Can I get student finance on a student visa?

Generally, no. International students on a Student visa (formerly Tier 4) are not eligible for student loans or grants from Student Finance England. You must fund your studies through personal savings, scholarships, or other means. There are limited exceptions for certain refugee and protection statuses.

Can spouse visa holders get student finance?

Spouse visa holders are generally not eligible for home fee status or student finance. However, once you have ILR or settled status, you become eligible for home fees and student loans, provided you meet the residency requirements (usually three years of ordinary residence in the UK).

When do I become eligible for student finance as an immigrant?

You typically become eligible once you have settled status (ILR, British citizenship, or EU settled status) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years before the start of your course. Some categories, such as refugees, may be eligible sooner.

Do EU nationals still get student finance in the UK?

EU nationals who arrived after 1 January 2021 and do not have EU Settlement Scheme status are generally treated as international students and are not eligible for student finance. Those with EUSS settled status who meet the three-year residency requirement can access student finance.

Student Finance for Visa Holders in the UK 2026

Student finance eligibility in the UK is tied to immigration status and residency history. Most visa holders pay international fees and cannot access student loans. Settled residents (ILR, citizenship, EUSS settled status) with three years of UK residence can access home fees and full student finance. This guide covers eligibility by visa type, fee categories, and alternative funding options.

How Immigration Status Affects Student Finance

The UK student finance system divides students into two broad categories: home students and international students. Your immigration status is the main factor determining which category you fall into:

Home students pay lower tuition fees and can access student loans and grants
International students pay higher fees and cannot access government-funded student finance

This is set out in the GOV.UK student finance pages. The rules can be complex, so let us break it down by visa type.

Eligibility by Visa Type

Student Visa

If you hold a Student visa, you are classified as an international student. You pay international tuition fees and cannot access student loans, tuition fee loans, or maintenance grants from Student Finance England (or the equivalent bodies in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).

Spouse or Partner Visa

Spouse visa holders are generally classified as international students until they obtain ILR. However, some universities may offer home fee status to spouse visa holders on a discretionary basis. Always check directly with the university.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

If you have ILR and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for three years before the start of your course, you qualify for home fee status and full student finance including tuition fee loans and maintenance loans.

Refugees and Humanitarian Protection

Refugees and those with humanitarian protection are eligible for home fees and student finance from day one, without the three-year residency requirement. This also extends to their dependants.

EU Settlement Scheme

Those with EUSS settled status who meet the three-year ordinary residence requirement can access student finance. Those with pre-settled status have more limited eligibility. See our EUSS guide for more on the settlement scheme.

The Three-Year Residency Rule

Even with settled status, you must have been ordinarily resident in the UK (or the EEA/Switzerland for certain EU nationals) for three years immediately before the first day of your course. "Ordinary residence" means living in the UK voluntarily and for settled purposes. Short absences for holidays are generally fine, but extended periods abroad may break your qualifying residence.

What Student Finance Covers

If you are eligible, student finance from Student Finance England can include:

Tuition fee loan: Covers your full tuition fees (up to the maximum set by the government). You do not start repaying until you earn above the repayment threshold after graduating.
Maintenance loan: Helps with living costs. The amount depends on your household income, where you study, and whether you live at home.
Grants and bursaries: Some means-tested support may be available, particularly for students with dependants or disabilities.

Check the GOV.UK student finance eligibility page for the latest amounts and thresholds.

Alternative Funding for Ineligible Visa Holders

If you cannot access student finance, consider:

University scholarships: Many universities offer scholarships specifically for international students
External scholarships: Organisations such as Chevening, Commonwealth, and country-specific bodies offer funded study opportunities
Part-time work: If your visa allows it, working part-time can supplement your income (see our student work rights guide)
Savings: You must show you can fund your studies as part of the student visa requirements
Home country loans: Some countries offer educational loans for study abroad

Postgraduate Students

Postgraduate loans are available to eligible settled residents on similar terms to undergraduate finance. The amounts are different, and the eligibility criteria are broadly the same: you need settled status and three years of UK residence.

International students doing postgraduate study pay international fees and are not eligible for government postgraduate loans.

Next Steps

Check your immigration status against the eligibility criteria above. If you have ILR or settled status and three years of residence, apply for student finance through the relevant body. If you are not eligible, explore scholarships and alternative funding well before your course starts.

Related guides: