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Tuition fees for home undergraduate students
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- Fees and funding
Tuition fees for home students on undergraduate courses
The following tuition fees apply for new home students (students who are not classified as international students) who enrol on an undergraduate course at University College Birmingham in the new academic year. These are annual fees, payable on each year of the programme (with the exception of a few specific courses).
FT – Full-time, PT – Part-time, HNC – Higher National Certificate, HND - Higher National Diploma
Fees per year
Please note the 2026/27 and 2027/28 fees stated are subject to parliamentary procedure. Tuition fees are expected to increase each academic year in line with the maximum permitted value set by the Government for that academic year. The expected rise for Home undergraduate students (including those on a foundation year course), may impact both new and continuing students.
Programme | Fee for 2026/27 | Fee for 2027/28 |
Undergraduate [BA, BSc, BEng, HNC, HND, Foundation year] | £9,790 FT | £10,050 FT |
Undergraduate [BA, BSc, HNC, HND] | £4,895 PT | £5,025 PT |
Undergraduate [Accelerated] | £11,750 FT | £12,060 FT |
Undergraduate [Online] | £6,950 PT | TBC |
Electromechanical/ Automated Manufacturing/ Mechanical Engineering BEng* | £9,790 FT | £10,050 FT |
Psychology BSc (Hons) | £7,335 PT | £7,530 PT |
Adult Nursing BSc (Hons) Top-up** | £14,302 FT | £15,075 FT |
Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons) Top-up** | £14,302 FT | £15,075 FT |
* Electromechanical Engineering BEng/ Automated Manufacturing Engineering BEng/ Mechanical Engineering BEng is a 4.5-year programme when studied part-time. The tuition fee for a full year of part-time study (years 1-4) is £6,525, and for half a year (year 5), the fee is £3,260.
** Adult Nursing BSc (Hons) Top-up and Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons) Top-up are 18-month programmes (three semesters) with different fees depending on the year of entry and intake. Detailed explanations of fees can be found on the course pages.
Paying your tuition fees
Eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, which is paid directly to the University. This means you will not usually need to pay your tuition fees upfront.
The first 25% instalment of your tuition fees is due by 31 October. If the University has not received confirmation of your Tuition Fee Loan by this date, you may be required to make the payment yourself. Access to teaching and learning facilities may be restricted until payment or confirmation of funding has been received.
If your loan is confirmed after you have made a payment, you will need to submit a refund request. You can also pay your fees directly or arrange for an approved sponsor, such as an employer or government organisation, to pay them. Find out more about paying your own fees.
Early Payment Discount for undergraduate students
Home undergraduate students paying annual tuition fees of £9,790 or more may be eligible for a £500 discount if their fees are paid in full by the published deadline. Find out more.
Fee waivers – it pays to stay
Undergraduate students progressing to postgraduate studies
For courses starting in 2026/27, University College Birmingham students who achieve a first class Honours degree will receive a 25% discount on their postgraduate fees. All other progressing students will receive a 20% discount.
This applies to all University College Birmingham alumni. No application is necessary. We will apply the discount at enrolment.
Financial support for students from England
If your home is in England and you are studying a full-time undergraduate course, there are two main types of student finance you may be able to apply for: a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan.
Your eligibility will depend on factors including your residency status, course and any previous higher education study. Previous study may affect the amount of support available, even if you did not complete the course or achieve a qualification.
Type of support | Dependent on household income? | Paid to | Payment schedule | Repayable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tuition Fee Loan | No | The University | Paid directly to the University during the academic year | Yes |
Maintenance Loan | Yes. The amount you receive will usually depend on your household income and living arrangements. | The student | Paid into your bank account at the start of each term | Yes |
Tuition Fee Loan
The Tuition Fee Loan is available to eligible students regardless of household income. For 2026/27, full-time undergraduate students can apply for a loan of up to £9,790 to cover the tuition fee charged by the University.
The loan is paid directly to the University and does not need to be paid upfront. Previous higher education study may affect your eligibility or the number of years of Tuition Fee Loan available.
The Tuition Fee Loan is repayable, including interest, after you have finished or left your course and meet the relevant repayment conditions.
Maintenance Loan
The Maintenance Loan helps with living costs while you study. The amount you can receive depends on your household income and where you live during your course.
Students from lower-income households may be entitled to a higher amount. You may also receive more if you live away from your parents rather than at home.
The Maintenance Loan is paid directly into your bank account, usually at the start of each term. It is repayable, including interest, after you have finished or left your course and meet the relevant repayment conditions.
Levels of support for 2026/27
The figures in the tables below show the different levels of maintenance support for 2026/27.
