2026/27 thresholds
| Plan | Who it's for | Threshold | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan 1 | England/Wales pre-2012, Northern Ireland | £26,900 | 9% |
| Plan 2 | England/Wales 2012–2023 | £29,385 | 9% |
| Plan 4 | Scotland | £33,795 | 9% |
| Plan 5 | England from August 2023 | £25,000 | 9% |
| Postgraduate | Master's and doctoral loans | £21,000 | 6% |
Example
Tom earns £38,000 and has a Plan 2 loan. He repays 9% of £8,615, which is £775 a year, about £65 a month. If he also has a Postgraduate Loan he'd pay a further 6% of £17,000, or £1,020 a year.
Should you overpay?
For many Plan 2 and Plan 5 borrowers, the loan will be written off before it's repaid, so overpaying just gives money away. It can make sense for high earners who'll clear the loan anyway. Run your own numbers before deciding.
A repayment is not a balance forecast
This guide explains deductions from income. Clearing the loan depends on other information, including future earnings, interest and your account balance, so a payroll estimate cannot answer that question alone.
Try it with your own numbers
See how much you'll repay on your student loan in 2026/27 for Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 4, Plan 5 and Postgraduate Loans, and the effect on take-home pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do student loan repayments affect my credit score?
No. They don't appear on your credit file, though lenders do take the monthly deduction into account.
Check it on GOV.UK: Repaying your student loan (opens GOV.UK in a new tab)
Sources
Tax year 2026/27. Check these official sources for current rules and deadlines.
Related calculators
- Student Loan Calculator — See how much you'll repay on your student loan in 2026/27 for Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 4, Plan 5 and Postgraduate Loans, and the effect on take-home pay.
Related guides
- How to Read a UK Payslip — Understand every line on a UK payslip: gross pay, tax code, NI letter, pension, student loan, year-to-date figures and net pay.
- Salary Sacrifice Explained — How salary sacrifice works for pensions, electric cars and cycle schemes, how much tax and NI you save, and the downsides to check.