BBC Finds 12 English Universities Used Below-Average Loan Examples as DfE Reviews Guidance
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Nov 6
BBC Finds 12 English Universities Used Below-Average Loan Examples as DfE Reviews Guidance
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Nov 6
Summary
A BBC review of more than 110 university websites found 12 in England used only below-average salary examples for student loan repayments, while some also listed wrong repayment thresholds or write-off periods.
Plan 5 borrowers repay 9% of earnings above £25,000 for up to 40 years, meaning monthly payments rise sharply with income—from £37.50 at a £30,000 salary to £562.50 at £100,000.
Dame Meg Hillier called some examples misleading, including a comparison to the cost of a daily coffee, and said the Department for Education should add higher-earner examples to its own website.
The DfE said it would review its guidance, and several universities updated or said they would review their websites after being contacted by the BBC.
The findings add to wider scrutiny of student loan disclosure in England after Hillier's earlier inquiry said official information failed to show how salary progression increases repayments.