Thinking about studying part-time, but worried the money side will be a maze? You’re not alone. Part-time student finance England has its own rules, and the biggest one is “intensity”, which decides whether you get funding at all, and how much you can receive.
This guide breaks down the intensity rules, who’s eligible, what you can apply for in 2026/27, and what payment dates and repayment rules normally look like, so you can plan like you’ve seen the timetable in advance.
Key Takeaways
- Part-time funding usually starts at 25% intensity or above.
- Your Maintenance Loan is scaled to your intensity (it’s not one fixed amount).
- The Tuition Fee Loan isn’t means-tested, but maintenance support is.
- Tuition fees are paid direct to your uni, maintenance is paid to you (usually in 3 chunks).
- If your course or intensity changes, update Student Finance fast, or payments can be delayed.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- What “Intensity” Means For Part-Time Student Finance England
- Eligibility And What Funding You Can Get As A Part-Time Student
- How Part-Time Student Finance Payments Work (And What Can Delay Them)
- Frequently Asked Questions About Part-Time Student Finance England
- Conclusion
What “Intensity” Means For Part-Time Student Finance England
Intensity is basically your study “pace” compared to the full-time version of the same course. Think of full-time study like running at 100% speed. Part-time is choosing a slower speed that still gets you to the finish line.
For Student Finance England, intensity matters because it sets the minimum entry point for funding. In February 2026, the core rule is that you normally need to study at 25% intensity or more to qualify. Below 25%, you won’t get part-time undergraduate finance.
Intensity also controls how long you can take overall. A common way it’s explained is: you must be able to complete your course in no more than four times the length of the full-time equivalent, up to a maximum of 16 years.
Where it gets practical is maintenance support. Your Maintenance Loan (if you’re eligible for it) is a percentage of the full-time rate, based on your intensity band. Here’s the typical scaling used:
| Part-Time Intensity | Maintenance Loan You Can Get (As % Of Full-Time) |
|---|---|
| Less than 25% | None |
| 25% to under 33.3% | 25% |
| 33.3% to under 50% | 33.3% |
| 50% to under 66.6% | 50% |
| 66.6% to under 75% | 66.6% |
| 75% to under 100% | 75% |
| 100% | 100% |
Your university sets the intensity, not you, so if you’re unsure, ask your course team what intensity they’ll report. For the official government overview of part-time rules, use part-time student finance on GOV.UK{:rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”}.
Eligibility And What Funding You Can Get As A Part-Time Student
Eligibility for part-time student finance isn’t only about being on a part-time course. It’s a mix of course type, where you normally live, and personal circumstances.
The Main Eligibility Checks (In Plain English)
Most students will hit these checks first:
- Residency: often you must be ordinarily resident in England and have lived in the UK for a qualifying period before your course starts.
- Course: it must be a designated part-time undergraduate course (your provider can tell you if it’s designated).
- Intensity: usually 25%+.
- Age: there’s typically an age limit for receiving the Maintenance Loan (often under 60 at the start of the academic year).
It’s also worth knowing that some part-time living cost support has extra residency conditions for certain cohorts. UCAS explains this clearly for students who are “tuition fee only” and who may qualify for living cost help under specific rules, see UCAS guidance for part-time tuition-fee-only students{:rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”}.
Tuition Fee Loan Versus Maintenance Loan (Why The Difference Matters)
For part-time undergraduates, the Tuition Fee Loan is usually the simpler bit. It’s not based on your household income, and it’s paid to your uni. For 2026/27, the maximum part-time Tuition Fee Loan is commonly listed as up to £7,335 per year (your actual amount depends on your fees and course details).
The Maintenance Loan is where households and evidence come into play. It’s income-assessed and scaled by intensity. There are also different maximums depending on course type, with 2026/27 figures often shown as:
- Up to £4,315 for classroom-based courses
- Up to £7,335 for courses with a practical element (subject to the official rules for your course)
If the household income part is confusing (or you’re trying to work out which documents they’ll ask for), the breakdown in SFE household income assessment can save a lot of back-and-forth.
How Part-Time Student Finance Payments Work (And What Can Delay Them)
Part-time funding usually moves in two streams: tuition fees to your provider, and maintenance to your bank account.
Tuition Fee Loan Payments
Your Tuition Fee Loan is normally paid straight to your uni in instalments across the year. A common split is:
- 25% at the start of term 1
- 25% at the start of term 2
- 50% at the start of term 3
You usually become liable for tuition fees once you’ve been on the course for around two weeks, after your attendance is confirmed.
Maintenance Loan Payments
If you qualify for part-time maintenance, it’s usually paid to you in three instalments, around the start of each term. Exact dates vary by course and provider, so your online account is the best place to check.
If your maintenance amount looks wrong, it’s often because household income hasn’t been fully assessed yet, or your living details are off. If you’re troubleshooting, reduced SFE maintenance loan causes gives a quick, student-friendly checklist.
Changes In Intensity Or Circumstances
Part-time study plans can change fast, a module gets deferred, work hours jump, caring duties appear. If your intensity changes, or you change course details, your funding can change too. Reporting it quickly helps prevent overpayments, underpayments, or missed tuition instalments. Use report changes to Student Finance England if you’re not sure what counts as a “real” change.
If Student Finance asks for documents, delays are often caused by blurry uploads or missing pages. The practical fix is in SFE evidence upload checklist.
For the official view of how students are assessed, paid, and how repayments work for the current cycle, read student finance how you’re assessed and paid (2026 to 2027){:rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”}.
Frequently Asked Questions About Part-Time Student Finance England
Can I Get Student Finance If I Study Below 25% Intensity?
Usually no. The standard rule is that part-time undergraduates need to study at 25% intensity or above to qualify for Student Finance England support. If you’re close to the line, ask your provider what intensity they will report, because that’s what Student Finance uses.
Do Part-Time Students Get A Maintenance Loan?
Some do, but not everyone. Maintenance support depends on your eligibility, your residency position, and your intensity band. If you qualify, the amount is normally scaled as a percentage of the full-time rate, and it can also be reduced by household income.
When Will I Actually Receive Payments?
Tuition Fee Loan payments go to your university, often split across terms. Maintenance Loan payments (if you get them) usually arrive in three instalments across the academic year. Your payments can be held up until your attendance is confirmed and any evidence checks are completed.
Do I Repay Part-Time Student Loans The Same Way As Full-Time?
Repayments are based on income, not study mode. You normally start repaying from the April after you finish or leave, or the April four years after your course start date (whichever comes first), even if you’re still studying. Repayments are typically 9% of income over the threshold for your plan.
Conclusion
Part-time study can be the right fit, but the funding only makes sense once you understand intensity. Keep the 25% rule in mind, double-check your eligibility early, and watch your online account for payment dates and evidence requests. If you treat student finance admin like coursework, do it early and keep copies, you’ll have fewer surprises when term starts.