The Complete UK Student Loan Repayment Guide for 2025 (+ Free Calculators)

A plain-English, action-first pillar built for students, graduates, parents, and advisers.
Start with the core tool, compare plans side-by-side, and make smarter decisions in minutes.

Quick Start (2 Minutes to Clarity)

Open the main Student Loan Calculator UK to see how much you’ll repay and when.
Browse all calculators in one place to pick the exact tool you need.
If you’re new to the system, read How UK student loans work first.
Unsure which plan you’re on? Begin at UK student loan plans explained and jump to your plan guide.

1) How UK Student Loans Actually Work (Simple, No Jargon)

UK student loans aren’t like typical bank loans. You repay a percentage of your income above a threshold, not a fixed monthly amount. If you never earn enough, you may repay little or nothing, and after a set number of years your balance can be written off. Your plan type (Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 4, Plan 5, or Postgraduate) sets the threshold, repayment rate, interest, and write-off timeframe.

Want the full story without fluff? Start with How UK student loans work.
Need the formal breakdown of plans, thresholds, and rules? See UK student loan plans explained.

Pro tip: Before you dive into details, get a quick personalised snapshot with the Student Loan Repayment Calculator and then refine with the plan-specific tools below.

2) Know Your Plan (or Plans): Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 4, Plan 5, and Postgrad

Your plan is based on where and when you studied. Each plan has different thresholds, interest rules, and write-off periods. Many graduates also carry more than one plan (e.g., Plan 2 undergraduate + Postgraduate), which affects how deductions happen.

England/Wales 2012–2023 cohorts? You’re likely on Plan 2 → read the Plan 2 student loans guide and run the Plan 2 Student Loan Calculator.
England/Wales from 2023 (or later eligible intakes)? See Plan 5 student loans – complete guide and test the Plan 5 Student Loan Calculator.
Scotland undergraduates? Check Plan 4 student loans – guide and use the Plan 4 Student Loan Calculator (Scotland).
Pre-2012 loans (mainly England/Wales)? Learn via Plan 1 student loans – complete guide and simulate with the Plan 1 Student Loan Calculator.
Master’s & Doctoral? Read Postgraduate student loans – guide or the broader UK Postgraduate Student Loans explained, then model repayments with the Postgraduate Loan Calculator.

Have more than one plan? Use the Combined Student Loan Calculator (multiple plans) to see how deductions stack across payroll.

3) Essential Calculators (Pick the Right Tool for the Job)

A) Quick Monthly Picture

Monthly Student Loan Repayment Calculator — estimate monthly deductions for any plan.

B) Lifetime & Write-Off

Total Student Loan Cost Calculator — forecast lifetime repayments under typical earnings.
Student Loan Write-Off Calculator — see potential cancellation dates per plan.
Prefer a fast check? Try the Student Loan Write-Off Checker.

C) Income & Scenario Tools

Student Loan Income Comparison Calculator — compare repayments at different salaries.
Self-Employed Student Loan Repayment Calculator — model SA302/annual return scenarios.

D) Interest & Strategy

Student Loan Interest Calculator — see how interest accrues on your balance.
Student Loan Overpayment Calculator — test whether extra payments save you money.
Investment vs Overpayment Calculator — compare overpaying the loan vs investing the same cash.

4) Compare Like a Pro (Choose the Best Path for You)

Different plans behave very differently over time. Compare them head-to-head to make smarter decisions about careers, further study, and overpayments.

Plan vs Plan:
- Plan 1 vs Plan 2 — pre-2012 vs post-2012 England/Wales rules.
- Plan 2 vs Plan 5 – comparison — the big switch for newer cohorts.
- Plan 4 vs Plan 5 — Scotland vs newer England/Wales plan.
- Plan 5 vs Postgraduate — undergrad Plan 5 set against PG loan rules.
Undergrad vs Postgrad study:
- Undergraduate vs Postgraduate loans (comparison) — repayment rules, interest, and write-off timelines.
Salary-based comparisons:
- Student loans on a £25,000 salary (comparison) — see how plans behave at entry-level pay.
- Student loans on £50k salary (comparison) — mid-career outcomes across plans.
All comparison tools in one hub: Compare UK student loan repayments.

