University For You
What our free services include:
About us
Need One Ltd is a consultancy firm assisting anyone who would like to get their higher education in England. The company has successfully operated in the industry for years, which has allowed us to grow into several departments. We provide our services in Bulgarian, Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian, Lithuanian, Italian, Turkish and English from our central London office. Due to the pandemic we have adapted to the changing lifestyle and as a result we are proud to say that since 2020 our communication with clients is done entirely online - saving our prospective students time and resources. Of course, for anyone who prefers face-to-face communication, we are always happy to arrange consultations and meetings in our physical office. As a professional intermediary company, we will help you to apply to a partner university or college in England as quickly and easily as possible. Our services are completely free and you can rest assured that your application will be submitted on time to the educational institution of your choice. We will help you fill out and collect all documents you need to take this very important step in life - quality education.
We will support you from the moment you decide to apply, up until your Student Finance application is approved.
What our services do NOT include:
Undergraduate (Bachelor’s)
An undergraduate level of study means you will be a student, pursuing your first degree. The most common type of an undergraduate degree is a Bachelor’s degree, though universities offer lots of different undergraduate level courses and pathways.
Bachelor’s degrees
A Bachelor’s degree is a Level 6 course and is studied for 3 years (each year of study represents one level). Each course has its specific prefix, explaining the type of Bachelor’s degree you will obtain. These include:
Sometimes, these degrees include an initial year of foundation-level study to help you develop the tools you need to progress into your degree, which are normally titled as degrees ‘with foundation year’. The same are equivalent to Level 3 and are becoming more popular in the British Higher Educational System.
Foundation degrees
These courses stand at Level 5 and are equivalent to completing two years of a three-year degree. They are titled as Foundation Degree in Arts (Fda) and Foundation Degree in Science (FdSc).
Top-up degrees
Top-ups are Level 6 Bachelors degrees that turn qualifications like foundation degrees or Higher National Certificates into full degrees. The duration of a Top-up degree is 1 year.
Higher National Diploma
Higher National Diplomas are Level 5 courses equivalent to two years of a degree.
Postgraduate (Master’s)
A postgraduate degree is a qualification that is completed after an undergraduate degree. All postgraduate degrees allow you to continue your studies in a specialised subject, and mostly require an undergraduate degree in order to be considered for entry. Some universities accept applications of candidates with Secondary Education qualification and extensive managerial work experience. Postgraduate degrees are studied for different reasons, such as to move into academia and research (access to PHd level) or specialise in a career path. Some people choose to complete a postgraduate degree to change study or career paths entirely. Below, we will explain what is a Master’s degree, which is offered by most of our university partners.
Master’s degree
A Master’s degree is one of the most popular postgraduate courses completed after an undergraduate degree. These forms of postgraduate degree include:
In the UK, most Master’s courses are a year in length.
University application process
What documents are required?
Our partners
Our university partners are established and recognized educational bodies, with excellent study programmes and qualified staff.
They offer several intakes throughout the calendar year:
Possible class schedules
The regular form of study (Full-time) in England is organized in 12 taught study hours per week. These 12 hours could be divided between:
Depending on your location, you can choose one of the following cities, in which our partners have campuses:
The most common form of class schedule is 2 weekdays. We will be happy to help you find a suitable class schedule and suggest the most relevant higher education institutions according to your requirements. As mentioned above, some of the degrees can be studied in the evening and/or at the weekend, so that you can comfortably combine your work, raising a child or any other personal commitment with your education.
Student Finance England
Student Finance England (SFE) provides financial support to eligible students to help them access higher education in England. Depending on your course, nationality, residency status and personal circumstances, you may be eligible for support with tuition fees and/or living costs while studying. Eligibility is assessed individually by Student Finance England. The information below provides a general overview and should not be considered a guarantee that you will qualify for funding or receive a particular amount.
Who may be eligible?
Depending on their circumstances, student finance may be available to:
Eligibility depends on a number of factors, including:
* nationality * immigration or residence status * where you have lived and for how long * your course and university or college * previous study * your age and other personal circumstances
BRP holders
Having a particular immigration status does not automatically mean that you qualify for all types of student finance. Students should check the relevant Student Finance England guidance for their individual circumstances before applying.
