments are made to the student.
Who may qualify
You will usually need to attend in person, have at least £1,587.50 of your standard Tuition Fee Loan entitlement remaining and satisfy the personal eligibility rules. Exceptions can apply, for example for certain longer courses or where disability or long-term illness prevents attendance. Your household income, accommodation arrangements, course length and credit load can influence the amount.
Purpose and payment
Other funding may include Disabled Students’ Allowance, assistance for parents or dependants, course-specific support and bursaries. Unlike student loans, these forms of help generally do not require repayment.
Who may qualify
Each scheme has its own conditions. Some grants require at least 120 credits in a course year, while Disabled Students’ Allowance may be available from 30 credits. Your course, circumstances and any requested evidence can also affect eligibility.
What affects your eligibility?
Student Finance England considers a combination of factors when assessing an application. Neither your chosen university nor your nationality or immigration status alone determines the outcome.
Nationality and residency
Your citizenship, immigration status and where you normally live.
Course and provider
The level and type of qualification, its start date, credit value and the provider’s eligibility.
Study history
Previous government-funded tuition can reduce the LLE funding still available to you.
Age and personal circumstances
Specific funding types have different rules concerning age, household income and other factors.
Find out about nationality and residency on GOV.UK
The GOV.UK checker can help you understand whether you might be entitled to full student finance or support for tuition fees only. Its result is guidance and does not guarantee a successful application.
Funding based on credits, not only complete degrees
The LLE connects eligible study to a system of credits. This may allow qualifying learners to complete courses or modules at different times, provided the study and funding meet the relevant conditions.
A credit represents approximately 10 hours of expected learning. When you take fewer than 120 credits over a year, a Maintenance Loan will generally be adjusted according to the number of credits studied.
Credits
Normally the minimum number of credits in a course year for LLE student finance.
Credits
The usual credit value of one full-time academic year of a bachelor’s degree.
Credits
Normally the maximum number of credits that can be funded during a single course year.
Not all short courses, individual modules or postgraduate qualifications are eligible. Always check the specific course and university before planning to use LLE funding.
Already studied at university? Funding may still be available
Having completed higher education before does not necessarily stop you receiving LLE support, even if you want to study at an equivalent or lower qualification level.
Student Finance England will normally subtract the value of any previous government-funded tuition from the standard £39,160 entitlement. That deduction may be adjusted for inflation. As a result, two students taking the same course could have different amounts of funding remaining.
Extra Tuition Fee Loan support can be available under special rules for certain priority subjects and courses that extend beyond four years.
See how much entitlement you have left
From September 2026, learners have been able to set up an LLE student finance account to view an estimate of their remaining Tuition Fee Loan entitlement without having to submit a funding application.
When does LLE funding become available to apply for?
Your course or module start date determines the application route and the timetable that applies to you.
Before 1 January 2027
These courses will usually continue under the existing student finance arrangements, including in later course years.
On or after 1 January 2027
Many qualifying new courses and modules use the LLE service. Applications for courses beginning from January to July 2027 are due to open at the end of October 2026.
Account and entitlement estimates
New LLE accounts became available, allowing learners to estimate the Tuition Fee Loan entitlement they have remaining.
Funding applications for January–July 2027
The application service is scheduled to open for eligible courses and modules beginning during these months.
Applications for August 2027 and later
Applications for courses starting from 1 August 2027 are expected to become available.
Account and entitlement estimates
New LLE accounts become available to help learners estimate remaining Tuition Fee Loan entitlement.
Applications for January–July 2027 starts
The application service opens for courses and modules beginning in this period.
Applications for August 2027 onwards
Applications for courses beginning from 1 August 2027 are expected to open.
You do not need a confirmed university offer to apply. GOV.UK sets separate application deadlines depending on your course or module dates, so check the details rather than assuming all courses share one deadline.
Your route from course choice to funding
Applying to a university or college and arranging student finance are separate processes. These six steps explain how they fit together.
Choose an eligible course
Explore programmes that suit your plans, then check whether the course or module and its provider meet the LLE funding criteria.
Check your circumstances and estimated support
Use the nationality and residency checker and student finance calculator on GOV.UK. Consider any previous higher education study when estimating your remaining entitlement and likely costs.
Apply to study
Complete the university or college’s usual admissions process. A confirmed offer is not needed before you submit an eligible student finance application.
Set up your LLE account and submit an application
Use the LLE student finance service when it opens for your course start date. You will need to create a new LLE account even if you already hold a Student Finance England account.
