Do you get student finance for a foundation year?

Yes – in many cases, you can get student finance (tuition fee loan and maintenance loan) for a foundation year, as long as the foundation year is integrated into a recognised undergraduate course and you meet the standard eligibility criteria.

When is student finance available for a foundation year?

You’re typically eligible for student finance for a foundation year if:

• the foundation year is part of a full undergraduate degree course, rather than a standalone access or prep course.
• you apply through the correct course code when you first enrol, so that student finance recognises the degree as the extended (foundation + degree) programme.

Many UK universities confirm that students on foundation-year courses can receive a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan - just as for a regular degree.

How much funding could I get?

Under current rules in England (2026/27):

If your foundation year is a classroom-based subject (e.g. humanities, business, social sciences), the tuition fee loan cap is up to £5,760.

If your foundation year is in a more practical or lab-based subject (e.g. sciences, engineering, medicine-allied or creative arts), the maximum loan can rise up to £9,790.

You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan to help with living costs, depending on your household income, where you live while studying, and other eligibility criteria.

A few important things to check

The foundation year must be officially part of the degree programme you apply for - if it’s a separate “standalone” prep or conversion course, student finance may not apply.

If you already have previous higher-education funding (for example, you started or completed another degree), this may affect your entitlement.

Funding rules can depend on your home nation within the UK – make sure you apply through the correct student finance authority (e.g. England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) according to your residence.

What this means for you

For many students, doing an integrated foundation year means you don’t have to self-fund that extra “preparatory” year – you can treat it like the first year of an extended degree programme, with tuition and living costs supported by student finance.

Want to learn more?

Get full details about our courses with foundation years and more information on student finance. Or take a look at our undergraduate courses to find which degrees offer a foundation year option and how this might apply to you.

Have any questions about foundation years or student finance? Send us an enquiry.