, where tuition is free for local students, £28,000 in Northern Ireland, and £39,470 in Wales.

With the cost of living rising, many students are also working alongside their studies. A survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) found that 68% of full-time students are now employed during term time, working an average of 13 hours a week—the highest level in ten years.

Meanwhile, nearly 3 million graduates in the UK are repaying their student loans. The SLC says that 40% of those required to repay are making payments averaging £1,100 in 2024–25.

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England’s overall student loan book has now reached £266 billion, up significantly from £64 billion a decade ago following the increase in tuition fees. This figure is expected to grow further as the government raises domestic tuition fees from £9,250 to £9,535 from September 2025.

Despite this, the financial outlook for universities remains uncertain. The National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education found that a quarter of university leaders believe their institutions need major restructuring to survive. Over half said financial stability is now their top priority, while 28% cited international student recruitment as critical.A report by the Tony Blair Institute warns that many UK universities rely heavily on international student fees to offset falling domestic tuition revenue, which has dropped by nearly a third in real terms since 2012 due to inflation.The report adds that possible government changes to student visa rules—including a 6% levy on fees, stricter compliance, and reduced post-study work rights—could hurt universities most dependent on overseas enrolments, particularly post-1992 institutions.

Alexander Iosad from the institute said: “Universities with lower international rankings and former polytechnics had weaker finances and were most reliant on international students.”