Plan 1: started pre-2012 in England/Wales or at any time in Northern Ireland. Plan 2: started 2012+ in England/Wales. Plan 4: Scotland. Plan 5: started August 2023+ in England. Postgraduate: master's or PhD loan. Check via your Student Loans Company account.

Can I have more than one plan?

Yes - it is common to have an undergraduate plan plus a Postgraduate Loan. Both are deducted simultaneously if you earn above each threshold.

Do repayments affect Income Tax?

No - student loan repayments are separate from Income Tax. They are collected via PAYE but go straight to SLC, not HMRC, and do not reduce your taxable income.

What happens if I don't earn enough?

You pay nothing. Repayments only start once you earn above the threshold for your plan, and only 9% (or 6% for Postgrad) of earnings above that threshold.

What's the threshold for my plan?

2026/27: Plan 1 £26,900, Plan 2 £29,385, Plan 4 £33,795, Plan 5 £25,000, Postgraduate £21,000. Thresholds are reviewed annually.

UK Student Loan Calculator 2026/27

UK student loan repayment calculator for 2026/27. Plans 1, 2, 4, 5 and Postgraduate. Thresholds, 9% / 6% rates, and plan-stacking rules explained.

Take-home pay

£505

17.9% effective tax rate

Monthly: £42
Weekly: £10
Daily: £2
Hourly: £0.26

Gross salary	£35,000
Income Tax	−£4,486
National Insurance	−£1,794
Student loan	−£505
Take-home	£28,214

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How student loan repayments work

UK student loan repayments are deducted automatically through PAYE by your employer. You only pay when your salary exceeds the threshold for your plan, and you pay a percentage of earnings above that threshold.

2026/27 thresholds and rates

Plan	Who	Threshold	Rate
Plan 1	Pre-2012 England/Wales + Northern Ireland	£26,900	9%
Plan 2	Post-2012 England/Wales	£29,385	9%
Plan 4	Scotland	£33,795	9%
Plan 5	Post-August-2023 England	£25,000	9%
Postgraduate	Master’s / PhD loans	£21,000	6%

Worked example

On a £40,000 salary with Plan 2:

(£40,000 − £29,385) × 9% = £955.35 per year
= £79.61 a month through PAYE

Multiple plans stack. If you have Plan 2 + Postgraduate both above their thresholds, you pay 9% of the difference for Plan 2 plus 6% for Postgrad — that’s 15% at the margin.

What we don’t model

Voluntary overpayments and loan balance tracking.
Interest accruing on outstanding balance (varies by plan and income).
Loan write-off points (currently 25–40 years depending on plan).

Student Loan Plans Explained — which plan you’re on, the threshold, and the write-off horizon.
PAYE Explained — how the 9% / 6% repayment is collected alongside tax and NI each payday.
Self Assessment 2026/27 — when self-employed income triggers student-loan top-up payments via SA.

Frequently asked questions

Which plan am I on?: Plan 1: started pre-2012 in England/Wales or at any time in Northern Ireland. Plan 2: started 2012+ in England/Wales. Plan 4: Scotland. Plan 5: started August 2023+ in England. Postgraduate: master's or PhD loan. Check via your Student Loans Company account.
Can I have more than one plan?: Yes - it is common to have an undergraduate plan plus a Postgraduate Loan. Both are deducted simultaneously if you earn above each threshold.
Do repayments affect Income Tax?: No - student loan repayments are separate from Income Tax. They are collected via PAYE but go straight to SLC, not HMRC, and do not reduce your taxable income.
What happens if I don't earn enough?: You pay nothing. Repayments only start once you earn above the threshold for your plan, and only 9% (or 6% for Postgrad) of earnings above that threshold.
What's the threshold for my plan?: 2026/27: Plan 1 £26,900, Plan 2 £29,385, Plan 4 £33,795, Plan 5 £25,000, Postgraduate £21,000. Thresholds are reviewed annually.

Other UK tax calculators that pair with the Student Loan.