Lifelong Learning Entitlement for adult learners
Student finance for adults returning to education, or wanting to retrain and upskill. A new flexible way to fund your continuing professional development (CPD).
*Started a university course before 1 January 2027? This doesn’t apply to you, keep using the SFE portal to reapply*
Because your learning pathway should be flexible, from 1 January 2027, student finance will be flexible too. The Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) is a new form of funding for university fees and living costs. It gives you more choice in how you learn by giving you a pot of funding you can access throughout your working life.
Who is it for?
People who live in England and have home student status under the age of 60. This applies to you if you’re looking to return to education, or want to upskill through a university module, in a flexible way that fits around your life. To qualify for LLE funding, you must study a minimum of 30 credits (for a module or bundle of modules). You don’t need to have studied at university before, but modules at BCU will have entry criteria (check the course pages for details). This page is aimed at mature students (21+) who may have used student finance in the past. It’s also for mature students who haven’t used any student finance. If you are a school or college leaver, you can find guidance tailored to you on this page.
How does the LLE work for adult learners or mature students?
You’ll have access to a pot of funding up until the age of 60, which you can track through an online portal. You can still choose to study a 3- or 4-year degree in one go, or build your skills step by step, module by module in a way that fits your life. If you’ve already accessed student finance in the past, you may still be eligible for some LLE funding. For example, if you studied a 3-year degree, you may have one year’s worth of funding remaining to use in a way that suits your current life and responsibilities.
How much funding can I get?
Everyone has the equivalent of four years of study to cover tuition fees (with some exceptions). You also may be able to get a maintenance loan to cover everyday living costs like accommodation, food, books and travel. But this will depend on whether you’re studying in person and the number of credits you’re studying. There will be a new digital calculator you can use to check how much funding you could get
£39,160* = 480 credits
Standard 3-year undergraduate degree post Sept 2012 = £29,370 (360 credits)
1 year of credits remaining = £9,790 (120 credits)
One 40 credit module = £3,263 (40 credits)
*Figures displayed are based on the 2026/27 academic year and are subject to change.
Flexible modular study options
The LLE means you can now fund your continuing professional development using student finance. You can choose to study an eligible module at registered universities in an area of interest to you. To qualify for funding the module, or bundle of modules, must be at least 30 credits minimum. BCU is offering two 40 credit modules starting in January 2027, that will fit around your life and responsibilities. You’ll be studying with other mature learners who also want to upskill or retrain.
How and when to apply
You can check your eligibility and apply for LLE from September 2026 for courses and modules starting in January or September 2027. There’s still time to apply for healthcare and social work courses starting in January 2027 if you already have level 3 results or equivalent work experience (A Level, BTEC, T Level, etc.). Find full-time undergraduate courses starting in January 2027 through Clearing.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) FAQs
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What courses and modules are eligible for LLE funding at BCU?
All of our undergraduate courses starting after 1 January 2027 are eligible to be funded by the LLE. So, if you’re a student in England (with home student status) applying to an undergraduate course in any subject or a postgraduate allied health professions course that starts in January, you need to apply using the LLE portal. Also, all students applying for our undergraduate courses starting in September 2027 and beyond.
We’re also offering two 40-credit modules aimed at adult learners starting in January 2027, see them at the links above.
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Can postgraduate courses be funded by the LLE?
For the majority of postgraduate courses (Level 7), no the LLE is not applicable. If you want to study a taught Master’s (MSc) or other postgraduate course, you’ll need to use the Student Finance England (SFE) application or self-fund.
Only courses in priority areas will be considered for the LLE, for example; Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). We will have guidance available on eligible postgraduate courses at BCU soon.
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Is the LLE still a loan and how does repayment work?
Yes, the LLE is a loan. It does have interest, but unlike traditional loans, you won’t pay anything back until you’re earning over the threshold. The threshold is £25,000 a year before tax. Once you’re earning enough to make repayments, they’ll be taken from your payslip like a tax. Repayments for the LLE will follow the rules of Plan 5 student loans. If you already have a student loan from previous studies, you won’t have to make separate repayments. Your repayments will be combined by the Student Loans Company and you’ll continue to pay 9% of any earnings over the threshold.
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Does this replace Student Finance England (SFE)?
Yes, for all Home students applying to start an undergraduate course or module after 1 January 2027, the LLE replaces SFE. If you are currently a student (e.g. year 1, year 2) who applied for SFE, you need to keep reapplying through that process (see guidance for continuing students here). A lot of the information and guidance you find online or on social media will be about the old SFE process. Refer to official Government guidance wherever you can. We will also be creating a guide to help you understand the new process and what you might be eligible for.
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What if I've used all of my entitlement?
If you already have a degree, you may qualify for extra funding called Priority Additional Entitlement (PAE). This is an extra pot available to help adult learners retrain in key skills. For example; nursing, social work or teaching.
Started university before 2012?
If you started studying at university before September 2012, how much of the “pot” you’re entitled to will work differently. Your entitlement to the LLE will be worked out by how many years of study you completed, rather than how much they cost (or didn’t cost!) at the time of study. Check government guidance to find out exactly how much funding you could still get.
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