Undergraduate Student Finance
For eligible full-time undergraduate students starting a course in the 2026/27 academic year, the main types of support are a Tuition Fee Loan and, where applicable, a Maintenance Loan. Tuition Fee Loan A Tuition Fee Loan can help cover the tuition fees charged by your university or college. For an eligible full-time undergraduate course starting in the 2026/27 academic year, the maximum Tuition Fee Loan is: Up to £9,790 per academic year. The Tuition Fee Loan is paid directly to the university or college rather than to the student. The amount available depends on the course and the applicable student finance rules. Your university or college determines the tuition fee charged for your course.
Maintenance Loan
A Maintenance Loan is designed to help eligible students with living costs while studying. This may include costs such as: * accommodation * food * travel * household expenses * other everyday costs associated with studying For eligible full-time undergraduate students in 2026/27, the maximum Maintenance Loan depends on where you live while studying: * Up to £9,118 if living with your parents * Up to £10,830 if living away from your parents outside London * Up to £14,135 if living away from your parents and studying in London The amount you receive may be lower than the maximum. For many students, the amount of Maintenance Loan available is assessed using household income and other relevant circumstances. Some students may qualify for different or additional support depending on their circumstances. The Maintenance Loan is normally paid directly into the student’s bank account at the beginning of each term. A Maintenance Loan is a loan and must normally be repaid in accordance with the applicable repayment rules.
Distance learning
Students studying by distance learning normally cannot receive a Maintenance Loan. An exception may apply where a student cannot attend the course in person because of a disability. If you are considering an online or distance-learning course, check with the university or college and Student Finance England whether the course qualifies for the type of support you need.
Residency and immigration status
Your nationality, immigration status and residence history can affect both your eligibility and the type of student finance available to you. For example, some students may qualify for both Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan support, while others may qualify for Tuition Fee Loan support only.
Pre-settled status
Having pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme does not automatically mean that you qualify for a Maintenance Loan. Depending on your nationality, residence history and other circumstances, you may qualify for Tuition Fee Loan support only or for additional student finance support. Students should check the specific eligibility category that applies to them rather than relying on their immigration status alone.
Residence requirements
For many student finance categories, you must normally have lived in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for a specified period before the start of your course. For many categories, this includes a requirement for 3 years of continuous residence before the relevant date. However, the exact residence requirement depends on the student’s nationality, immigration or residence status and other circumstances. Students should not rely on general statements such as: * “You only need to work for 3 months.” * “You need 3 years anywhere in Europe.” * “Having settled or pre-settled status automatically gives you full funding.” These statements do not apply universally. Student Finance England assesses each application according to the eligibility category that applies to the individual student.
Immigration documents and eVisas
Student Finance England may ask you to provide evidence of your identity, nationality, immigration status or residence. The UK has moved to digital immigration status and eVisas for many immigration categories, so a physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) should not be presented as a general requirement for all students. Students should provide the documents, share codes or other evidence requested by Student Finance England for their individual application.
Repaying an undergraduate student loan
Student loans are different from ordinary commercial loans. Repayment is normally linked to your income rather than to a fixed monthly payment. The repayment rules depend on the repayment plan that applies to your loan. Plan 2 For Plan 2 undergraduate loans, from 6 April 2026 the repayment threshold is: * £29,385 per year * £2,448.75 per month * £565.09 per week You repay 9% of income above the applicable threshold. For example, if your monthly income is £2,500: £2,500 − £2,448.75 = £ % of £51.25 = approximately £4.61 If your income is below the applicable repayment threshold, you do not make a repayment for that period. Not all undergraduate students are on Plan 2. Students starting undergraduate courses from 1 August 2023 may be on Plan 5, which has different repayment rules. For Plan 5, the repayment threshold for the 2026/27 tax year is £25,000 per year, and repayments are 9% of income above that threshold. Students should check which repayment plan applies to their individual circumstances.
