Plan 1 Student Loan Repayment Calculator
The Plan 1 student loan calculator helps you work out how much you repay each month based on your gross annual salary. Plan 1 loans have the lowest repayment threshold of all current plans, meaning repayments start at a lower income level.
Monthly Repayment Calculator
No repayments are due if your income is at or below £24,990
Will you repay your loan before write-off?
Plan 1 rate is currently RPI or BoE base +1% — whichever is lower.
| Year | Estimated Balance | Cumulative Repaid | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 5 | £14,995.22 | £2,254.50 | Repaying |
| Year 10 | £14,989.68 | £4,509.00 | Repaying |
| Year 15 | £14,983.26 | £6,763.50 | Repaying |
| Year 20 | £14,975.82 | £9,018.00 | Repaying |
| Year 25 | £14,967.19 | £11,272.50 | Written off (Year 25) |
At this salary and balance, your loan is projected to be written off in Year 25 with an estimated £14,967.19 remaining. Total repaid: £11,272.50.
Note: most Plan 1 graduates repay in full due to lower original loan amounts.
Plan 1 loans are typically smaller than Plan 2 or 5 loans because tuition fees were capped at £3,375 per year before 2012. Many Plan 1 graduates repay their full balance well before the 25-year write-off point.
Who Is on Plan 1?
You have a Plan 1 student loan if:
- You started an undergraduate course in England or Wales before 1 September 2012
- You started a course in Scotland or Northern Ireland before 2006
- You took out a Scottish or Northern Irish student loan from 2006 onwards (some may be on Plan 4 — check your loan statement)
If you are unsure, log in to your Student Loans Company account or check your payslip. Your employer will label deductions as either "Plan 1" or "Plan 2".
How Plan 1 Repayments Are Calculated
You repay 9% of your income above the repayment threshold. The threshold for the 2025/26 tax year is £24,990 per year (£2,082.50 per month).
Example: If you earn £30,000 per year, you repay 9% of (£30,000 minus £24,990) = 9% of £5,010 = £450.93 per year, or about £37.58 per month.
If your income falls below £24,990, your repayments stop automatically. You do not need to contact anyone or apply — HMRC and your employer handle it automatically.
When Does a Plan 1 Loan Get Written Off?
Your Plan 1 loan is written off at whichever comes first:
- When you reach age 65 (if you took out the loan before 2006)
- 25 years after the April you were first due to repay (for loans taken out from 2006 onwards)
Interest on Plan 1 Loans
Interest on Plan 1 loans is set at the lower of either the Retail Price Index (RPI) or the Bank of England base rate plus 1%. This is generally a lower interest rate than Plan 2 loans. The rate is updated each April.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Plan 1 loan affect my credit score?
No. Student loans in the UK do not appear on your credit file and do not affect your credit score. Missing repayments due to low income has no credit impact.
What if I have both a Plan 1 and Plan 2 loan?
If you have loans under multiple plans, you repay them simultaneously. Each plan has its own threshold and calculation. Your employer will deduct repayments for each plan separately, listed individually on your payslip.
Can I overpay my Plan 1 loan?
Yes. You can make voluntary overpayments at any time by contacting the Student Loans Company. However, for many graduates — especially those unlikely to repay their full balance before write-off — overpaying may not be financially advantageous. Consider consulting a financial adviser before making large overpayments.
Does the repayment threshold change each year?
Yes. The Plan 1 threshold is reviewed each April in line with inflation. Check the Student Loans Company website each April for updated figures.