Maximum loan amounts for advanced learner loans designated qualifications 2025 to 2026
Published 23 April 2025
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2025
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Introduction
The Secretary of State, acting through the Department for Education (DfE) approves the qualifications eligible for funding with advanced learner loans (loans). An approved qualification is one that has been through the DfE nomination process and meets the criteria detailed in the current funding qualifications manual. From 1 August 2025, reformed level 3 technical qualifications and alternative academic qualifications have been approved for loans.
This document describes the methodology for establishing maximum loan amounts for approved loans qualifications. It confirms what the maximum loan amounts are for all approved loans qualifications, where learners start these qualifications in the funding year; between 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026 (inclusive). These maximum loan amounts will not change throughout the funding year and will apply for the full duration of an approved loans qualification, including if it extends into funding year 2026 to 2027 or beyond.
Understanding the terminology
The term 바카라 사이트˜we바카라 사이트™ refers to the Department for Education. When we refer to 바카라 사이트˜you바카라 사이트™ or 바카라 사이트˜providers바카라 사이트™, this includes colleges, higher education (HE) institutions, training organisations, local authorities and employers that receive funding from us to deliver education and training.
Establishing the maximum loan amount
There is a single set of maximum loan amounts for all approved loans qualifications, no matter how you deliver these qualifications. ÌýÌýÌýÌý
We use a 바카라 사이트˜matrix바카라 사이트™ (table) to set maximum loan amounts. The matrix contains 2 criteria to decide the appropriate amount for each qualification:Ìý
- the type of qualification or the size of the qualification in guided learning hours (GLH)
- the programme weighting for the qualification
We have the following exceptions, where we set the maximum loan amounts as a matter of policy:Ìý
- GCE AS-levels
- GCE A-levels
- Access to HE Diplomas
- 5 specialist Dance and Drama Diplomas
Size and type of the qualification
We use °¿´Ú±ç³Ü²¹±ô바카라 사이트™s (RRQ) to define the size of the qualifications by their GLH, or if this is not available, the minimum GLH.Ìý
We have maintained the same maximum loan amounts for qualifications that we designated for loans in 2024 to 2025.
The minimum loan amount is £300.
Programme weightings Ìý
Programme weightings recognise the relative costs of providing training in different sectors and subjects and are included within maximum loan amounts.Ìý
To set programme weightings, we refer to the sector subject area (SSA) categories. We have also set a limited number of exceptions. The awarding organisation decides the SSA for all qualifications as part of the regulation process. For further information, please refer to and the website.Ìý
The matrix
The 바카라 사이트˜matrix바카라 사이트™ in tables 1 and 2 show the maximum loan amounts for designated qualifications in 2025 to 2026.
The 바카라 사이트˜qualification size바카라 사이트™ column in table 1 is for some qualifications that we set a maximum loan amount for in 2015 to 2016 and are still available in 2025 to 2026. It is for information only. We have not used it for setting maximum loan amounts for new qualifications since 2016 to 2017.ÌýÌý
Table 1:Ìý Maximum loan amounts based on GLHÌý
| GLH/TQT size | Qualification size (in credits only)* | Maximum loan amount according to programme weighting: A - Base | Maximum loan amount according to programme weighting: B - Low | Maximum loan amount according to programme weighting: C - Medium | Maximum loan amount according to programme weighting: D -ÌýHigh | Maximum loan amount according to programme weighting: E -ÌýSpecialist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 to 68 | 6 to 8 | £300 | £336 | £390 | £480 | £516 |
| 69 to 92 | 9 to 11 | £450 | £504 | £585 | £720 | £774 |
| 93 to 100 | 12 | £600 | £672 | £780 | £960 | £1,032 |
| 101 to 196 | 13 to 24 | £724 | £811 | £941 | £1,159 | £1,246 |
| 197 to 292 | 25 to 36 | £1,265 | £1,417 | £1,645 | £2,025 | £2,176 |
| 293 to 388 | 37 to 48 | £1,987 | £2,225 | £2,583 | £3,179 | £3,417 |
| 389 to 580 | 49 to 72 | £2,573 | £2,882 | £3,345 | £4,117 | £4,425 |
| 581 to 1060 | 73 to 132 | £4,170 | £4,670 | £5,421 | £6,671 | £7,172 |
| 1061 or more | 133 or more | £6,602 | £7,395 | £8,583 | £10,564 | £11,356 |
*Some qualifications have their maximum loan amount based upon their credit value
Table 2:Ìý Maximum loan amounts based on the type of qualificationÌý
| Type of qualification | Maximum loan amount according to programme weighting: A - Base | Maximum loan amount according to programme weighting: B - Low | Maximum loan amount according to programme weighting: C - Medium | Maximum loan amount according to programme weighting: D -ÌýHigh | Maximum loan amount according to programme weighting: E -ÌýSpecialist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCE AS-level | £724 | £811 | £941 | £1,159 | - |
| GCE A-level | £1,987 | £2,225 | £2,583 | £3,179 | - |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | £3,022 | £3,384 | £3,928 | £4,835 | £5,197 |
The first 3 bands in table 1, for qualifications under 150 GLH, are only for qualifications designated at level 4 or above. The other GLH bandings are the same as in the funding years 2015 to 2016 to this current year.