Provide supporting documents if asked
Student Finance England may request evidence relating to identity, residence, income or other circumstances before making its decision.
Enrol and receive any approved funding
Tuition Fee Loan payments go to the provider. Any Maintenance Loan is paid to your bank account after the provider confirms your registration.
What should you expect once funding is approved?
It helps to understand how payments, future funding applications and loan repayments work before you begin studying.
Submit applications for continued study
You need to apply for LLE student finance for each course or module you want funded. If a course runs for more than one year, make a new application for every year in which you need support.
Repayments depend on your income
For LLE courses beginning in January 2027 or later, the published annual income threshold for repayments is currently £25,000, applying after you finish or leave your course. Thresholds and repayment terms may change.
How long repayments may continue
Under the current published rules, any remaining LLE loan balance is written off 40 years after the April when you first become due to repay. Refer to GOV.UK before making decisions about borrowing.
Student loans must be repaid, whereas grants and bursaries generally do not. A Maintenance Loan might not meet all your living expenses, so base your budget on confirmed personal funding rather than the maximum amounts shown here.
Important
Lifelong Learning Entitlement: frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions below. GOV.UK publishes the latest guidance, and Student Finance England decides individual applications.
No. Eligibility depends on the particular course or module, the provider’s status, the level of study and your own circumstances. Check the programme with UWS London and consult the course eligibility criteria on GOV.UK.
You may be able to. Earlier government-funded study generally reduces your remaining Tuition Fee Loan entitlement, but it does not automatically mean you cannot fund another eligible course. You can view an estimate through your LLE account.
No. The support you may receive depends on your nationality, immigration position and residence history, together with the course and other rules. Use the GOV.UK nationality and residency checker for guidance.
Certain Level 7 qualifications may be eligible, but other Master’s and Doctoral courses continue under separate finance arrangements. Check the funding route for the exact qualification you are considering.
No. At the published rates, £39,160 is the standard total tuition fee entitlement for an eligible new learner. Funding is used across qualifying study, tuition payments go to the provider, and previous funded study can reduce the amount available.
Not automatically. Your potential award depends on where you live during your course, household income, the number of credits and how long you study. Try the GOV.UK student finance calculator for an estimate.
Generally not. Maintenance funding normally requires face-to-face attendance, although limited exceptions can apply, including if a disability or long-term illness prevents you attending.
Depending on your circumstances, you might qualify for grants, bursaries, allowances or other funding. Each option has its own requirements relating to the learner, course and credits.
The application window for January to July 2027 course starts is expected to open at the end of October 2026. For courses starting from August 2027, applications are expected to open in spring 2027. Confirm the latest dates and deadlines on GOV.UK.
No. You can apply for eligible LLE student finance before receiving a confirmed offer from a university or college.
Yes. For a course continuing beyond one year, reapply for every course year in which you need LLE funding. Separate courses or modules also require separate funding applications.
Explore the latest student finance guidance on GOV.UK
Funding limits, qualifying conditions and key dates can be updated. Use these GOV.UK resources to check the guidance relevant to your circumstances.
GOV.UK — Lifelong Learning Entitlement overview
An introduction to funding for eligible study beginning from January 2027.
GOV.UK — Course and learner eligibility
Understand the conditions covering courses, age, study history and education providers.
GOV.UK — Nationality and residency checker
Check whether you could be eligible for full support or tuition-fee-only funding.
GOV.UK — Student finance calculator
Get an estimate using details about your course and personal circumstances.
GOV.UK — How to apply for the LLE
Find information about accounts, applications and the student finance process.
Explore your study options at UWS London
Browse the undergraduate and postgraduate courses available at UWS London, then confirm the funding arrangements for the programme you are interested in. Our team can guide you towards course and admissions information, while GOV.UK and Student Finance England set out the funding rules and assess individual applications.
Important information about student finance
This page provides general guidance on Student Finance England and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. UWS London is not Student Finance England or the Student Loans Company, and cannot guarantee funding, personal eligibility, payment amounts or repayment conditions. The figures shown are published 2026/27 maximums, not individual funding offers. Eligibility depends on factors including your course, provider, study credits, previous education, nationality, residence and other circumstances. Check the current GOV.UK guidance before submitting an application or making financial commitments.
Prepared 20 October 2026. Review information regularly, particularly when fees, maintenance rates, application dates or repayment rules change.