UK student loans work completely differently from any other debt. Unlike a mortgage or credit card, the amount you repay is tied to your income, not your balance. And after 25–40 years, the loan is written off entirely regardless of how much you still owe. This means the standard debt advice — pay it off as fast as possible — is often the WORST approach for student loans. Here's what you actually need to know.
Understanding Your Repayment Plan
UK student loans fall into different plans depending on when you started university. Plan 1 (started before 2012): repay 9% of income above £26,900 (2026/27); written off at age 65. Plan 2 (2012–2023): repay 9% of income above £29,385 (2026/27); written off after 30 years. Plan 5 (2023 onwards): repay 9% of income above £25,000; written off after 40 years. Postgraduate loans: repay 6% of income above £21,000. The threshold changes each year. Your repayments are automatically deducted from salary through PAYE.
- Plan 1 (before 2012): 9% above £26,900, written off at age 65
- Plan 2 (2012–2023): 9% above £29,385, written off after 30 years
- Plan 5 (2023+): 9% above £25,000, written off after 40 years
- Postgraduate: 6% above £21,000, written off after 30 years
- You can have multiple plans simultaneously
Why Most Graduates Should NOT Overpay
For most Plan 2 graduates, the loan will be partially or fully written off after 30 years. Any overpayment above your required contribution is only beneficial if you would have cleared the loan anyway before the write-off date. Government projections suggest most Plan 2 graduates will not clear their loan in full — and for them, any extra they pay in is effectively wasted. High earners who will clear the loan quickly are the exception. For them, overpaying makes sense as they save interest.
- If you won't clear the loan in 30 years: don't overpay
- Plan 2 interest rate: RPI + 3% while studying, RPI to RPI+3% after graduating depending on income (currently capped at 6%)
- Overpayment is not refundable if your loan is later written off
- High earners (likely to clear early): overpaying reduces interest
- Check your projected balance at gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan
When Overpaying DOES Make Sense
Overpaying makes financial sense only if you are certain (not just likely) to clear the loan before write-off. This generally means: you're a high earner on Plan 2 (earning £65,000+), you started with a relatively small loan (perhaps studied part-time or got a scholarship), or you're on Plan 1 where the interest rate has historically been lower. For postgraduate loans, the shorter write-off period (30 years) and lower income threshold means more people benefit from targeted overpayments.
- High earner who will clear loan before 30-year write-off: overpaying saves interest
- Plan 1 borrower close to write-off age: accelerating clearance makes sense
- Small balance relative to income: will clear anyway, so minimise interest
- Use a student loan calculator to project your balance to write-off date
What to Do With the Money Instead
The money you'd 'save' by not overpaying should go elsewhere: first into an emergency fund, then maximise employer pension matching, then into an ISA. For most graduates, these options provide better financial outcomes than student loan overpayments. Your required 9% deduction is mandatory and acts like a graduate tax — you can't avoid it. But voluntary overpayments are almost always better directed elsewhere.
- Emergency fund: 3-6 months expenses (non-negotiable first step)
- Pension: get full employer match (instant guaranteed return)
- Stocks and Shares ISA: likely better long-term return than loan interest saved
- Property deposit: if buying is a goal
What happens to my student loan if I move abroad?
You still owe it. You must notify the Student Loans Company and make an 'overseas assessment' to determine repayments. Non-payment overseas is legally pursued.
Does student loan debt affect my credit score?
No. UK student loans don't appear on credit files and have no impact on your credit score, mortgage applications, or other credit decisions.
What's the interest rate on Plan 2 student loans?
Plan 2 charges RPI + 3% while studying and for higher earners (income above £52,885 in 2026/27). Those earning between £29,385 and £52,885 pay a graduated rate between RPI and RPI+3%. The rate is currently capped at 6%, and the exact rate updates in September each year.
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