Student planning calculator
Can I afford university?
Estimate the debt you might build up, the salary deductions you could face after graduation and how repayment pressure changes at different income levels.
Estimate university costs
Choose a region and adjust the assumptions. This is guidance only, not financial advice.
Low monthly pressure
Using £35,000 as the example salary for this band.
Estimated total borrowed
£61,860
Based on 3 years of tuition and living away outside london maintenance.
Monthly deduction at £35,000 salary
About £75/month
Based on Plan 5 - new English undergraduates: 9% over £25,000.
Repayment starts at
£25,000
Repayments usually start once income is above the plan threshold.
Estimated annual repayment
£900
Before future threshold, salary or policy changes.
Interest note
3.2% example
Plan 5 estimate: 9% above £25,000, with a 40-year write-off after repayments become due under current rules.
Likely repayment outcome
May not fully repay
This is not an exact payoff promise.
At this salary, you would repay around £75 per month before interest and policy changes. That does not mean the full loan will necessarily be cleared.
Your repayments may not cover the interest added, so the balance could grow even while you are paying.
Salary deduction examples
Rounded monthly estimates. Actual deductions may differ as thresholds and policy change.
Estimated monthly repayment on Plan 5
Estimated monthly repayment on Plan 2
What this means
University affordability is not only about the amount borrowed. For UK income-contingent loans, the monthly deduction depends mainly on future earnings and the loan plan threshold.
For US-style fixed repayment estimates, the monthly payment can create more direct budget pressure after graduation. Actual repayment options may differ by loan type and policy.
This calculator does not say whether university is worth it and does not rank degrees by return. It is designed to help you understand likely debt and repayment pressure before you commit.
Important disclaimer
This is guidance only. Student loan rules vary by country, loan plan and future policy. Your actual repayments may differ.
Affordit does not tell you whether university is worth it, rank degrees by return or provide financial advice.
Important note
Affordit is designed to help you plan before you commit. It does not run a credit check, connect to your bank account, approve finance or provide regulated financial advice. Use it as general planning guidance to sense-check your numbers.
Common questions
When do I start repaying my student loan?
In the UK, repayments usually start when your income is above the threshold for your loan plan. The threshold depends on the plan you are on.
Is my UK student loan like normal debt?
Not exactly. UK student loan repayments are based on income and are usually deducted through payroll. The balance and interest still matter, but monthly repayments depend mainly on earnings.
Will I repay the full loan?
Not always. Many borrowers may not fully repay before the loan is written off under current rules. It depends on income, interest, repayments and the loan plan.
How is a US student loan payment estimated?
This calculator uses a simple fixed-rate repayment model based on the amount borrowed, interest rate and repayment term. Actual repayment options may differ.