The columns represent programme weighting category, associated with SSAs.ÌýÌý
Five dance and drama diplomas (2 at level 5 and 3 at level 6) have bespoke maximum loan amounts, which are set out in table 3.Ìý
Table 3: Maximum loan amounts for specialist Dance and Drama Diplomas
| Learning aim reference | Qualification | Maximum loan amount |
|---|---|---|
| 60009457 | Diploma in Professional Acting | £7,395 |
| 60009470 | Diploma in Professional Dance | £14,790 |
| 60009482 | Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre | £22,185 |
| 60009731 | Diploma in Professional Dance | £22,185 |
| 60009743 | Diploma in Professional Acting | £22,185 |
Sector subject areas by programme weighting categories
Table 4: Sector subject areas
| Sector subject area code and description | Programme weighting |
|---|---|
| 1 Health, public services and care | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 1.1 Medicine and dentistry | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 1.2 Nursing and subjects and vocations allied to medicine | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 1.3 Health and social care | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 1.4 Public services | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 1.5 Child development and well being | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 2 Science and mathematics | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 2.1 Science | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 2.2 Mathematics and statistics | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 3 Agriculture, horticulture and animal care | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 3.1 Agriculture | E 바카라 사이트“ Specialist |
| 3.2 Horticulture and forestry | E 바카라 사이트“ Specialist |
| 3.3 Animal care and veterinary science | E 바카라 사이트“ Specialist |
| 3.4 Environmental conservation | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 4 Engineering and manufacturing technologies | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 4.1 Engineering | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 4.2 Manufacturing technologies | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 4.3 Transportation operations and maintenance | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 5 Construction, planning and the built environment | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 5.1 Architecture | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 5.2 Building and construction | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 5.3 Urban, rural and regional planning | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 6 Information and communication technology | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 6.1 ICT practitioners | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 6.2 ICT for users | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 7 Retail and commercial enterprise | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 7.1 Retailing and wholesaling | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 7.2 Warehousing and distribution | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 7.3 Service enterprises | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 7.4 Hospitality and catering | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 8 Leisure, travel and tourism | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 8.1 Sport, leisure and recreation | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 8.2 Travel and tourism | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 9 Arts, media and publishing | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 9.1 Performing arts | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 9.2 Crafts, creative arts and design | C 바카라 사이트“ Medium |
| 9.3 Media and communication | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 9.4 Publishing and information services | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 10 History, philosophy and theology | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 10.1 History | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 10.2 Archaeology and archaeological sciences | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 10.3 Philosophy | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 10.4 Theology and religious studies | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 11 Social sciences | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 11.1 Geography | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 11.2 Sociology and social policy | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 11.3 Politics | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 11.4 Economics | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 11.5 Anthropology | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 12 Languages, literature and culture | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 12.1 Languages, literature and culture of the British Isles | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 12.2 Other languages, literature and culture | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 12.3 Linguistics | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 13 Education and training | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 13.1 Teaching and lecturing | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 13.2 Direct learning support | B 바카라 사이트“ Low |
| 14 Preparation for life and work | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 14.1 Foundations for learning and life | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 14.2 Preparation for work | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 15 Business, administration and law | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 15.1 Accounting and finance | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 15.2 Administration | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 15.3 Business management | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 15.4 Marketing and sales | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
| 15.5 Law and legal services | A 바카라 사이트“ Base |
Note
The following is a list of exceptions to SSAs and programme weightings shown above:Ìý
- Waste management and recycling in SSA 1.4 weighted at B 바카라 사이트“ Low
- Hair and beauty in SSA 7.3 weighted at C 바카라 사이트“ Medium
- Music technology in SSA 9.1 weighted at D 바카라 사이트“ High
- Music practitioners in SSA 9.1 weighted at E 바카라 사이트“ Specialist
Glossary of terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Designated Qualification | A qualification that our approval process has designated as in-scope for loans. |
| Guided learning hours (GLH) | The activity of a learner in being taught or instructed by 바카라 사이트“ or otherwise participating in education or training under the immediate guidance or supervision of 바카라 사이트“ a lecturer, supervisor, tutor or other appropriate provider of education or training. For these purposes the activity of 바카라 사이트˜participating in education or training바카라 사이트™ shall be treated as including the activity of being assessed if the assessment takes place under the immediate guidance or supervision of a lecturer, supervisor, tutor or other appropriate provider of education or training. This is detailed in °¿´Ú±ç³Ü²¹±ô바카라 사이트™s Handbook Ìý(October 2017). |
| Ofqual | The Office of Qualifications and Examination Regulation. |
| Learning Aim Reference | The unique number allocated for all learning aims by us set out in the first column in table 3, corresponding to the qualification in the second column. |
| Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) | The independent body entrusted with monitoring, and advising on, standards and quality in UK higher education. The QAA is responsible for the recognition scheme, which is the regulatory framework through which Access to HE courses are regulated and recognised. |
| Programme weighting | The letter from A to E and descriptor set out in the second column of table 4, which corresponds to the sector subject area in the first column of that table, subject to the exceptions set out after the table. |
| Regulated qualifications | Qualifications that an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation offer are part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). |
| Specialist Dance and Drama Diploma | The qualifications set out in the second column of table 3. |
| Total Qualification Time (TQT) | Is the number of notional hours which represents an estimate of the total amount of time that could reasonably be expected to be required, in order for a learner to achieve and demonstrate the achievement of the level of attainment necessary for the award of a qualification. |