Higher Education Funding

At Preston College, we know that funding is an important part of deciding whether higher education is right for you. Student finance in England is changing, so the funding available to you will depend on when your course starts.

Fees and charges
The College sets and publishes tuition fees for all higher education provision in line with national guidance and regulatory requirements. Full details are available on the HE Fees & Charges page and in the College Fees Policy. Always refer to your chosen course page for the most up-to-date fee information.

Courses that started before 1 January 2027
Students who started their higher education course before 1 January 2027 will continue under the previous student finance system rather than the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

Eligible students could apply for:

• a Tuition Fee Loan towards the cost of their course; and
• a Maintenance Loan to help with living costs.

Tuition fees vary by course. Students should refer to their course information for the fees that apply to their programme.

Courses starting from 1 January 2027: Lifelong Learning Entitlement

Student finance is changing for eligible courses and modules starting from 1 January 2027.

The new system is called the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). It is designed to make student finance more flexible, allowing eligible learners to access loan funding for full qualifications and certain individual modules and to study at different points during their working lives.

New eligible learners can access Tuition Fee Loan funding of up to £39,160, equivalent to four years of study based on the maximum tuition fee for the 2026/27 academic year. The amount available to you may be different if you have previously received government funding for higher education study.

What can the LLE fund?

Depending on your eligibility and the course you choose, LLE funding can be used towards eligible higher education study, including full courses at levels 4 to 6, some level 7 courses, and eligible modules.

This means that, for some programmes, you may be able to study in smaller stages rather than committing to a full qualification at the outset.

Not every individual module is eligible for LLE funding. Preston College will make clear which of its courses and modules are eligible for LLE student finance.

Find out about your funding eligibility here

Have you studied higher education before?

Previous higher education study does not necessarily prevent you from receiving LLE funding.

If you have studied a HE course previously, your available Tuition Fee Loan entitlement may be reduced depending on your previous study and the funding you received.

Some eligible priority courses may also attract additional Tuition Fee Loan funding, known as Priority Additional Entitlement, even if you have used your main LLE entitlement.

Maintenance Loans and additional support

Eligible students may also be able to apply for a Maintenance Loan to help with living costs.

Under the LLE, Maintenance Loans may be available where your course or module requires in-person attendance. The amount available depends on your individual circumstances and eligibility, including factors such as household income, course length and study intensity.

Other financial support may also be available depending on your circumstances, including support for students with disabilities, childcare and other additional costs.

Repaying your student loan

Student loans are repayable, but repayments are linked to your income.

For courses starting from 1 January 2027, repayments begin once you have finished or left your course and your income is above the relevant repayment threshold. GOV.UK currently states that LLE borrowers will start repaying when they earn over £25,000 a year.

Student finance rules and repayment terms can change, so always check the latest GOV.UK guidance before making financial decisions.

Access to Higher Education courses

Students aged 19 or over studying an eligible Access to Higher Education Diploma may be able to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you complete your Access to HE course and subsequently complete an eligible higher education qualification, the outstanding Advanced Learner Loan for your Access course may be written off subject to the applicable government rules.

Links to publicly available guidance

Because student finance depends on your individual circumstances, you should check the official guidance before applying for detailed or eligibility-specific information.

For more detailed guidance, please visit:

Skills for Careers: Lifelong Learning Entitlement

GOV.UK: Student finance for courses starting on or after 1 January 2027

GOV.UK: Lifelong Learning Entitlement overview

LLE what you need to know 

LLE how tuition fee loans will work from 2027