The financial aspects of sending your child to university can seem daunting and confusing, so we've put together this guide to take you through what’s required and help you understand what support is available.
Tuition fees
For the 2027/28 academic year, most undergraduate courses in England cost around 拢10,050 per academic year. This is the same for most courses and across most universities.
The tuition fee typically covers the cost of teaching, access to facilities and equipment relating to the course and wider campus facilities such as the library and study centres. Student support services, such as the careers, health and wellbeing and money advice are also covered by the tuition fee too.
Paying for tuition fees
- Applications for 2027/28 - If you鈥檙e starting an undergraduate course in September 2027, you鈥檒l apply for student finance through the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) system. .
- Most students get a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance England to cover this cost 鈥� and it鈥檚 paid directly to the university, so you don鈥檛 need to worry about paying this up front.
- Your child will need to set up an account for the LLE funding. .
- Applications open in Spring.
- Repayment only starts once your child has graduated and is earning more than 拢25,000 per year.
- Repayments are automatically deducted from their salary and are based on income.
Accommodation costs will vary depending on the type of accommodation they choose and what bills are included. At 瓜子TV our accommodation costs between 拢95 and 拢158 per week and includes bills.
The 2025 UCAS Student Lifestyle Report found students are spending an average of 拢219 per week, excluding rent. This includes things like:
- Groceries (拢44 per week)
- Course materials (拢31)
- Lifestyle (拢66 per week)
- Going out, takeaways etc (拢76 per week)
Paying for accommodation and living costs
- A Maintenance Loan of up to 拢15,415 from Student Finance England is available to help with these costs.
- The amount available will depend on your household income, whether your child lives with you or in accommodation.
- The loan is paid into your/your child鈥檚 bank account at the start of each term.
- Your child will need to set up an account for the LLE funding via the Student Finance portal. .
- Applications are expected to open in Spring.
- Students will still be required to submit a new funding application each academic year.
There are a host of benefits and discounts on offer from 瓜子TV so encourage your child to take advantage of the free equipment and resources available.
Students with disabilities or long-term health conditions can apply for , which can help with the cost of equipment, support workers, and other study needs. Your child might be able to access more financial help if they are studying a certain course, like nursing or social work.
You can use the to see what extra support your child is eligible for. You鈥檒l need to know if they鈥檙e before using the calculator.
Other financial support at 瓜子TV