Is Postgraduate Loan repaid at the same rate when I live overseas?

Postgraduate Loan overseas repayments are calculated at 6% 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 Postgraduate Loan?

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 Postgraduate Loan 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 an undergraduate loan?

A Postgraduate Loan can be due at the same time as an undergraduate Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 4, or Plan 5 loan. Estimate each repayment separately and compare the combined result with SLC correspondence.

Postgraduate Loan Overseas Repayment

Work out how Postgraduate Loan repayments are calculated overseas, including the 6% repayment rate, overseas earnings thresholds, and combined repayments.

What counts for Postgraduate Loan overseas repayments?

Postgraduate Loans use a 6% repayment rate above the overseas threshold. If you also have an undergraduate loan, both repayments can apply at the same time.

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 Postgraduate Loan?

Postgraduate Loans are separate from undergraduate repayment plans. Graduates overseas can owe a Postgraduate Loan repayment at the same time as a Plan 1, 2, 4, or 5 repayment.

Repayment rate

Postgraduate Loans are repaid at 6% of income above the overseas threshold.

Overseas calculation notes

The Postgraduate Loan rate is 6% above the overseas threshold, not 9%.
If you have both undergraduate and postgraduate balances, calculate both and add the monthly estimates together.

Before calculating

Check whether your postgraduate balance is separate from your undergraduate loan.
Use the Postgraduate Loan threshold for your country, not the undergraduate threshold.
Compare combined repayments with SLC correspondence if you have multiple loan types.

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 Postgraduate Loan repaid at the same rate when I live overseas?: Postgraduate Loan overseas repayments are calculated at 6% 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 Postgraduate Loan?: 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 Postgraduate Loan 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 an undergraduate loan?: A Postgraduate Loan can be due at the same time as an undergraduate Plan 1, Plan 2, Plan 4, or Plan 5 loan. Estimate each repayment separately and compare the combined result with SLC correspondence.

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