Be University Wise guides › Tuition fees
Tuition fees in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
How much you pay depends on where you normally live and where you study. For 2026 to 2027, universities in England and Wales can charge up to £9,790 a year for a full-time undergraduate course.
Checked against official sources on 24 September 2026.
Maximum fees for UK students, 2026 to 2027
| You normally live in | Study in England | Study in Wales | Study in Scotland | Study in Northern Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | Up to £9,790 | Up to £9,790 | Up to £9,790 | Set by the university |
| Wales | Up to £9,790 | Up to £9,790 | Up to £9,790 | Set by the university |
| Scotland | Up to £9,790 | Up to £9,790 | £1,820, paid by SAAS for eligible students | Set by the university |
| Northern Ireland | Up to £9,790 | Up to £9,790 | Up to £9,790 | Up to £4,985 |
Sources: GOV.UK Student finance; Welsh Government; Department for the Economy (NI); SAAS. Fees for students from Great Britain at Northern Ireland universities are set by each university: check the course page. For example, Queen's University Belfast charges £9,790 a year to students from Great Britain in 2026 to 2027.
England
The maximum fee is £9,790 for 2026 to 2027, up from £9,535, for universities and colleges with a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) award; those without one can charge up to £9,525. Students from England can get a Tuition Fee Loan to cover it, paid straight to the university.
England from 2027 to 2028
If you start in autumn 2027, your first year falls in 2027 to 2028. The Office for Students has published the limits for that year: up to £10,050 a year with a TEF award and £9,780 without, for a full-time course (Office for Students: fee limits). Fees for later years can rise, so check each university's terms.
For courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, England is moving to the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, a single loan allowance based on credits. See student finance.
Wales
The Welsh Government set a fee limit of £9,790 for 2026 to 2027. Eligible students from Wales can get a Tuition Fee Loan for courses in Wales or England, so they do not have to pay upfront.
Scotland
Eligible students from Scotland studying in Scotland have their tuition fee of £1,820 paid by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), so in practice they pay nothing. Many Scottish degrees last four years. Students from the rest of the UK can be charged up to £9,790 a year at Scottish universities, and can get a loan from their own student finance body.
Northern Ireland
Students from Northern Ireland studying at a Northern Ireland university can be charged up to £4,985 a year. Studying in Great Britain, they can be charged up to £9,790 and can get a loan from Student Finance NI.
International students
International fees are set by each university and vary widely by course. Check the course page, and see home or international fee status if you are not sure which you will pay.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Student finance
- Welsh Government: tuition fee limits for 2026 to 2027
- Department for the Economy (NI): rates memorandum 2026 to 2027
- Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
- Queen's University Belfast: tuition fees
Quick answers
What is the maximum university tuition fee in England for 2026/27?
£9,790 a year for a full-time undergraduate course at a university or college with a TEF award (£9,525 without), up from £9,535 in 2025/26.
What will tuition fees in England be in 2027/28?
The Office for Students has published limits of £10,050 a year with a TEF award and £9,780 without, for full-time undergraduate courses.
Do Scottish students pay tuition fees in Scotland?
Eligible students from Scotland studying in Scotland have their £1,820 fee paid by SAAS, so they do not pay it themselves.
What are tuition fees in Northern Ireland for 2026/27?
Up to £4,985 a year for students from Northern Ireland at Northern Ireland universities.