Martin Lewis debunks university tuition fee myth for 'most' students

Martin Lewis has revealed rising tuition fees won’t impact the amount most people pay each year. The BBC Sounds podcast host, who is an ITV regular, has moved to debunk "misunderstandings" around the student loan system after the Labour Party government's decision.

Money Saving Expert explained: "The current £9,250 cap on tuition fees has been frozen since the 2017/18 academic year. But tuition fees will rise by 3.1% in 2025/26 in line with a prediction for the RPIX measure of inflation for the middle of that academic year.

"According to the Government, increasing tuition fees will help to "ensure the financial stability of the university sector"." It added in a blog post on its website yesterday: "The amount tuition fees increase by WON'T impact the amount most people pay each year."

READ MORE Martin Lewis addresses university tuition fee hike and says 'to be really clear'

Before the announcement was officially made, Martin responded to the rumours on X (formerly Twitter) by busting four common student finance misunderstandings. Martin said: “The amount you repay each year (9% over the threshold) solely depends on what you earn, not on what you borrow.

"Increasing tuition fees will only see those who clear the loan in full over the 40 years pay more. That is generally mid-high to higher-earning university leavers only, so the cost of increasing tuition fees will generally be born by the more affluent.

"Most lower- and middle-earning university leavers will simply pay 9% extra tax above the threshold for 40 years (and higher tuition fees won't change that)." Mr Lewis said: "Thankfully, maintenance loans to rise with inflation (3.1%). It won't catch up the many substantially lower than inflation rises in previous years, but it's better than nowt."

Tuition fees vary depending on where in the UK you're from and where in the UK you're studying. In Northern Ireland, you'll pay up to £4,750 a year if you already live there and you stay there to study. If you're from elsewhere in the UK, you'll pay up to £9,250 a year.