Part-Time Student Loan Repayment Thresholds
Are thresholds lower for part-time study? No. But you might start repaying before you finish your course.
A common misconception is that part-time students have a lower repayment threshold because they study less intensity. This is false.
1. Thresholds are Identical
Repayment is based on annual income, not study intensity.
- Part-Time Plan 2: Threshold is £29,385 (Apr 2026).
- Full-Time Plan 2: Threshold is £29,385 (Apr 2026).
If you study part-time but work full-time and earn £35,000, you will pay 9% of the amount over £29,385, exactly the same as a graduate.
2. The "4-Year Rule" (Statutory Repayment Due Date)
The biggest difference for part-time students is when you start repaying.
The Rule
You become liable to repay the April after you finish your course OR the April 4 years after the start of your course, whichever comes first.
Example: You start a 6-year part-time degree in 2024.
By April 2028 (4 years later), you must start making repayments if your income is over the threshold, even though you are still studying.