Overview
- Undergraduate caps will track forecast inflation in 2026/27 and 2027/28, affecting current and new students starting next academic year.
- Universities can currently charge up to £9,535, with government forecasts pointing to an increase of just over £400 when the new cap takes effect.
- Ministers will seek legislation to enable automatic annual uprating after 2027/28 only for providers that meet new Office for Students quality thresholds.
- Maintenance loans will be indexed each year, with targeted maintenance grants returning for some courses, as part of efforts to support students’ cost of living.
- The White Paper expands regulation and system reform, giving the OfS powers on recruitment limits and franchising controls, introducing the Lifelong Learning Entitlement and new V-levels, consulting on degree break points, and setting a goal for two-thirds of young people to reach higher-level learning by age 25.