How do I repay my student loans?

You'll start repaying your student loan after you have graduated, usually the first April after you leave your course.

You need to pay back:

• Your tuition fee loan(s)
• Any maintenance loan(s) you received for your living costs

You don't need to pay back:

• Scholarships and bursaries
• Additional support, such as the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
  
  

You'll only begin to make repayments once you earn over the threshold amount of your repayment plan. How much you repay per month depends on your repayment plan and the amount you're earning.

For example, if you join us on an undergraduate course in September 2025 and apply to Student Finance England for your student loans, you'll be on Plan 5. The yearly income threshold for Plan 5 is £25,000, so you would need to earn this much before making any repayments.

Repayments come out of your salary at the same time as tax and National Insurance and will be displayed on your monthly payslip. If you're self-employed, you'll make your repayments at the same time as you pay your tax.

See the Government's website for full details about repaying your student loan.

For more information on Student Finance and repaying your student loan, please contact our Student Financial Guidance Team on studentfinancialguidance@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 2284.