England 2013/14 - values of student fees

National student fee

1st cycle full-time – fees are set by institutions but capped at a maximum of GBP 9 000 for institutions with an approved access plan (to safeguard fair access for low income and other under-represented groups) and GBP 6 000 for institutions without an access plan. The average for 2012/13 was GBP 8 385. Students are not required to pay up front and can apply for a loan to cover the full fee. Repayments are income-contingent and made at the rate of 9 % of income above the threshold of GBP 21 000. These fees apply to students from all parts of the UK and from the EU but for students from Wales can be offset by a fee grant from the Welsh Government.

1st cycle part-time – fees are set by institutions but capped at GBP 6 750. Students are not required to pay up front and can apply for a loan to cover the full fee. Repayments as for full-time students.

2nd cycle – fees are unregulated. The ‘most common’ fee (GBP 3 900) represents an indicative amount for doctoral research programmes (which may incorporate masters level study) set by the Research Councils and used as a guide by many institutions. Actual fees charged vary widely, particularly for taught programmes.

1st and 2nd cycle international students – fees are unregulated.