UK / Pillar
Student loans on payslips
UK student loans are deducted at 9% (Plans 1, 2, 4 and 5) or 6% (Postgraduate Loan) of earnings above the plan threshold.
Educational guidance only. Not affiliated with HMRC. Not regulated tax, legal, financial, payroll or employment advice.
Plan thresholds (annualised, 2026/27)
- Plan 1 — pre-Sept 2012 (E&W) and NI: 9% above £24,990.
- Plan 2 — Sept 2012+ (E&W): 9% above £27,295.
- Plan 4 — Scotland: 9% above £31,395.
- Plan 5 — Sept 2023+ (England): 9% above £25,000.
- Postgraduate Loan — 6% above £21,000.
Quick answer — wrong plan?
The most common student loan error is the wrong plan being applied — usually because HMRC defaulted to Plan 1 when payroll started without a P45.
Related
Educational guidance only. PayslipIQ provides an educational second opinion based on the figures you supply and the public 2026/27 UK PAYE, NI, pension and student-loan rules. Verify any final figure with your payroll team, HMRC, your pension provider or a qualified professional before acting.
See our methodology, Trust Centre and AI limitations.