Applications open for the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement

Students in England planning to start a course between January and August 2027 can now apply for funding under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, a new student finance system designed to let people study flexibly throughout their working lives.

The Student Loans Company confirmed today that applications are open for courses starting between 1 January and 31 August 2027. Applications for the 2027-28 academic year will open in spring 2027.

What is changing

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement, or LLE, replaces the previous undergraduate funding system for students eligible through Student Finance England. It will also fund some postgraduate courses, such as healthcare and teaching qualifications, and some courses previously funded by Advanced Learner Loans.

The aim is to create a single, flexible system that helps people fit study around work and family life, whether they want a full degree or individual modules.

What you can get

Support is based on credits. A year of full-time study on a bachelor's degree is usually worth 120 credits.

• Students who have not had student finance before get a standard entitlement of Tuition Fee Loan of up to £39,160, roughly equivalent to 480 credits.
• Maintenance Loans of up to £15,415 a course year are available, depending on household income, where you live while studying and how many credits you take.
• Extra help, such as grants or allowances, is available for people on low incomes, disabled students and those with children.

Anyone who has had student finance before will have that taken into account. Loans are repaid only after finishing or leaving a course or module, under Repayment Plan 5 thresholds, and any outstanding balance is cancelled 40 years after repayments are first due.

"Every step of the way"

Derek Ross, Executive Director for HE/FE reform, said: "The Lifelong Learning Entitlement represents a significant reform to higher education funding, giving people the flexibility to access education throughout their working lives and build the skills to support the growth in our economy.

"I am delighted the initial application service is now available for learners planning to start their studies in January 2027."

How to apply

Applicants need a GOV.UK One Login account, which they can create when they start their application. Full details on eligibility are at gov.uk/lifelong-learning-entitlement.

With five universities and several large further education colleges, Birmingham has thousands of people who could use the new system to retrain, upskill or return to study. Anyone thinking about a course starting in the new year should check what they are entitled to now.