Full-time students living with parents | ||
|---|---|---|
Household Income | Maintenance Loan | Tuition Fee Loan |
£25,000 | £9,118 | £9,790 |
£30,000 | £8,354 | £9,790 |
£35,000 | £7,589 | £9,790 |
£40,000 | £6,825 | £9,790 |
£42,875 | £6,385 | £9,790 |
£45,000 | £6,060 | £9,790 |
£50,000 | £5,296 | £9,790 |
£55,000 | £4,531 | £9,790 |
Over £58,307 | £4,013 | £9,790 |
Non-Income assessed | £4,013 | £9,790 |
Full-time students living away from home | ||
|---|---|---|
Household Income | Maintenance Loan | Tuition Fee Loan |
£25,000 | £10,830 | £9,790 |
£30,000 | £10,058 | £9,790 |
£35,000 | £9,285 | £9,790 |
£40,000 | £8,512 | £9,790 |
£42,875 | £8,068 | £9,790 |
£45,000 | £7,739 | £9,790 |
£50,000 | £6,967 | £9,790 |
£55,000 | £6,194 | £9,790 |
£60,000 | £5,421 | £9,790 |
Over £62,347 | £5,048 | £9,790 |
Non-Income assessed | £5,048 | £9,790 |
Other types of support
Additional financial support may be available if you:
have children or childcare costs
have an adult who depends on you financially
have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for support such as a Childcare Grant, Parents’ Learning Allowance, Adult Dependants’ Grant or Disabled Students’ Allowance.
To find out what support is available, whether you are eligible and how to apply, visit the GOV.UK student finance guidance or call Student Finance England on 0300 100 0607.
Support from University College Birmingham
In addition to the money from Student Finance, University College Birmingham provides a range of support designed to encourage individuals to access programmes of study. Find out more.
Financial support for students from Wales
If your home is in Wales and you are studying a full-time undergraduate course, there are three main types of student finance you may be able to apply for: a Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Grant and Maintenance Loan.
Your eligibility will depend on factors including your residency status, course and any previous higher education study. Previous study may affect the amount of support available, even if you did not complete the course or achieve a qualification.
Students who already hold an honours degree or higher qualification may not normally be eligible for further undergraduate student finance. Different rules may apply to certain courses, including some healthcare, medicine and dentistry courses.
Type of support | Dependent on household income? | Paid to | Payment schedule | Repayable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tuition Fee Loan | No | The University | Paid directly to the University during the academic year | Yes |
Maintenance Grant | Yes. The amount you receive depends on your household income and where you live and study. | The student | Paid into your bank account in three instalments, usually at the start of each term | No |
Maintenance Loan | Yes. Students from lower-income households generally receive more of their living-cost support as a grant and less as a loan. | The student | Paid into your bank account in three instalments, usually at the start of each term | Yes |
Tuition Fee Loan
The Tuition Fee Loan is available to eligible students regardless of household income. For 2026/27, you can apply for a loan of up to £9,790 to cover the tuition fee charged by the University.
The loan is paid directly to the University and does not need to be paid upfront. It is repayable, including interest, after you have finished or left your course and meet the relevant repayment conditions.
Maintenance Grant and Maintenance Loan
Eligible students can apply for a combination of a Maintenance Grant, which does not need to be repaid, and a Maintenance Loan, which is repayable.
For 2026/27, students living with their parents can receive total maintenance support of up to £10,685 per year. Students living away from their parents and studying outside London can receive up to £12,590 per year.
Your household income will affect how much of your maintenance support is provided as a grant and how much is provided as a loan. Students from lower-income households will generally receive more as a grant and less as a loan.
Students with a household income of £59,200 or more, or whose application is not assessed using household income, will generally receive the minimum Maintenance Grant. For students living with their parents or living away from home and studying outside London, this is £1,020 for 2026/27. The remaining maintenance support is provided as a Maintenance Loan.
Levels of support for 2026/27
The following tables provide an indication of the maintenance support you may be entitled to in 2026/27.
The figures are illustrative. Your actual entitlement will depend on your circumstances and will be confirmed by Student Finance Wales.