5) Interest, Thresholds, and Policy (What Moves Your Repayments)

Your monthly deduction depends on income above the threshold; your interest depends on plan rules (and sometimes inflation). Knowing the moving parts helps you predict what happens when you change jobs, take leave, or go self-employed.

Understand the mechanics in Student loan interest explained and the longer UK Student Loan Interest Rates – current & historical.
For thresholds and real-world examples, read Student loan thresholds and the dedicated repayment thresholds guide.
Have specific questions about rates? See Student Loan Interest FAQs for quick answers.

Action step: Combine the policy context with the Monthly Student Loan Repayment Calculator to see the practical effect on your pay packet.

6) Overpay, Invest, or Do Nothing? (Make the Smart Call)

For many graduates, overpaying doesn’t reduce lifetime cost because the loan may be written off before full repayment. For others—especially consistent high earners—targeted overpayments can save interest. It all comes down to your plan, earnings trajectory, and time to write-off.

Learn the decision framework in Should I overpay my student loan?.
Test specific amounts and timelines with the Student Loan Overpayment Calculator.
Compare overpaying vs investing the cash using the Investment vs Overpayment Calculator, then build foundations with Investment basics for UK graduates.
Curious about a broader perspective? The editorial Investing vs loan repayment guide explores opportunity cost and risk tolerance.

Rule of thumb: Model before you move money. Many overpayments feel good but don’t change your lifetime cost.

7) Real-Life Situations (Salary, Self-Employed, Mortgages, Taxes, Abroad)

A) Different Salaries

Your deductions scale with income. See realistic outcomes with:

Student loans on a £25,000 salary – comparison and the editorial £25k salary guide.
Student loans on £50k salary – comparison and the complementary £50k salary guide.

B) Self-Employed or Side-Hustle

Your repayments run through the self-assessment system.

Start with the Self-Employed Student Loan Repayment Calculator.
Then read the practical repayment while self-employed guide for admin and timing tips.

C) Mortgages & Homebuying

Student loans can affect affordability checks and how lenders view your take-home pay.

Get a reality check in Student loans and mortgages.

D) Taxes & Payslips

Know which deductions to expect and how they interact with student loan repayments.

Read Student loans and taxes to keep surprises off your payslip.

E) Studying or Working Abroad

Rules exist for overseas repayments and income declarations.

Start with student loans abroad to avoid penalties and admin headaches.

F) Career Path & Profession Differences

Some roles progress quicker, which changes lifetime outcomes.

Explore the landscape with student loans by profession (comparison) and the adjacent career progression comparison.

G) Family Life & Leave

Maternity, paternity, and parental leave can change your income pattern, which in turn affects repayments for that period.

Learn your options in parental leave repayments.

8) Plan-Specific Deep Dives (Know the Rules That Apply to You)

When optimising repayments, the details of your plan matter most. Use your plan’s calculator alongside the relevant guide:

Plan 1: context and thresholds in the Plan 1 student loans guide; simulate outcomes with the Plan 1 calculator.
Plan 2: details in the Plan 2 student loans guide; estimate deductions with the Plan 2 calculator; for cohort context, read the editorial Plan 2 vs Plan 5 (guide).
Plan 4 (Scotland): rules in the Plan 4 guide; model numbers with the Plan 4 calculator.
Plan 5: coverage in the Plan 5 guide; run the Plan 5 calculator; and see head-to-head in Plan 2 vs Plan 5 (compare) or Plan 4 vs Plan 5.
Postgraduate: details in Postgraduate student loans – guide and UK Postgraduate Student Loans explained; simulate repayments with the Postgraduate calculator; compare against undergrad Plan 5 in Plan 5 vs Postgraduate.

