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Students & Graduates · 2025/26 threshold

Plan 1 Student Loan Calculator

Plan 1 covers pre-September-2012 English & Welsh undergrads and all Northern Ireland borrowers — 9% of income above £26,065 (2025/26).

Your salary

£

Plan 1 threshold: £26,065 (2025/26). Rate 9% on the excess.

Monthly repayment

£67

£804 per year

Calculation

  • Annual salary
    £35,000
  • Plan 1 threshold
    −£26,065
  • Income above threshold
    £8,935
  • Annual repayment (9%)
    £804

How we calculated your result

Repayment = 9% × (annual salary − £26,065). Collected via PAYE if employed, via Self Assessment if self-employed. Below the threshold, no repayments are due.

Official UK rules in simple English

  • Threshold £26,065 (frozen until 2027).
  • Interest = Bank of England base rate + 1% (or RPI, whichever lower).
  • England/Wales: written off 25 years after first April due, or at age 65 if older loans.
  • Northern Ireland: written off 25 years after first April due.

Common pitfalls to watch out for

  • ⚠ Don't confuse with Plan 2 or 5

    Different thresholds, different interest. Check your SLC dashboard.

  • ⚠ Overpaying rarely pays off

    Plan 1 interest is low; balance often dwindles via PAYE alone.

  • ⚠ Overseas earnings still count

    Notify SLC if leaving UK — penalties for non-disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have Plan 1 and a Postgrad Loan?
Yes. They’re collected as separate deductions.
When does it get written off?
25 years after the first April you became liable to repay.

Estimate based on 2025/26 thresholds. Actual PAYE deductions calculated monthly.

Related calculators

More tools in Students & Graduates.