Full-time students living with parents | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Household income | Maintenance Grant | Maintenance Loan | Total living-cost support |
£18,370 or less | £7,020 | £3,665 | £10,685 |
£20,000 | £6,781 | £3,904 | £10,685 |
£25,000 | £6,046 | £4,639 | £10,685 |
£30,000 | £5,311 | £5,374 | £10,685 |
£35,000 | £4,577 | £6,108 | £10,685 |
£40,000 | £3,842 | £6,843 | £10,685 |
£45,000 | £3,107 | £7,578 | £10,685 |
£50,000 | £2,372 | £8,313 | £10,685 |
£55,000 | £1,638 | £9,047 | £10,685 |
£59,200 or more | £1,020 | £9,665 | £10,685 |
Full-time students living away from their parents and studying outside London | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Household income | Maintenance Grant | Maintenance Loan | Total living-cost support |
£18,370 or less | £8,260 | £4,330 | £12,590 |
£20,000 | £7,971 | £4,619 | £12,590 |
£25,000 | £7,085 | £5,505 | £12,590 |
£30,000 | £6,198 | £6,392 | £12,590 |
£35,000 | £5,311 | £7,279 | £12,590 |
£40,000 | £4,425 | £8,165 | £12,590 |
£45,000 | £3,538 | £9,052 | £12,590 |
£50,000 | £2,651 | £9,939 | £12,590 |
£55,000 | £1,765 | £10,825 | £12,590 |
£59,200 or more | £1,020 | £11,570 | £12,590 |
Other types of support
Additional financial support may be available if you:
have children or childcare costs
have an adult who depends on you financially
have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for support such as a Childcare Grant, Parents’ Learning Allowance, Adult Dependants’ Grant or Disabled Students’ Allowance.
To find out what support is available, whether you are eligible and how to apply, visit the Student Finance Wales website or call 0300 200 4050.
Support from University College Birmingham
In addition to the money from Student Finance, University College Birmingham provides a range of support designed to encourage individuals to access programmes of study. Find out more.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How can I apply for Financial Support?
Students from England
You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan through the same Student Finance England application.
Students whose home is in England can apply online through GOV.UK. You can apply before your university place is confirmed and update your course or university details later if they change.
When applying, remember to:
provide household income information and any evidence requested if you want to be assessed for more than the minimum Maintenance Loan
request the amount of Tuition Fee Loan you need to cover your tuition fees.
The recommended application deadline for new students starting in autumn 2026 has passed. If you have not yet applied, submit your application and any requested evidence as soon as possible. You can track its progress through your online student finance account.
Students from Wales
You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Grant and Maintenance Loan through the same Student Finance Wales application.
Students whose home is in Wales can apply online through the Student Finance Wales website. You can apply before your university place is confirmed and update your details later if they change.
When applying, remember to:
provide household income information and any evidence requested so Student Finance Wales can assess the balance of Maintenance Grant and Maintenance Loan available to you
request the amount of Tuition Fee Loan you need to cover your tuition fees.
The recommended application deadline for new students starting in autumn 2026 has passed. If you have not yet applied, submit your application and any requested evidence as soon as possible. You can track its progress through your online Student Finance Wales account.
When can I apply for Financial Support?
Applications for 2026/27 are open. Apply as soon as possible so your funding can be assessed before your course starts.
You do not need to have a confirmed university place before applying. Use the course and university you are most likely to choose, then update your online account if your plans change.
Applications can take several weeks to process, particularly if further information or evidence is required. Check your online account regularly and respond promptly to any requests.
For help with UCB course titles, codes or tuition fee details, contact the Student Finance team at ucbstudentfinance@ucb.ac.uk.
When will I have to start repaying my maintenance and tuition fee loan?
Your Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan are combined into one student loan balance. You will normally become eligible to start repaying from the April after you finish or leave your course, but repayments are only taken when your income is above the threshold for your repayment plan.
Student Finance England: Plan 5, with a repayment threshold of £25,000 a year for 2026/27
Student Finance Wales: Plan 2, with a repayment threshold of £29,385 a year for 2026/27.
Eligible students funded by Student Finance Wales may also receive a partial cancellation of up to £1,500 from their first full-time undergraduate Maintenance Loan after they make their first repayment.
What happens if my income falls below the repayment threshold or I become unemployed?
Repayments normally stop automatically when your income falls below the relevant pay-period threshold and start again when your income rises above it.
If deductions were taken during the year but your total annual income was below the applicable annual threshold, you may be able to request a refund through your student loan repayment account.
What happens if I do not repay the full loan?
Any remaining balance is normally written off at the end of your repayment term, provided you have met the terms of your loan agreement.
Plan 5 loans from Student Finance England are normally written off 40 years after the April you were first due to repay.
Plan 2 loans from Student Finance Wales are normally written off 30 years after the April you were first due to repay.
Your student loan is personal to you and will not be transferred to another person.
How do I repay my student loan?
If you are employed in the UK, repayments are normally deducted automatically from your pay through the tax system. If you complete a Self Assessment tax return, repayments may be collected through that process.
If you leave the UK for more than three months, you must update the Student Loans Company and may need to make repayments directly.
How much do I repay?