Interest on student loans
Student loan interest is not simply a fixed commercial interest rate. For Plan 2 loans, interest is linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) and can vary according to the applicable rules and the borrower’s circumstances. While studying, Plan 2 interest is normally RPI plus 3%. After leaving or finishing the course, the applicable interest rate depends on income and the current government rules. Students should check the latest official GOV.UK information rather than relying on a fixed interest rate quoted in promotional material. What happens if you move abroad? If you move outside the UK after or during your studies, you remain responsible for keeping the Student Loans Company informed of relevant changes to your circumstances. If you are required to make repayments while living abroad, different repayment thresholds may apply depending on the country where you live. Students living overseas should check the current overseas repayment rules and thresholds that apply to their circumstances. When is an undergraduate loan written off? The cancellation period depends on the repayment plan. For Plan 2, any remaining loan balance is normally cancelled 30 years after the April when you first became due to repay. For Plan 5, the cancellation period is normally 40 years after the April when you first became due to repay. The rules can change, and students should check the terms that apply to their individual loan.
Postgraduate Master’s Loan
Students starting an eligible Master’s degree course in the 2026/27 academic year may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan of: Up to £13,206 for the whole course. The amount is not based on your income or your family’s income. The Postgraduate Master’s Loan is paid directly to the student. It can be used towards the overall costs of studying, including: * course fees * living costs * other costs associated with studying The student is responsible for managing the loan and making arrangements to pay their university or college tuition fees. Unlike an undergraduate Tuition Fee Loan, the Postgraduate Master’s Loan is not paid directly to the university or college. If your Master’s course lasts for more than one academic year, the total loan is normally divided equally across the academic years. Payments are normally made in three instalments during each academic year: * 33% * 33% * 34% The first payment is made after the course starts and after the university or college confirms that you have registered. The exact payment dates are provided by Student Finance England. Repaying a Postgraduate Master’s Loan Postgraduate Master’s Loans have different repayment rules from undergraduate loans. From April 2026, the repayment threshold is: * £21,000 per year * £1,750 per month * approximately £403.84 per week You repay 6% of your income above the applicable threshold. For example, if your monthly income is £2,500: £2,500 − £1,750 = £750 6% of £750 = £45 repayment for that month If your income falls below the threshold, repayments stop and normally resume when your income rises above the threshold again. If you have both an undergraduate student loan and a postgraduate loan, you may have repayments on both at the same time, subject to the relevant repayment rules. A Postgraduate Master’s Loan is normally cancelled 30 years after the April when you first became due to repay, subject to the applicable rules. Important: Student Finance is changing from January 2027 For eligible courses starting on or after 1 January 2027, the student finance system changes. Many eligible courses will be funded through the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). The new system can apply to eligible courses and modules at Levels 4 to 6 and some Level 7 courses. Under the LLE system, eligibility and funding can depend on factors including: * the course * number of credits studied * university, college or training provider * previous study * nationality and residency status * age * other individual circumstances The new system may provide access to: * Tuition Fee Loans * Maintenance Loans * certain additional grants or allowances Maintenance Loan availability under the LLE system also has specific conditions, including requirements relating to attending the course in person. Students starting an eligible course from 1 January 2027 should check the new LLE rules rather than relying on information that applies to courses starting before that date. Applications for eligible LLE funding can be made from September 2026. Choosing to study Choosing to study is an important personal and financial decision. Student Finance is designed to help eligible students access higher education without having to pay the full cost of their studies upfront. The decision to study should be based primarily on your: * academic interests * career goals * chosen subject and course * long-term plans * personal circumstances Financial support can make higher education more accessible, but it is important to understand the terms of any loan or other funding before applying. Student Finance England makes the final decision on eligibility and the amount of funding available. Need One can provide general information about courses and student finance, but we do not make Student Finance England eligibility decisions and cannot guarantee that an individual student will receive funding. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, students should check the official Student Finance England guidance on GOV.UK before making an application.
Official information and sources
For the latest eligibility requirements, funding amounts and repayment rules, please refer to the official GOV.UK guidance: * Student Finance England — GOV.UK * Student finance for new full-time undergraduate students — GOV.UK * Student finance for Master’s degrees — GOV.UK * Student finance and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement — GOV.UK * Student loan repayment guidance — GOV.UK Important: Student Finance rules, eligibility requirements, repayment thresholds and funding amounts can change. The information on this page is provided for general guidance only and should not be treated as financial, legal or immigration advice. Student Finance England is responsible for assessing individual applications and determining eligibility and funding. Students should always check the latest official GOV.UK guidance before applying.