University tuition fees in England to RISE with inflation from 2026 – what can you do?

Tuition fees in England will rise in line with inflation from next year, the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced in the House of Commons today.

The increase will apply to undergraduate tuition fee caps for all higher education providers for the next two academic years.

Here’s what we know so far…

So how much are fees going up by?

The exact amount that fees could increase is yet to be confirmed.

However, here’s an estimate.

Currently, universities in England can charge up to £9,535 per year for a standard full-time course.

Tuition fees are linked to the “RPIX measure of inflation”, which is 3.1%. (Sounds complex but it’s just another way the government measures how quickly the cost of goods and services rise!)

So in theory, this could add an extra £400 per year to tuition fees.

Taking the total course fee to just shy of £10,000.

Remember, this is just an estimate. Inflation is tricky to predict, as it can go up and down!

Who is affected?

The rules will affect new and existing undergraduate students in England.

That means if you’re already on an undergraduate course, you’ll pay more starting next year.

Once the legislation comes into force, fees will continue to rise each year after that.

What can you do?

Tuition fee rises can feel overwhelming, particularly when you’ve started your course.

However, there are some steps you can take to prepare for and manage your finances while studying.

1. Understand how student loans work

Your student loan repayments start when you earn over a certain salary after you leave your course.

The amount you pay depends on your repayment plan, which you can check by logging into your Student Finance account.

Getting an idea of what you’re likely to repay can help you better manage your finances once you leave university.

2. Apply for scholarships, bursaries and grants

Contact your university to find out if you’re eligible for financial support.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for additional money that you won’t have to pay back.

3. Claim your Child Trust Fund 

If you’re aged between 18-23, you could have a free pot of cash (called a Child Trust Fund) from the government waiting to be claimed.

An initial deposit of at least £250 was added to each account and the average unclaimed Child Trust Fund is worth over £2,240!

You can withdraw your money from the age of 18 and recover the account details using HMRC’s Child Trust Fund finder.

4. Consider using an ISA

ISAs allow you to save up to £20,000 each year without paying tax on the interest or profit you earn.

Cash ISAs are great for general saving and Stocks and Shares ISAs allow you to invest in the stock market.

5. Become a budgeting master

Budgeting is key to helping you cover your expenses while studying. You can download our free student budgeting planner to get started. There are also lots of budgeting apps available to help you manage your spending. Some banks offer budgeting tools in the banking app too.

6. Make use of discounts and cashback

As the old saying goes “every little helps!” Make the most of your student discounts by registering on free platforms like Unidays and Student Beans. Some regular and student bank accounts offer cashback, which allows you to earn money while you spend.

A thought from Investing Insiders

Brean Horne, personal finance expert at Investing Insiders, says: “Another rise in higher education fees amid the rising cost of living will undoubtedly spark concern over the affordability of higher education. 

Student loan debt in England is already approaching £270 billion for the 2024-25 academic year. 

The average student debt for borrowers who finished their course in 2024 was £53,000, according to the latest government estimates. 

Investing Insiders also reported on new research showing the number of graduates with more than £100k of student loan debt jumped by a third in 2025. 

While reintroducing maintenance grants for some students is a seemingly positive step but it won’t come into force until at least 2029. 

And even when it does, the benefits of this are likely to be outweighed by these increases to tuition fees, which affect students across the board. 

The rising cost of living and the ever-increasing debt burden on students is leaving many falling short of covering their essentials. 

More needs to be done to create an equitable model that empowers new and existing students to gain a high-quality education that truly sets them up for success.”