Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE): what it means for you

What is the Lifelong Learning Entitlement?

The LLE replaces the existing tuition fee loan system for higher education (HE) and some Advanced Learner Loans. It also introduces the option to use student finance for approved individual modules, rather than only full qualifications. Read more about student loans and finance.

It's a loan, not free study or a cash payment. As well as full qualifications, you may be able to fund approved individual modules, so you can study in smaller chunks at different stages of your life.

Bear in mind that:

• Where you live matters - if you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, different funding systems apply.
• Your course start date affects which rules apply - courses starting before 1 January 2027 will continue under the existing student finance arrangements.
• Your university's location isn't enough - studying at an English university doesn't automatically mean you're eligible for the LLE.

Get a full overview of the changes at GOV.UK - Lifelong learning entitlement: what it is and how it will work.

How could the LLE affect me?

Think about what you want to achieve through further study:

• Already have a degree? Check how much funding you have left before planning a second qualification.
• Leaving school or college? Compare the qualifications and experience you need for your chosen career, rather than choosing on funding alone. Consider your post-16 options.
• Need a specific skill? An approved module may be an alternative to a full course, but ask what it will count towards.
• Returning to education or studying alongside work? Look at the timetable, workload, living costs and tuition fees.

Am I eligible for the LLE?

Both new and returning learners may qualify, including those who have studied in higher education before. Eligibility depends on your:

• age
• chosen course or module
• nationality and residency
• previous funding.

The LLE is designed to support post-18 study. Tuition fee loans are generally available if you're aged 60 or under when you start your course. If you're returning to learning later in life, you may also want to look at adult education.

How much can I borrow through the LLE?

Your LLE entitlement is calculated using credits, which reflect how much learning a course involves. Understanding how credits work can help you work out how much funding you'll need and what you may have left for future study.

A full-time year of a Bachelors degree usually involves 120 credits, so a three-year degree is worth 360 credits. The standard LLE entitlement covers up to 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels.

You don't have to use the full amount at once. For example, you could use part of your funding for a first degree and return to study later. But a three-year degree won't automatically leave enough funding for another one-year course. The amount left depends on the fees funded and the eligibility rules for your next course.

Certain longer courses and priority subjects, including medicine and architecture, may qualify for additional entitlement on top of the standard allowance.

Full details are on GOV.UK - Student finance if your course starts on or after 1 January 2027.

Which courses can be funded through the LLE?

The LLE covers eligible courses at Levels 4 to 6 and some Level 7 postgraduate qualifications, including:

• Undergraduate - Bachelors degrees, including eligible courses with a foundation year, foundation degrees, Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs).
• Technical - Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs).
• Postgraduate - integrated Masters degrees, eligible postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT), including some Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses, and certain postgraduate diplomas in healthcare.
• Further education (FE) - college courses that were previously funded through Advanced Learner Loans.

Read our guide to undergraduate qualifications.

Study can be:

• full time
• part time
• through an accelerated course.

Some distance-learning courses also qualify.

Not every course at these levels is eligible, so check with the provider, particularly for technical qualifications. For example:

• Level 3 qualifications aren't covered - this includes A-levels and T Levels.
• Some Level 4 to 6 courses remain under existing funding arrangements - courses at providers not registered with the Office for Students (OfS) may continue to use Advanced Learner Loans during the transition period.

For more detail on how the new rules will work, read GOV.UK - Lifelong learning entitlement (LLE): guidance for providers.

How does the LLE affect postgraduate study and teacher training?

The LLE covers some postgraduate-level qualifications, as listed above, but excludes standalone Masters or Doctoral degrees. For those, you'll need to look at other postgraduate funding options instead.

If you're a graduate considering teacher training, having an undergraduate student loan doesn't necessarily prevent you from accessing further funding. Look into the arrangements for your training course, including whether an additional entitlement applies. Explore funding for teacher training.

Separate scholarships and bursaries may also be available for some subjects.

Can I use the LLE to study individual modules?

Yes, for approved modules. These are shorter blocks of learning focused on a particular topic or skill. Initially, funding covers approved HTQ modules at Levels 4 and 5, plus modules from some Level 6 qualifications in priority skills areas. For more details, see Skills for Careers' LLE guidance.

