Will a teacher ever pay off their student loan?
3-year degree · Estimated total loan: £60,222
Repayment at starting vs mid-career salary
On a starting teacher salary of £30,000/year, monthly repayments are £38. The loan would not be fully repaid before the 40-year write-off. Total repaid over 40 years: ~£18,240 of a £60,222 loan.
At a mid-career salary of £43,000/year, repayments rise to £135/month and the loan could be fully repaid in ~38 years.
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
Mid-career take-home
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.
Bursary note
Some teaching subjects qualify for bursaries of up to £27,000. Check DfE Get Into Teaching for current rates.
Salary data
What does a teacher actually earn in each city?
Full salary breakdown by region, experience, and sector →