University fees rising to £9,535 in England next year

The government has announced that university tuition fees will rise in line with inflation.

Taking effect at the start of the 2025 to 2026 academic year, maximum fees will rise by 3.1% to £9,535.

The higher fees will help universities with their financial challenges, the government says.

The government has also unveiled a package of measures to support students and stabilise the university sector.  

Students from low income families will be supported with an inflation-linked increase to maintenance loans, alongside new steps to boost access for disadvantaged learners.    

The increase in cash-in-hand support of 3.1% will provide as much as £414 extra per year, to help students from the lowest income families.   

After leaving study, student loan borrowers will not see their monthly student loan repayments increase as a result of these changes.   

If a borrower’s income is below the repayment threshold, they aren’t required to make any repayments. And after 40 years any outstanding loan debt, including interest accrued, will be written off.  

The government is calling on universities to significantly step up work to boost access for disadvantaged students and break down barriers to opportunity.  

Providers will be expected to play a stronger role in expanding access and improving outcomes for disadvantaged students, and the department for Education will announce a package of reforms in the coming months. 

The increase in fees will mean providers can start to address financial problems, with 40% forecasted to be in budget deficits.

The Education Secretary has also announced that maximum tuition fees for classroom-based foundation years courses will be reduced to £5,760 from the start of the 2025 to 2026 academic year. This will ensure that courses are delivered more efficiently and at lower costs to students.