Best Student Loan Repayment Calculator (UK Edition)
Calculating how much you’ll actually repay on a student loan in the UK can be far more complex than simply checking your total debt. Repayments depend on income, repayment plan, and government policy not on how much you borrowed. If you’re looking for a reliable way to forecast your repayments, choosing the best student loan repayment calculator is essential.

In this article, we’ll compare some of the top UK-based student loan calculators, explain how they work, and recommend the best option for you in 2025. Spoiler: StudentLoanRepaymentCalculator.co.uk is our top pick for its accuracy, ease of use, and full loan plan support.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Great Student Loan Calculator?
Not all calculators are created equal. The best ones do more than just subtract a threshold they let you:
- Select your exact loan plan (Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 4, Plan 5, Postgraduate)
- Input your real salary, not just ranges
- Adjust for future income changes, inflation, and interest
- Support multiple loan types at once
- Display your repayment timeline, write-off year, and total paid
- Offer exportable data or visual charts
- Link directly to official sources like gov.uk
Top 5 Student Loan Repayment Calculators in the UK (2025)
We’ve tested and reviewed the leading calculators for UK graduates and undergraduates. Here are our top choices:
1. StudentLoanRepaymentCalculator.co.uk Best Overall
Why we recommend it:
- Supports all major UK loan plans: Plan 1, 2, 4, 5, and Postgraduate
- Allows you to input your salary, debt balance, course year, and income growth
- Calculates repayments year-by-year
- Accounts for interest, inflation, and salary growth assumptions
- Projects loan write-off date based on your plan
- Mobile-friendly and loads fast
Downsides:
- Lacks flashy graphics or animations (but the numbers are spot-on)
- Doesn’t save previous scenarios without browser settings
Verdict: Best for users who want a clear, data-backed estimate with minimal fuss.
2. StudentLoanCalculator.co.uk
A calculator focused on the economic real cost of your student loan. It allows you to adjust interest, salary growth, and even inflation.
Highlights:
- Advanced settings for economic projections
- Multiple loans supported (e.g., Plan 2 + Postgraduate)
- Clear distinction between “real” cost and “nominal” cost
Drawbacks:
- Not ideal for quick checks
- Assumes user knows about inflation adjustment
Best for: Financially savvy users or those exploring long-term repayment strategy.
3. MoneySavingExpert Loan Calculator
Martin Lewis’ site provides clear, concise advice and basic repayment estimations.
Strengths:
- Trusted brand in the UK finance space
- Clear explanation of repayment rules
- Links to useful guidance on early repayment
Limitations:
- No interactive tool — just guides and manual examples
- Doesn’t allow you to plug in your own salary or loan details
Best for: Learning the basics, not detailed planning.
4. Gov.uk Student Loan Repayment Estimator
This is the official UK government tool. It’s a reliable resource but limited in functionality.
Pros:
- Up-to-date with current government repayment thresholds
- Backed by the Student Loans Company
Cons:
- No personalisation (you select from set salary ranges)
- No advanced options like interest assumptions or salary growth
Best for: Quick, official estimates not planning complex scenarios.
5. Budgeting Tools (e.g. Lumio, Unizest)
These are general financial planning apps that sometimes include student loan estimators.
Advantages:
- Convenient if already using app for money tracking
- Connects to broader budgeting features
Disadvantages:
- Not built specifically for student loan calculations
- Lacks accuracy and loan plan support
Best for: Casual estimations while budgeting.
Feature Comparison Table
Tool | All Loan Plans | Salary Forecast | Write-off Year | Visuals | Accuracy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
StudentLoanRepaymentCalculator.co.uk | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Basic | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
StudentLoanCalculator.co.uk | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
MSE | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
STD | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ⭐⭐ |
Budgeting Tools | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ⭐⭐ |
FAQs About Student Loan Repayment Calculators
How do student loan repayment calculators work?
They take your loan type, salary, and course details, then calculate how much you will repay annually. The best calculators like StudentLoanRepaymentCalculator.co.uk factor in interest, inflation, and income changes.
Are online calculators accurate?
It depends. Simple ones use fixed salary bands and ignore interest. More advanced tools (like ours) model real repayment curves using current government data.
Can I use a calculator if I have more than one student loan?
Yes. The top tools support multiple plan combinations, splitting your repayment appropriately.
What’s the difference between Plan 2 and Plan 5?
Plan 5 is newer (2023+ England students) and has a lower threshold but longer repayment period (40 years). Plan 2 has a higher threshold but is written off after 30 years.
Is early repayment a good idea?
Only if you’re on track to repay the full balance before it’s written off. Otherwise, early repayment may not save money.
Final Thoughts: Which Calculator Should You Use?
If you want a fast, accurate, and flexible way to estimate your student loan repayments, there’s no better tool than StudentLoanRepaymentCalculator.co.uk. It supports all loan types, considers real financial conditions, and gives you a transparent look at your long-term obligations.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, postgraduate, or mid-career, understanding your repayment journey empowers you to take control of your finances.
Try it now: StudentLoanRepaymentCalculator.co.uk
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. Always consult an independent adviser or visit gov.uk for official guidance.