If you carry multiple plans, don’t guess: open the Combined Student Loan Calculator and get a unified projection.

9) New to Finance? Build Confidence First

You don’t need to become an economist to master student loans. Start with the basics, then model your situation.

A friendly primer is the UK student loan types explained guide.
To develop financial habits that support your goals, read Investment basics for UK graduates and revisit whether to overpay via Should I overpay my student loan?.

10) Video-Free Learning: Guides, FAQs, and Support

Prefer text over videos? The site is built for scanners and deep-divers alike.

Browse the full Student Loan Guides UK library for strategies and explanations.
For quick answers, start with the Frequently Asked Questions, then drill into Repayment FAQs and Interest FAQs.
Want to know who’s behind the tools? Read About Student Loan Calculator UK.
Need to reach out? Use the Contact page for questions and feedback.

Cookies, privacy, terms: For transparency and compliance, read the Cookie Policy, the Privacy Policy, and the site’s Terms of Use.

11) Step-by-Step: Get Your Exact Repayment Picture Today

Step 1 — Identify your plan(s).
Open UK student loan plans explained and confirm your cohort. If you studied more than once, you may have multiple plans.

Step 2 — Run a base projection.
Use the Student Loan Repayment Calculator for a top-line view of annual and monthly deductions.

Step 3 — Switch to the plan-specific tool.
Choose the calculator that matches your plan (e.g., Plan 2 Student Loan Calculator or Plan 5 Student Loan Calculator) to refine thresholds and interest.

Step 4 — Model real salaries.
Use the Student Loan Income Comparison Calculator to test offers, promotions, or career moves. Anchor with the salary pieces for context (e.g., £25k comparison or £50k comparison).

Step 5 — Decide on overpayments (or not).
Read Should I overpay my loan? and then test scenarios in the Overpayment Calculator and Investment vs Overpayment Calculator.

Step 6 — Check write-off dynamics.
Balance vs time matters. Use the Write-Off Calculator or the quick Write-Off Checker to see if your balance likely clears before full repayment.

Step 7 — Bookmark the essentials.
Keep all calculators handy, and revisit the interest rates guide when policy updates land.

12) Practical Scenarios (Worked Examples You Can Copy)

Scenario A: Early-Career Graduate on £25,000

Use the Monthly Repayment Calculator to estimate deductions under your plan.
Compare outcomes across plans with student loans on a £25,000 salary (comparison) and skim the editorial £25k salary guide for context.
If you’re on Plan 2 considering Plan 5 dynamics (e.g., partner or siblings), read Plan 2 vs Plan 5 (guide) to understand cohort differences.

Scenario B: Mid-Career Promotion to £50,000

Model new pay with the Income Comparison Calculator.
Use student loans on £50k salary (comparison) to see plan sensitivities, and scan the £50k salary guide for tips.
Thinking about a mortgage? Factor take-home pay and affordability with student loans and mortgages.

Scenario C: Scotland Graduate With Variable Income

Confirm plan rules in Plan 4 student loans – guide and run the Plan 4 calculator.
If self-employed for part of the year, combine PAYE + SA with the Self-Employed Repayment Calculator.
For cross-border comparisons, see Plan 4 vs Plan 5.

Scenario D: Overpay or Invest?

Learn the frameworks in Should I overpay my student loan?.
Run numbers using the Overpayment Calculator and compare to returns via the Investment vs Overpayment Calculator.
Build your base with Investment basics for UK graduates to decide what’s realistic.

13) Glossary-Style Clarifications (30-Second Reads)

Threshold: Income level after which deductions begin. Track changes via the repayment thresholds guide.
Interest rate: Varies by plan and policy; see UK Student Loan Interest Rates and Interest FAQs.
Write-off: Balance cancelled after a set period; test your date with the Write-Off Calculator.
PAYE vs SA: Payroll vs Self-Assessment; model SA cases with the Self-Employed Repayment Calculator.
Overpayment: Extra voluntary payment; check if it helps using the Overpayment Calculator.

