Important information on tuition fee increases and support available for students
On 4 November, the government announced that tuition fees for undergraduate home students will increase by £285, from £9,250 to £9,535 per year. This means there will be some important changes that will affect students at Manchester Met.
The University will increase its tuition fees in line with this rise, meaning both new and current undergraduate home students will pay the increased fees from September 2025 (subject to parliamentary approval). There will also be changes to tuition fees for Foundation Years. International students will be unaffected by these changes. Our online prospectus sets out the tuition fees and course costs for each course for 2025/26.
The government also announced that maintenance loans for English students* will increase from £10,227 to £10,544, for students outside of London. This increase is a vital and very welcome step towards supporting more students with the cost of living, which we know is a huge priority for many of you.
We understand that the increase in tuition fees will not seem like good news. A university education is a significant investment in your future. But we know that evidence shows that it enhances people’s prospects, both in work and life, and your earning potential increases with your learning.
At Manchester Met we are committed to providing you with the best education and an outstanding student experience. We are also proud of our role in supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to succeed in higher education, including many who are the first in their family to go to university. We support many students financially, with around £11 million provided annually last year.
Why are fees increasing?
For several years, tuition fees have been capped while the costs of delivering high-quality education have continued to rise with inflation. This gap has placed increasing pressure on universities across the sector, with many relying on tuition fees to fund essential resources, maintain facilities, and ensure financial stability. Earlier this year, the Office for Students, the higher education regulator, raised concerns about the financial challenges faced by some universities, with some requiring additional support to balance budgets.
The increase in tuition fees will help universities address these challenges, allowing continued investment in your learning experience, campus facilities, and support services.
Understanding the difference between tuition fees and maintenance loans
Undergraduate tuition fees cover the costs of studying an undergraduate course at Manchester Met. You only start repaying your student loan when you start earning more than £25,000 a year. More information is available about funding your studies.
Undergraduate student loans support you with your tuition fees and living costs at university. Maintenance loans are designed to help cover living costs, including your accommodation. Your eligibility for these loans - also called student finance - will depend on several things, including where you live, your personal circumstances and how you plan to study. More information is available about student loans and finance.
Understanding how student loans are repaid can be complicated. MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis has produced helpful information to explain the common student finance misunderstandings and the impact of the increase in tuition fees.
University support
We are here to support our students. We offer a range of financial assistance options and services to help students manage their finances, including bursaries, scholarships, and access to budgeting advice. For more information on the support available to you, please visit:
The Student Financial Support Team helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.15pm on 0161 247 1045.
* Maintenance Loans for Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish students are processed through a different system, and there has not yet been an announcement that loans for these students will be increased. For the most up to date information, please see Student Awards Agency Scotland, Student Finance Northern Ireland, and Student Finance Wales for more information.
