Plan 5 · 2025/26 · Household income £45,001–£58,291
Maintenance loan for household income £45,001–£58,291
How much your student gets in 2025/26. Location matters: London rate is higher to account for higher costs.
Outside London
£559
per month
London
£829
per month
Living at home
£397
per month
Annual and 3-year totals
Non-London annual
£6,708
London annual
£9,948
Non-London 3-year total
£20,124
London 3-year total
£29,844
Note: This is not the maximum loan. Students whose household income is under £25,000 receive the full rate (£903/mo outside London, £1178/mo in London). For the full picture, see the under-£25k bracket →
What's left after rent, transport and groceries?
12 student cities ranked by monthly balance using your loan amount of £559/mo (or £829/mo in London).
City
Rent
Transport
Food
Balance
Liverpool
£650
£55
£195
£-341
Newcastle
£650
£55
£195
£-341
Nottingham
£650
£55
£195
£-341
Cardiff
£700
£55
£195
£-391
GlasgowFree buses
£750
£0
£200
£-391
Leeds
£700
£55
£200
£-396
Sheffield
£700
£55
£200
£-396
Birmingham
£700
£60
£200
£-401
Manchester
£750
£60
£200
£-451
EdinburghFree buses
£900
£0
£210
£-551
Bristol
£850
£65
£210
£-566
London
£1200
£100
£250
£-721
Other income brackets
About repayment (Plan 5): You repay 9% of earnings above £25,000/year after graduating. If you earn £30,000, you repay £450/year (£37.50/month). Debt is written off after 40 years. The maintenance loan is separate from tuition fees — both are repaid through the same Plan 5 system but tracked separately. Use the calculator to see your estimated repayments →
Which city makes your loan go furthest?
See personalised budgets for all 12 student cities and 121 universities.