Which student loan plan do I have?

Undergraduate plans (9% above threshold)

  • Plan 1 — Started an undergrad course before Sep 2012 (mainly England/Wales; some NI). Threshold ~£22,015.
  • Plan 2 — Undergrad started Sep 2012 to Aug 2023 (England/Wales). Threshold ~£27,295.
  • Plan 4 — Scottish undergrad. Threshold ~£27,660.
  • Plan 5 — England/Wales undergrad from Sep 2023 onwards. Threshold ~£25,000. Repayments begin from April 2026.

Postgraduate Loan (PGL) — Master’s/Doctoral loan. 6% above £21,000. You can have this as well as Plan 1/2/4/5 (HMRC collects both).

Not sure? Check your Repayment plan type by signing in to your student loan account, or use your course start date + country as a guide.

Note: student-loan interest affects your balance, not your payslip. PAYE deducts a fixed 9% (Plan 1/2/4/5) and/or 6% (Postgraduate) of earnings above the relevant thresholds.

What is HICBC (Child Benefit charge)?

The High Income Child Benefit Charge applies if either partner’s adjusted net income is over £50,000.

  • Charge tapers from £60k to £80k, then claws back all Child Benefit at £60k.
  • Adjusted net income subtracts salary sacrifice pension — so contributing more can reduce HICBC.

We use 2025/26 weekly rates: first child £25.60/wk, each additional child £16.95/wk. Annual Child Benefit = 52 × rates.

Note: HICBC is a charge, not taxable income. If another calculator doesn’t support HICBC, calculate it separately and subtract from net.

⚠️ Rates are indicative for 2025/26. Verify before relying on results.

Results

Gross salary
Pension (sacrifice)
Taxable pay
Income tax
National Insurance
Student loan
HICBC
Net take-home
Avg. deduction rate (excl. pension)
Net take-home rate (after pension)

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