Lifelong Learning Entitlement: applications now open

Applications for the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) opened at the end of October 2026. You can now apply to Student Finance England for courses and modules at Level 4 to 6 that start on or after 1 January 2027.

The LLE is a loan for tuition fees. You can borrow up to £39,160 in tuition fee loans over your lifetime, less any government tuition funding you’ve had before. That’s about 4 years of full-time study. You can use it for a full course, part-time study, or some single modules.

Who should apply now

Apply if you’ve got a place, or plan to get one, on a course or module that:

• starts on or after 1 January 2027
• is at Level 4, 5 or 6 (or some Level 7 courses, such as integrated master’s degrees)
• is run by a university or college registered with the Office for Students

You need to be under 60 on the first day of your course to get a tuition fee loan.

If your course started before 1 January 2027, you don’t need to do anything new. Keep using your existing account.

What to do

1. Check your course. Ask the university or college if your course or module is approved for LLE funding, and how many credits you’ll study. You need at least 30 credits in a year.
2. Get your documents ready. You’ll need proof of identity. If you apply for help with living costs, you may need details of your household income.
3. Create a new account. You need a new Student Finance England account for the LLE, even if you’ve had student finance before.
4. Apply for each course or module. Each one needs its own application. For a longer course, you apply again each year.

Important dates

Date	What happens
End of October 2026	Applications opened for courses starting from 1 January 2027
1 January 2027	The earliest start date for LLE-funded courses and modules
Spring 2027	Applications open for courses starting from 1 August 2027

You can apply after your course starts, but there’s a deadline. It’s the last day of the ninth month of your course year, or your course end date if that’s sooner.

Paying it back

It’s a loan, so you pay it back. You start once you earn over £25,000 a year before tax. You pay 9% of what you earn over that amount. Anything left after 40 years is written off. Interest is currently 4.1% (checked 20 October 2026) and can change.

Find out more

• The Lifelong Learning Entitlement explained: how much you can get, living costs and repayments.
• Part-time degrees and modules from January 2027: what the LLE means if you study part time or from home.
• All funding for adult courses

Questions

What's the latest I can apply for a course starting in January 2027?

You must apply by the last day of the ninth month of your course year, or by the day your course ends if that's sooner. For a course starting on 15 January 2027, that's 30 September 2027. Applying early means your funding is more likely to be ready when you start.

Can I use my existing Student Finance England account?

No. You need a new account for the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, even if you already have one.

My course starts in September 2027. When do I apply?

Applications for courses starting from 1 August 2027 open in spring 2027.

Sources

• Student finance: how to apply for courses starting in 2027: How to applygov.uk
• Student finance: how to apply for courses starting in 2027: When to applygov.uk
• Student finance if your course starts on or after 1 January 2027: Overviewgov.uk
• Student finance if your course starts on or after 1 January 2027: Eligibilitygov.uk
• Lifelong learning entitlement: what it is and how it will workgov.uk
• Repaying your student loan: How much you repaygov.uk

Last reviewed: 20 October 2026