Lifelong Learning Entitlement: changes to student funding from January 2027
Information and timelines are based on current government information at the time of writing w/c 15 September 2026 and may be subject to change. We will update this page as more information is released.
From January 2027, the UK government will introduce the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). The new system aims to provide you with more flexibility in your training and education. You’ll be able to apply for this entitlement from September 2026 for courses beginning in January 2027.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement – FAQ
How it works
Learners will have a Tuition Fee Loan entitlement of up to £39,160, equal to four years of full-time post-18 education.
The LLE will be credit-based (rather than based on academic years), with funding linked to learning credits.
A traditional full-time year is equivalent to 120 credits, and learners can apply for Tuition Fee Loans for a minimum of 30 credits, up to a maximum of 180 credits in any single course year or 12-month period. An additional entitlement will be available for priority subjects or longer courses, such as medicine degrees.
The entitlement can be used all at once for a degree, or spread over shorter courses, modules or higher technical qualifications over time.
Applications will be made through Student Finance England. Students are encouraged to apply at the earliest opportunity to check eligibility and remaining entitlement.
Note that previous government-funded study will be factored into a learner’s ‘residual entitlement’ under the LLE.
Key changes
The previous rule that restricted funding for equivalent or lower-level qualifications (also known as the ELQ rule) will be removed.
This means learners can use their remaining entitlement for courses at the same or lower level than their existing qualification(s).
This may help if you are retraining or changing careers.
Living costs
Maintenance loans will continue to be available for courses with in-person attendance (with exceptions for distance learning students who are unable to attend their course in person because of a disability).
Maintenance loans will be calculated on a pro-rata basis based on the number of credits being undertaken.
