Is Plan 5 repaid at the same rate when I live overseas?

Plan 5 overseas repayments are calculated at 9% of income above the relevant overseas threshold. The rate is familiar, but the threshold is country-specific rather than the normal UK payroll threshold.

Which income figure should I use for Plan 5?

Use gross annual income before local tax, social insurance, pension deductions, or other payroll deductions. If your pay includes regular bonuses or allowances, include them in the annual figure.

Can I use the UK threshold for Plan 5 while abroad?

No. Overseas repayments use the Student Loans Company overseas threshold table for your country of residence and tax year, so the UK payroll threshold is not the right comparison point.

What if I also have a Postgraduate Loan?

A Postgraduate Loan is calculated separately at its own rate and threshold. If you have one, add that estimate to your undergraduate repayment estimate.

Plan 5 Overseas Student Loan Repayment

Understand Plan 5 overseas student loan repayments for UK graduates abroad, including the 9% repayment rate, country thresholds, and salary conversion.

What counts for Plan 5 overseas repayments?

Plan 5 is the newer undergraduate repayment plan for England and Wales. Overseas repayments still use 9% of converted income above the relevant country threshold.

The calculator supports the current published overseas threshold tables for 2026-27. Enter your country of residence and annual gross salary in local currency to estimate your monthly repayment.

Who usually uses Plan 5?

Plan 5 applies to newer English and Welsh undergraduate borrowers. Because Plan 5 is newer, checking the exact plan on your SLC account is especially important before estimating overseas payments.

Repayment rate

Plan 5 repayments are usually 9% of income above the overseas threshold.

Overseas calculation notes

Plan 5 has its own overseas threshold publication and should not be treated as Plan 2 with a different name.
The calculator applies 9% only to the amount of converted income above the Plan 5 overseas threshold.

Before calculating

Confirm that your course and account are on Plan 5.
Use the latest tax year available in the calculator.
Check whether you have any separate Postgraduate Loan balance.

Source note: repayment rates and overseas threshold handling are based on public GOV.UK and Student Loans Company guidance for supported tax years. This page was last reviewed on 8 May 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is Plan 5 repaid at the same rate when I live overseas?: Plan 5 overseas repayments are calculated at 9% of income above the relevant overseas threshold. The rate is familiar, but the threshold is country-specific rather than the normal UK payroll threshold.
Which income figure should I use for Plan 5?: Use gross annual income before local tax, social insurance, pension deductions, or other payroll deductions. If your pay includes regular bonuses or allowances, include them in the annual figure.
Can I use the UK threshold for Plan 5 while abroad?: No. Overseas repayments use the Student Loans Company overseas threshold table for your country of residence and tax year, so the UK payroll threshold is not the right comparison point.
What if I also have a Postgraduate Loan?: A Postgraduate Loan is calculated separately at its own rate and threshold. If you have one, add that estimate to your undergraduate repayment estimate.

Important caveats

This tool is an estimate. Official repayment notices can use different exchange rates, updated thresholds, or account-specific details. Always verify final amounts with the Student Loans Company.

Open calculator How the formula works