England Links £9,790 University Tuition Fees to Inflation From 2026

2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 18

England will raise university tuition fees annually with inflation from 2026, taking the undergraduate cap from £9,535 to £9,790 in the 2026-27 academic year.
The shift follows years of university funding pressure after fees were frozen at £9,250 since 2017, while inflation and weaker international student numbers eroded their real value.
Maintenance support will also rise with inflation: the maximum loan for English students living away from home outside London increases to £10,830 from £10,544 in 2026-27.
Graduates in England who became liable to repay in April 2026 left with average debt of £47,730, down from £53,000 a year earlier, partly because newer Plan 5 loans carry lower interest.
The broader cost picture remains heavy: Hepi estimates students need £61,000 over a three-year degree excluding tuition fees, while England's 2023 loan changes mean many will repay for longer.