Student Loan Repayment Calculator UK 2025/26 — Plans 1, 2, 4 & 5
Student loan repayments in the UK are income-based — you repay 9% of earnings above your repayment threshold (6% for Postgraduate loans). Use this calculator to estimate your monthly repayments, total interest, and how long until your loan is written off.
Repayment thresholds 2025/26: Plan 1 £24,990/year, Plan 2 £27,295/year, Plan 4 £31,395/year, Plan 5 £25,000/year, Postgraduate £21,000/year. Interest rates vary — check Student Loans Company for the current rate applied to your loan. This is an estimate only.
Student Loan Repayment Thresholds 2025/26
| Plan | Annual threshold | Monthly threshold | Repayment rate | Write-off period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan 1 | £24,990 | £2,082 | 9% | Age 65 or 25 years from April after graduation |
| Plan 2 | £27,295 | £2,274 | 9% | 30 years from April after graduation |
| Plan 4 (Scotland) | £31,395 | £2,616 | 9% | 30 years from April after graduation |
| Plan 5 | £25,000 | £2,083 | 9% | 40 years from April after graduation |
| Postgraduate | £21,000 | £1,750 | 6% | 30 years from April after graduation |
How Student Loan Repayments Work
Student loan repayments are deducted automatically through payroll if you are employed, or via Self Assessment if self-employed. You only repay when your income exceeds the threshold — if you earn less, you pay nothing that month. Repayments do not show on your credit file. The loan is not a traditional debt — if you do not repay in full within the write-off period, the remainder is cancelled.
For many graduates on Plan 2 and Plan 5, the loan functions more like a graduate tax than a traditional loan — the majority of borrowers will not repay in full before write-off, meaning total repayments are capped by the write-off regardless of the original balance.
Should You Make Overpayments?
Overpayments are generally not recommended unless you are certain you will repay the full balance before write-off. If you are unlikely to repay in full (common for Plan 2 and Plan 5), making overpayments simply increases the total you pay with no benefit — the remaining balance is written off either way. Check your projected write-off date before making any voluntary overpayments.