You normally repay 9% of the income you earn above the threshold for your repayment plan. The amount you borrowed does not determine your monthly repayment.
Plan 5 students funded by Student Finance England repay 9% of income above £25,000 a year.
Plan 2 students funded by Student Finance Wales repay 9% of income above £29,385 a year.
Repayment thresholds can change, so check the current student loan repayment guidance on GOV.UK.
Do I pay interest on my student loan?
Interest is added to your student loan balance from the date the first payment is made to you or the University. The way interest is calculated depends on your repayment plan.
Plan 5 interest is normally linked to the Retail Price Index.
Plan 2 interest is normally based on the Retail Price Index, with an additional amount of up to 3% depending on your circumstances and income.
Interest rates can change. Check the current student loan interest guidance on GOV.UK for the rate that applies to your repayment plan.
Should I still apply for Student Finance if I am not sure about my course/university choice?
Yes. It is important to get your application in as early as possible in order to ensure that your finance is in place for September. If any details change, you will be able to amend these online to reflect a change of institution and/or course. If you decide not to go to university, you can simply cancel your student finance application.
Do the tuition fees stay the same each year?
Your tuition fee may be increased by a permitted inflationary amount each year. Details of the fee amount will be available on our website once confirmed.
Whose income do I use to work out household income?
The income included in your household assessment depends on your age and personal circumstances.
If you are under 25 and financially dependent on your parents, Student Finance England will normally use your parents’ income. If a parent lives with a partner, their partner’s income may also be included.
If you are aged 25 or over, your parents’ income will not be included. If you live with a spouse or partner, their income will normally be included.
If you are classed as an independent student, your parents’ income will not normally be included.
You may be treated as an independent student if, for example, you have supported yourself financially for at least three years, are married or in a civil partnership, are a care leaver or are permanently estranged from your parents.
Your own taxable unearned income, such as income from savings, investments or property, may also be included in the assessment. Earnings from part-time or full-time work during the academic year are not normally included.
For applications for the 2026/27 academic year, Student Finance England will normally ask for household income from the 2024/25 tax year. If household income has since fallen significantly, the person providing the income details may be able to request a current-year income assessment.
Check the GOV.UK household income guidance for full details.
I have previously studied at higher education level – will this affect my funding?
Previous higher education study may affect the amount of student finance available to you, including the number of years for which you can receive a Tuition Fee Loan.
The assessment will depend on factors including the course previously studied, whether you completed it, the qualification achieved and the course you now plan to study. Exceptions and additional support may apply to certain courses or where compelling personal reasons affected your previous study.
Contact the relevant student finance provider before enrolling to confirm how previous study will affect your entitlement.
What happens if I don’t have my tuition fee loan in place for the start of the course – can I still enrol?
Yes, you can still enrol; however, you will need to be prepared to pay the first instalment (25% of your tuition fees) by 31 October 2026 if your tuition fee loan is still not in place.
The Student Loans Company will provide confirmation of your loan to our Student Finance team who will credit any invoices raised for tuition fees. You will then be required to complete a refund request form.
Please be aware that access to teaching and learning facilities will be restricted until confirmation of payment is received.
I don’t want to take out a tuition fee loan, when do I need to pay?
You can either pay in full at enrolment (if you pay prior to Friday 2 October 2026 you will get a £500 early payment discount), or payment can be made in 4 equal instalments; the first instalment must be paid by 31 October 2026, then 3 further instalments by 31 January 2027, 31 March 2027 and 31 May 2027.
Payment can be made online, by calling us directly or by bank transfer. Find out more.
What will my tuition fees be if I decide to withdraw during the academic year?
Please consider carefully whether to enrol on your course. We offer a 2-week cooling-off period to new students, but if you withdraw outside of this period, you will be charged fees irrespective of how early in the academic year you withdraw. If you are enrolled on a full taught year from September 2026 – June 2027, fees will be calculated as follows:
|
If you withdraw at any time in: |
Percentage of tuition fee charged |
|
Term 1 |
25% |
|
Term 2 |
50% |
|
Term 3 |
100% |
Is there funding available for students who cannot take out interest-bearing loans?
The Government is developing Alternative Student Finance for students who cannot use interest-bearing student loans because of their faith or conscience.
The proposed system will use a Takaful-based model that is compatible with Islamic finance principles. Students will receive support equivalent to standard student finance and make income-based contributions after leaving their course.
Alternative Student Finance is not currently available, and no confirmed launch date has been published. The Government intends to introduce it as soon as possible after the Lifelong Learning Entitlement has been implemented.
Until then, students may wish to explore scholarships, bursaries, UCB financial support and degree apprenticeships.