Student loans · 2026/27 thresholds
Student loan repayments on £42,000
On Plan 2, that is £95 a month (£1,135 a year). Every plan compared below.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan 1 | £113 | £1,359 | £26,900 |
| Plan 2 | £95 | £1,135 | £29,385 |
| Plan 4 (Scotland) | £62 | £738 | £33,795 |
| Plan 5 | £128 | £1,530 | £25,000 |
| Postgraduate Loan | £105 | £1,260 | £21,000 |
Repayments are 9% of income above the threshold (6% postgraduate). A postgraduate loan stacks on top of a main plan.
Add a postgraduate loan on top, see write-off dates, or check the marginal cost of a pay rise:
Open the student loan calculatorCommon questions
- How much student loan do I repay on £42,000?
- It depends on your plan. On £42,000: Plan 1 £113 a month, Plan 2 £95 a month, Plan 4 (Scotland) £62 a month, Plan 5 £128 a month, Postgraduate Loan £105 a month. Repayments come out of your payslip automatically.
- Which plan am I on?
- Broadly: Plan 1 if you started before 2012 (England/Wales), Plan 2 for 2012 to 2022 starters in England and Wales, Plan 4 if you studied in Scotland, Plan 5 for English students starting from August 2023, and the Postgraduate Loan for master's or doctoral loans. Check your online student loan account if unsure.
- Why does my payslip show a different amount?
- Payroll applies the threshold per pay period, so months with bonuses or overtime repay more. The figures here assume £42,000 spread evenly across the year with no other income.
- Do repayments clear the loan?
- Only if the balance runs out before write-off: 30 years after the April you were first due to repay for Plan 2. Many people never clear it, which is why it behaves more like a payroll tax than a debt.
Nearby salaries
Wondering what the salary itself pays after tax? See £42,000 after tax.