Plan 5 — loans taken from 2023 onwards

Will a physiotherapist ever pay off their student loan?

3-year degree · Estimated total loan: £60,222

Repayment at starting vs mid-career salary

Starting salary

£29,000/yr

Above threshold£4,000
Monthly repayment£30
Estimated loan£60,222
Years to repayWritten off after 40 years
Total repaid£14,400

Mid-career salary

£38,000/yr

Above threshold£13,000
Monthly repayment£98
Estimated loan£60,222
Years to repayWritten off after 40 years
Total repaid£47,040

On a starting physiotherapist salary of £29,000/year, monthly repayments are £30. The loan would not be fully repaid before the 40-year write-off. Total repaid over 40 years: ~£14,400 of a £60,222 loan.

At a mid-career salary of £38,000/year, repayments rise to £98/month. Even at this level the loan is not fully repaid within 40 years and is written off.

Monthly take-home impact

Student loan repayments come out via PAYE before your salary hits your account. You budget to your take-home, not your gross salary.

Starting salary take-home

Annual salary£29,000/year
Gross monthly£2,417
Income tax + NI (est.)−£383
Student loan repayment−£30
Estimated take-home£2,004/mo

Mid-career take-home

Annual salary£38,000/year
Gross monthly£3,167
Income tax + NI (est.)−£593
Student loan repayment−£98
Estimated take-home£2,476/mo

Estimates based on 2025/26 tax rates and personal allowance of £12,570. Does not account for pension contributions, student loan interest, or salary sacrifice schemes.

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Bursary note

NHS Learning Support Fund may apply. Check current eligibility.

Salary data

What does a physiotherapist actually earn in each city?

Full salary breakdown by region, experience, and sector →

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