UK Student Loan Repayment Thresholds 2025

The repayment threshold is the annual income level above which you start repaying your student loan. If you earn below the threshold, you make no repayments — even if you have a large balance. Here are the current figures for all plans.

2025/26 Thresholds (April 2025 to March 2026)

Source: Student Loans Company / HMRC — updated April 2025

How Are Thresholds Set?

Plan 1

Updated in line with RPI inflation each April, though the government can freeze it. The threshold has been frozen at various points in recent years.

Plan 2

Was frozen at £27,295 from 2021 to 2025 by government decision, meaning graduates faced a real-terms reduction in take-home pay as wages rose but the threshold did not. From April 2025 the threshold increased to £28,470.

Plan 4

Set by the Scottish Government, independently of Westminster. Has generally been more generous than Plan 2.

Plan 5

Currently set at £25,000 and will be frozen until 2027 under current government plans before rising with RPI thereafter.

Postgraduate

Set at £21,000 and updated periodically.

What Happens If I Am Paid Weekly or Get a Bonus?

Repayments are calculated on what you actually earn in each pay period — not your annual salary. If you receive a large bonus in one month, your repayment for that month will be calculated on the higher figure. Your annual total may therefore be slightly higher than the calculator suggests if your income is irregular.

If you are self-employed, repayments are calculated annually through your self-assessment tax return at the end of the tax year.

Check Your Threshold Applies

Make sure you know which plan you are on before using the thresholds above. Use our calculators — they automatically apply the correct threshold for your plan.