Useful next calculations
Rates and sources, 2026/27
2026/27 annual repayment estimate for a single undergraduate plan. Payroll calculations use pay-period thresholds and can differ slightly.
| Band or figure | Rate |
|---|---|
| Plan 1 threshold | £26,900 |
| Plan 2 threshold | £29,385 |
| Plan 4 threshold | £33,795 |
| Plan 5 threshold | £25,000 |
Source: HMRC — 2026/27 student-loan deduction tables. Source checked for 2026/27.
When to use this calculator
- Before comparing personal loan or credit offers on the same amount and term.
- When you want to see total interest, not only the monthly payment.
- When you are choosing between a shorter term and a lower monthly debit.
- When you need a planning estimate before making a credit application.
Example: estimating student loan deductions from a UK salary
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual gross salary | £35,000 |
| Repayment plan | Standard plan for your locale settings |
| Other deductions | Income tax and payroll deductions still apply |
| Goal | Estimate monthly repayment impact |
Student loan deductions often feel small until they are combined with tax and pension. Seeing them together is what makes the cash-flow impact clear.
Method & assumptions
This calculator estimates monthly and annual student loan repayments based on your gross annual income and the repayment plan you are enrolled on. Each plan has a distinct income threshold and repayment rate set by the Student Loans Company and the relevant government body, and this calculator applies the published figures for the current tax year.
Repayments are calculated on income above the threshold only — not total earnings. The calculator does not model interest accrual, loan write-off projections, or the long-term total cost of different repayment strategies. For a Postgraduate Loan (Plan 3) at 6% above £21,000, use the postgraduate loan calculator. Both can run at the same time. If you hold both a postgraduate and undergraduate loan, both deductions may appear on your payslip simultaneously. Always verify your plan type with the Student Loans Company before relying on these figures.
Common mistakes
- Judging an offer by the monthly payment alone and ignoring total interest.
- Using a representative APR as if it were a guaranteed personal rate.
- Forgetting arrangement fees or early-settlement terms.
- Comparing two loans that do not use the same amount and term.
What to do next
- Compare offers using the same amount and term, then check total repayable.
- Add fees and read early-settlement terms before treating the estimate as the full cost.
- Test a shorter term to see whether a higher payment is worth the interest saved.
- If several debts are involved, use a consolidation or payoff planner next.