Starting a master’s degree can feel like a big step with the Master’s Loan 2026, then the money questions land all at once. How will you cover fees, rent, travel, and the everyday stuff that adds up fast?
The postgraduate master’s loan from Student Finance England (SFE) is designed to help with both course fees and living costs, and it’s paid straight to you. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you need a clear plan, and the right evidence ready, so your application doesn’t stall.
This guide covers the 2026/27 academic year rules in plain English, what counts as eligible, how to apply, and what SFE tends to ask for when they need proof.
Key Takeaways
- For 2026/27, with the Postgraduate Master’s Loan you can borrow up to £13,206 in total, paid to your bank account across your course years.
- Postgraduate Master’s Loan eligibility rules depend on age (under 60), where you normally live (England), residency history, and course type.
- You usually apply online, and you can apply even if you’re still sorting final course details.
- SFE may ask for evidence of identity, residency, and immigration status (if relevant).
- Clear uploads and matching details (names, dates, addresses) prevent most delays.
Table of Contents
- Key Takeaways
- How The SFE Postgraduate Master’s Loan Works In 2026/27
- Eligibility Rules You Must Meet (England, Age, Course, And Previous Study)
- Application Steps
- Evidence SFE Might Ask For (And What Gets Checked Most Often)
- Frequently Asked Questions About Student Finance England Postgraduate Master’s Loan 2026/27
- Conclusion
How The SFE Postgraduate Master’s Loan Works In 2026/27
The Student Finance England Postgraduate Master’s Loan is a single pot of money for your master’s course. It’s not split into a tuition loan and a maintenance loan. You choose how to use it, whether that’s paying the university, covering rent, or buying the laptop you’ll rely on daily.
For courses starting in 2026/27, the maximum you can borrow is £13,206 total. SFE pays it directly into your bank account in instalments, normally three instalments each academic year. If your course is longer than one year, the total is spread across those years. Part-time study usually means the loan is spread out, and the amount can be reduced to reflect the intensity of study.
SFE explains how payments are assessed and released (including timing around course start and attendance confirmation) in student finance assessment and payment guidance for 2026 to 2027{:rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”}.
One practical tip: treat the loan like a monthly budget, not a windfall. The first instalment can feel huge, until you remember it has to last.
The Student Loans Company manages these payments, and students should be aware of the repayment threshold for future planning.
Eligibility Rules You Must Meet (England, Age, Course, And Previous Study)
SFE eligibility is mostly about four things: your age, where you normally live, your residency or immigration status, and the course itself.
You generally need to be under 60 on the first day of the first academic year of your course. You also need to be ordinarily resident in England (not just moving there for study), because Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland use different student finance services.
Residency rules can be strict. Many applicants, including UK nationals, need to show they’ve lived in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Ireland for three continuous years before the course starts (holidays don’t usually break the “ordinary residence” pattern). Even UK nationals living abroad typically must meet these residency requirements unless specific exceptions apply.
Course rules matter just as much. The postgraduate master’s loan is aimed at a full master’s degree (Level 7, commonly 180 credits, such as taught or research master’s: MA, MSc, LLM, MRes, MPhil). It typically does not cover most standalone PGCerts, PGDips, “top-up” master’s routes that rely heavily on exemptions from prior learning, integrated master’s degrees, or Initial Teacher Training funded via undergraduate routes.
Previous study can block you too. If you already have a master’s qualification (or a higher qualification), you’ll usually be ineligible, even if you funded it yourself. And if you’ve had a master’s loan before, you normally can’t get another unless you left the course for serious personal reasons (SFE may ask for evidence in that case).
For the official, detailed list, check Master’s Loan eligibility on GOV.UK{:rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”}.
Application Steps
Applying is mostly straightforward, but the form is picky. Think of it like airport security: it’s not personal, but small mismatches slow everything down.
Most students apply online. The simplest starting point is how to apply for a Master’s Loan{:rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”}.
Here’s what the process usually looks like:
- Create or log into your student finance account (you may already have one from undergrad).
- Choose the correct academic year (2026/27 for courses starting then).
- Enter personal details exactly as shown on your ID, including your National Insurance number and middle names if the form asks.
- Add course details (university, course name, start date, academic year, and whether it’s full-time or part-time).
- Provide bank details for payments.
- Submit the application, then upload evidence if SFE asks for it.
- Receive a Customer Reference Number from the Student Loans Company after submission.
You can often apply online before everything is final, then update your course choice later, but only do that if you’re confident the course will be eligible.
If you want a more general safety net for avoiding form mistakes and preparing documents when you apply online, use this internal guide: UK student finance application checklist.
Evidence SFE Might Ask For (And What Gets Checked Most Often)
Not every application triggers an evidence request. Some checks happen automatically. Problems start when something can’t be confirmed, or when details don’t match across systems.
Evidence requests often fall into these buckets:
- proof of identity: Providing UK passport details is the quickest method; others may need a birth or adoption certificate (often alongside another document).
- evidence of residency: Documents that support your address history, especially if you’ve lived abroad or moved often. SFE may ask for items like bank statements or official letters showing dates and addresses.
- Immigration or status evidence: If you’re not a UK national, you may need to provide proof of settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or documentation confirming your settled or pre-settled status for another eligible immigration route.
- Course evidence: If course details don’t match what your course provider has registered, SFE might ask for confirmation.
What causes delays most often is simple: blurred photos, missing pages, cropped corners, or uploading the wrong document. Providing UK passport details with clear photos speeds up verification. Before you hit upload, zoom in and check every line is readable on a phone screen.
If you can’t apply online, or SFE directs you to use paper, the official PDF is here: Postgraduate Loan application form{:rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”}.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Finance England Postgraduate Master’s Loan 2026/27
Can I Use The Loan For Both Fees And Living Costs?
Yes. The postgraduate master’s loan is paid to you, and you decide how to split it. Many students pay fees in instalments and keep the rest for rent and bills.
Do My Parents’ Income Or My Partner’s Income Affect The Amount?
Not usually. This loan is not normally based on household income in the way undergraduate maintenance funding is.
When’s The Deadline To Apply?
The application deadline is often up to 9 months after the start of the academic year for your course. That said, applying late can mean getting paid late, which is the part that hurts.
What If I’m Studying Part-Time Or Distance Learning?
Whether full-time or part-time, courses are usually eligible if they meet the course rules, but payments and amounts can be adjusted to match your study intensity for full-time or part-time study. Distance learning can be eligible in some cases, but living location and course provider rules still apply, and your course provider must confirm attendance. If you have additional needs, the Disabled Students’ Allowance can be a helpful resource.
Will SFE Pay The University Directly?
No. Payments go to your bank account. You’re responsible for paying the university by their deadlines.
Conclusion
If you’re relying on the Postgraduate Master’s Loan for 2026/27, treat the application like a paperwork project, not a quick form. Check eligibility early, apply as soon as you can, and keep your evidence ready in a folder so you’re not scrambling later. If you have a change of circumstances during your studies, contact the Student Loans Company. Once the loan lands, a simple monthly budget can make it feel far less stressful, much more like a plan for your master’s qualification.
