Student Loan Reality

UK student loans aren't like normal debt. They're written off after 25–40 years — and most graduates never repay the full amount. Here's your real picture.

60–70% of Plan 2 graduates never clear their loan before it's written off

Your loan

Which plan are you on?

Check your payslip or Student Loans Company account if unsure

I also have a Postgraduate (Master's/PhD) loan

Current loan balance (£)

Postgrad balance (£)

Years since you started repaying (or will start)

The write-off clock starts the April after you graduate. Enter 0 if you haven't started yet.

Your income

Current gross salary (£)

Expected annual salary growth 3%

0%4%8%

Salary growth is the biggest factor in whether you ever clear the loan. Be realistic, not optimistic.

Interest assumption

Loan interest rate (% per year)

Set automatically by your plan — adjust if you know better. Rates change each September with RPI; Plan 2 scales with income (capped at 6%).

Show me what overpaying would do

The reality

—

Likely to be written off

—

Your numbers

Current balance—

Monthly repayment now—

—

Write-off after—

Years left until write-off—

Total you'll repay—

Balance at write-off—

Your balance over time

Does it ever reach zero before write-off?

What this means Enter your details above.

For illustrative purposes only. Not financial advice.
Thresholds and write-off periods per HMRC / Student Loans Company, 2026/27. Interest is modelled as a flat rate, but real rates change each September with RPI and (on Plan 2) scale with income, so your actual balance path will differ. Real outcomes depend on actual salary, interest and threshold changes over decades.