Student loan repayment thresholds 2026/27

Plan 1, 2, 4, 5 and postgraduate loan thresholds and rates, how repayments come out of pay, and what changed this year.

  • 2026/27 tax year, reviewed 2nd September 2026
  • Figures from HMRC and the Treasury
  • Updated automatically when rates change
  • £29,385Plan 2 threshold
  • £25,000Plan 5 threshold
  • 9%Repayment rate (plans 1–5)

What changed from 2025/26 to 2026/27

Item2025/262026/27Change
Plan 1 threshold£26,065£26,900+£835
Plan 2 threshold£28,470£29,385+£915
Plan 4 threshold£32,745£33,470+£725
Plan 5 threshold£25,000£25,000No change
Postgraduate loan threshold£21,000£21,000No change

Full rates and thresholds

Everything for 2026/27 in one place.

Thresholds and rates

PlanAnnual thresholdRate above threshold
Plan 1 (pre-2012 England and Wales, Northern Ireland)£26,9009%
Plan 2 (England and Wales 2012–2023)£29,3859%
Plan 4 (Scotland)£33,4709%
Plan 5 (England from 2023)£25,0009%
Postgraduate loan£21,0006%

Worth knowing

  • Repayments are 9% (6% postgraduate) of earnings above the threshold, collected through PAYE per pay period, so a bonus month can trigger a repayment even if annual pay is below the threshold.
  • Employers just apply the plan type on the starter checklist or HMRC notice; they do not need the balance.

Run your own figures: Salary, Tax and Take-Home Pay Calculator

Salary, Tax and Take-Home Pay Calculator

Before any deductions. Include regular bonuses or commission if you want them taxed here.

Auto-enrolment minimum is 5% (including tax relief). Enter 0 if opted out.

Enter your figures to see results.

Uses 2026/27 rates, last reviewed 2nd September 2026.

Figures are estimates for guidance only and are not financial, tax or legal advice. Calculations run in your browser; nothing you enter is stored or sent to us.

Open the full Salary, Tax and Take-Home Pay Calculator page

Frequently asked questions

What is the Plan 2 threshold for 2026/27?

£29,385, up from £28,470 in 2025/26. You repay 9% of earnings above it.

Ask the people who have done it

Six thousand UK business owners, accountants and apprentices on the forum. Post your question, get replies, and use the calculators for the numbers.