Approved modules may be available in subjects such as:

• architecture
• computing
• economics
• engineering
• health and social care
• nursing and midwifery.

Modules can suit you if you're in work and want to build a specific technical skill without committing to a full qualification. Check whether a module is recognised in your field and whether it supports the skills employers are looking for. Another option is to explore CPD opportunities for graduates. Funding also depends on the module's credit value and the provider, as explained below.

To qualify for funding, you'll normally need to study between 30 and 180 credits a year. You can meet the 30-credit minimum through a single module or by combining several modules from the same course.

The provider must also be approved to offer LLE-funded modules, so the LLE can't be used for just any short course. You can check approved providers and subjects on GOV.UK, or ask the provider whether the specific module is eligible for LLE funding.

Before you enrol, it's worth finding out the:

• assessment method, and the record of learning you'll receive
• content covered, and its relevance to the skill you need
• timetable and workload, and how well modular study will fit around your job.

Also ask whether the credits can count towards a full qualification and what additional study you'd need to complete it.

Should I choose a degree, HTQ or module?

Start by considering the qualifications and skills required for your chosen career or role.

An individual module or shorter qualification may be enough to develop a specific skill, but it isn't necessarily a substitute for a full qualification. Equally, a full degree may involve more study than you need if you're looking to fill a specific skills gap.

Can I retrain or take a second degree if I've studied before?

Possibly, but funding for a second qualification isn't guaranteed.

The LLE takes into account any previous funding when calculating your remaining allowance, known as your residual entitlement. Having a degree doesn't necessarily rule you out, but you also shouldn't assume you have another £39,160 to spend.

You can see an estimate of your remaining tuition fee loan before you apply by setting up an LLE student finance account on GOV.UK. This is particularly useful if you're:

• considering a second qualification
• retraining
• returning to education.

If you're considering a career change, an approved module might cover a gap in your skills. However, some careers may require a full qualification. Work out what the role requires, then see whether your funding will cover the study you need. Before committing, compare the full course fees with your estimated loan and work out how you'd cover any shortfall.

Some courses qualify for additional tuition fee entitlement, separate from your standard allowance. Check whether your course is eligible before assuming you'll receive extra funding for retraining.

Can I get help with living costs?

If your course requires in-person attendance, you may be able to apply for a maintenance loan towards living costs. The amount you can receive depends on your circumstances and course, including the number of credits involved.

Being eligible for a tuition fee loan doesn't mean you'll also get maintenance support.

If you're 60 or over, you can't get a tuition fee loan, but you may be able to apply for a limited, means-tested loan towards living costs.

Distance learners can only apply for maintenance support if a disability prevents them from attending their course in person.

Additional help may be available for:

• childcare
• disability-related costs
• travel.

You may also be eligible for grants or bursaries, including funding linked to specific courses, such as:

• NHS funding or eligible healthcare courses, including nursing and midwifery
• Social Work Bursaries
• teacher training funding.

Add up any funding you could receive and compare it with your expected living costs, travel and any loss of earnings to see whether your plan is affordable.

How will I repay an LLE loan?

Money borrowed through the LLE must be repaid. Repayments are based on your income, not on how much you borrowed, and interest is charged on the loan.

For courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, you'll only start repaying once you earn over £25,000 a year. If you haven't repaid in full after 40 years, the remaining balance is cancelled. The 40 years count from the April you're first due to start repaying.

Read more about the repayment system at GOV.UK - Repaying your student loan.

How do I apply for the LLE?

Applications are open for eligible courses and modules starting between 1 January and 31 July 2027.

First, check that your course or module is eligible. You'll then need to:

• create a new LLE account on GOV.UK, even if you already have a Student Finance England account
• provide proof of identity, usually your passport details
• submit a separate application for each course or module.

If your course lasts more than a year, you'll reapply annually.

When you're ready to apply, follow the steps at GOV.UK - Student finance: how to apply for courses starting in 2027.

Find out more

• For the latest updates, see Student Finance England - LLE.
• Get tips on saving money as a student.
• Browse professional qualifications.