14) Editorial & Learning Extras (Optional but Useful)

Plan switching across generations and policy shifts? Read editorial comparisons like Plan 2 vs Plan 5 (comparison) and cohort context via Plan 2 vs Plan 5 (guide).
Considering further study? Weigh rules with Undergraduate vs Postgraduate loans and undergrad Plan 5 vs Postgraduate.
Professional pathways matter: explore student loans by profession (comparison) and career progression comparison.

15) Human-Style FAQ (Straight Answers, No Fluff)

Q1) How do I know which plan I’m on?
Check cohort rules at UK student loan plans explained, then open your specific plan guide (e.g., Plan 2 or Plan 5). If you studied more than once, you may have multiple plans—use the Combined Calculator.

Q2) What’s the quickest way to see my monthly deduction?
Use the Monthly Repayment Calculator for a fast snapshot, then refine with your plan-specific calculator.

Q3) Will I ever repay it all?
Maybe, maybe not. Many graduates won’t. It depends on income history and plan rules. Forecast with the Total Loan Cost Calculator and check your write-off date.

Q4) Should I overpay?
Run the numbers before you act. Start with Should I overpay my student loan? then test the Overpayment Calculator and the Investment vs Overpayment Calculator.

Q5) What if I’m self-employed?
Model repayments with the Self-Employed Student Loan Repayment Calculator and read repayment while self-employed for timing and admin.

Q6) How do interest rates affect me?
They change your balance growth but not the percentage you repay each month (that’s driven by income over the threshold). Learn more in Student loan interest explained and check the Interest FAQs.

Q7) Is there a difference between Plan 2 and Plan 5?
Yes—thresholds, interest structures, and write-off timelines differ. See Plan 2 vs Plan 5 – comparison and the deep Plan 2 vs Plan 5 (guide).

Q8) I’m moving abroad. What changes?
Reporting duties and repayment methods may change. Read student loans abroad before you go.

Q9) Where can I find everything in one place?
Use Student Loan Calculators UK – all tools, the Guides library, and the Frequently Asked Questions.

Q10) Who runs this site and how is my data handled?
Read About Student Loan Calculator UK, the Privacy Policy, the Cookie Policy, and the Terms of Use.

16) Compare First, Decide Second (Your Decision Sequence)

Identify plan(s) → Plans explained
Run base projection → Repayment Calculator
Switch to plan tool → e.g., Plan 5 calculator
Test incomes & offers → Income Comparison Calculator
Model overpay vs invest → Overpayment Calculator + Investment vs Overpayment
Check write-off → Write-Off Calculator
Deepen knowledge → Loan interest explained + Interest rates guide
Compare plans when uncertain → Compare hub (e.g., Plan 1 vs Plan 2, Plan 4 vs Plan 5, Plan 5 vs Postgraduate)

17) One-Screen Resource Index (Bookmark This)

Main tool: Student Loan Calculator UK – Understand Your Repayments
All tools: Student Loan Calculators UK – All Estimators
Plans overview: UK Student Loan Plans Explained
Deep guides: Student Loan Guides UK
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions · Repayment FAQs · Interest FAQs
Policy & legal: Cookie Policy · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use
Contact: Get in touch
About: Our mission & team

18) Closing: A Simple Way to Win Your Repayments

You don’t have to predict the future. You just need the right tools and a few smart comparisons:

Run your numbers with the Student Loan Repayment Calculator.
Confirm plan rules in UK student loan plans explained and your plan’s own guide.
Compare Plan 2, Plan 4, Plan 5, and Postgraduate routes using the compare hub.
Decide on overpayments with Should I overpay my student loan? and the strategy calculators.
Keep learning with loan interest explained and the interest rates guide.

When you know your plan, your threshold, and your likely earnings path, the decisions get simple. Model once, compare twice, and move forward with confidence.