How to qualify for UK undergraduate and postgraduate student loans for Aston University Online

Before you start your degree, make sure you know how to fund it. If you live in the UK, you may be eligible for a government-backed student loan to help pay your tuition, even if you study part-time or online.

In this guide, you’ll learn who qualifies for undergraduate and postgraduate loans through student finance in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, how these apply to Aston University Online programmes, and where to find official support before you apply.

Understanding student loans in the UK

Government student loans are provided to make higher education accessible. They allow you to study now and begin repayments later, once you earn above a set income threshold.

There are two main types of loans available:

• Undergraduate loans, which cover tuition fees for approved bachelor’s degrees. These funds are paid directly to Aston University.
• Postgraduate loans, available for master’s and doctoral programmes. These funds are paid to you, the student, rather than to the university. You are then responsible for paying your tuition fees to Aston.

Postgraduate loans are issued in six instalments over the academic year. This means there may be months when you need to cover payments yourself until your next loan instalment is received. Postgraduate students must also pay a £1,000 deposit before starting their studies.

Each UK nation manages its own student finance system:

• Student finance England 
• Student finance Wales
• Student finance Northern Ireland

Funding rules can differ depending on where you normally live before your programme begins, so always check your regional authority’s website for the latest information.

Applying for an undergraduate loan

If you plan to study an undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Law LLB (Hons), you may be eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan. Your eligibility depends on your programme, your residency, and your personal circumstances.

Students using Student Finance England (SFE) have their tuition fees paid directly to Aston University.

If you are self-funding your undergraduate studies and not using Student Finance or other external funding, you will need to pay a £1,000 deposit to secure your place. This amount is credited toward your tuition fees when you enrol.

Your programme and university

Aston University Online is an approved UK higher education provider. You can apply if you’re studying full-time or part-time, as long as your part-time programme represents at least 25% of a full-time study load.

Your residency and nationality

You must normally live in the UK and meet certain residency or citizenship requirements. You can typically apply if:

• You’re a UK national or have settled status.
• You have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
• You hold another recognised status, such as refugee or humanitarian protection.

Previous study

If you already hold a qualification at the same level, you may not be eligible for another undergraduate loan. The student finance body for your region will confirm your individual circumstances, so it’s worth checking before applying.

Online and part-time study

If you study online with Aston, you can usually apply for a Tuition Fee Loan through student finance in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, as long as you meet residency and programme criteria. If you live in Scotland, government loans through Aston University Online are not currently available.

Applying for a postgraduate loan

If you’re continuing your studies at a master’s or doctoral level, you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan to help with tuition or study-related costs. Any remaining balance for postgraduate programmes can be paid in monthly instalments.

Master’s loan

You can apply for a Master’s loan if you’re studying an eligible master’s degree with a recognised UK university. You’ll need to meet similar residency and age requirements to those for undergraduate funding. 

At Aston University Online, programmes such as the Master of Business Administration MBA (Online), Master of Science in Business Analytics MSc (Online), and MSc Psychology (Conversion) meet the academic requirements for government-backed postgraduate loans.

Doctoral loan

You can also apply for a Doctoral loan if you’re beginning a doctoral-level qualification. The same eligibility principles apply, which means your programme must be approved, and you’ll need to meet residency and age requirements. The full tuition fee will not be covered; however, you may check our current available loan options.

Aston University’s Executive DBA (Online) is an eligible doctoral programme for most UK-based students, but it’s always best to confirm your eligibility with your regional student finance body.

For postgraduate study, your loan is paid directly to you, and you then pay your tuition to the university.

If you are unsure about your eligibility or want to talk through your funding options, you can book a call with our Student Advisors for personalised guidance and support.

Regional differences to be aware of

As mentioned, while the process is similar across the UK, each region has its own student finance system. 

The key differences usually relate to loan amounts, repayment thresholds, and any additional grant funding that may be available.

Students living in Scotland receive support through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), which follows a separate funding structure. However, SAAS funding is not available for Aston University Online programmes.

Because these rules and figures are reviewed each academic year, always confirm the latest details with your region’s student finance body before you apply.

How repayments work

You’ll start repaying your student loan only once you earn above the income threshold set for your loan type and region. Repayments are automatically deducted from your salary through the UK tax system.

If your income falls below the threshold, your repayments will pause automatically.

You can find up-to-date information on repayment thresholds, plans, and interest rates on each individual site.

Checklist: How to apply

Applying for student finance is straightforward, but it’s best to prepare early.

Before you apply:

• Confirm your student finance application number with your Advisor. 
• Confirm that your programme and university are eligible.
• Check your residency and nationality status.
• Gather identification and proof of address documents.

When you apply:

• Apply online through your regional student finance website.
• Submit any supporting evidence as soon as it’s requested.

After you apply:

• Wait for your confirmation letter and payment schedule.
• Remember: for undergraduate programmes, your loan is paid directly to Aston; for postgraduate programmes, it’s paid to you.
• Applying early helps ensure your funding is in place before your programme starts.

Common mistakes to avoid

To keep your application on track, watch out for these common pitfalls:

• Waiting too long to apply, as applications can take several weeks to process.
• Assuming all online programmes qualify automatically. Always check your programme’s eligibility first.

Funding and discounts at Aston University Online

In addition to government-backed loans, we offer a range of options to help you manage your tuition costs:

• Flexible payment plans allow you to spread tuition payments through monthly instalments for the duration of your programme.
• A £1,000 deposit is required for all postgraduate students (except those sponsored by their employer) and for undergraduate students who are self-funding. This deposit confirms your place and is applied toward your tuition fees.
• A 20% alumni discount is available to Aston University graduates.
• A 5% early deposit discount applies if you accept your offer and pay your deposit within five days.
• Merit-based scholarships are available for self-funded students who demonstrate strong academic or professional achievement.
• A 5% upfront payment discount is available if you choose to pay your full tuition before your programme begins.

Your tuition fees also include essential resources such as digital library access, online learning materials, and software, with no hidden costs.

You may also be able to access support through your employer. Many professionals use employer sponsorship to fund part or all of their tuition. View our guide on how to approach your employer for a sponsorship.

You can learn more on our Aston Online Fees and Funding page.

Where to get help

For advice on eligibility or applying for student finance, contact a Student Advisor. They will guide you through each stage of the process.

You can also contact your regional student finance authority directly for official criteria and advice. Understanding your options early helps you make informed decisions and start your studies with confidence.

Ready to apply?

Explore your options on our Aston Online Fees and Funding page, or check your eligibility through your region’s student finance site (Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales or Student Finance Northern Ireland). With the right funding in place, you can focus on building your skills, advancing your career, and achieving your goals with us.

Important note: Information in this article is correct at the time of publication (October 2025). Student finance rules and loan amounts are reviewed annually. Please check the official student finance websites for the latest details before applying.