Whichever university you choose to study at, when you apply for your government funding, the amount you’ll receive will depend on your household’s financial circumstances. You will undergo a household income assessment which will take into account the income of the parent or guardian you live with (plus the income of their co-habiting partner, if they have one) minus their pension contributions and a small deduction for any siblings you have. The assessment will also factor in whether you will be living at home while at University.
Working out your household contribution
The lower your household income, the higher the loan you will receive. If you don’t receive the full loan, the government expects your household to make up the difference. This is the government’s expectation of what support you will receive from the parent or guardian (and any partner) you’re living with. Our Cambridge Bursary (support provided directly by the University) will help to make up some of this shortfall. If you are from the lowest income backgrounds, your costs will be fully covered by your loan and Cambridge Bursary.
We’ve provided some information below which should help you work out how much the government will expect your household to contribute in 2024-25. If your household income is under £35,000, no contribution is required as the government loan and support from the Cambridge Bursary Scheme meet your suggested maintenance for 9 months living in Cambridge. Visit our Living Costs page for more details about how we calculate maintenance costs.
Household contributions in 2024-5
|
Household income |
Maintenance loan¹ |
Difference between maximum loan and loan received² |
Cambridge Bursary |
Residual household contribution³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
£25,000 |
£9,978 |
£0 |
£3,500 |
£0 - requirement fully met by loan and Cambridge Bursary |
|
£30,000 |
£9,265 |
£713 |
£3,050 |
£0 - requirement fully met by loan and Cambridge Bursary |
|
£35,000 |
£8,551 |
£1,427 |
£2,590 |
£0 - requirement fully met by loan and Cambridge Bursary |
|
£40,000 |
£7,838 |
£2,140 |
£2,140 |
£972 |
|
£45,000 |
£7,125 |
£2,853 |
£1,680 |
£2,145 |
|
£50,000 |
£6,412 |
£3,566 |
£1,220 |
£3,318 |
|
£55,000 |
£5,698 |
£4,280 |
£770 |
£4,482 |
|
£60,000 |
£4,985 |
£4,993 |
£310 |
£5,655 |
|
£65,000 |
£4,650 |
£5,328 |
£0 |
£6,300 |
Working while you study
The University takes the view that our students shouldn't undertake paid employment during term-time – it's important that you have an appropriate work-life balance, and we offer a wide range of financial support to help you manage the costs of university study. However, there may be a few opportunities available within the University and Colleges that are exceptions to this, such as working in the College bar, College library or as a student helper during open days.
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¹ 2023-24 loan figures for students applying to Student Finance England. Please note, the figures for 2024-5 were not available at the time of publishing (July 2023), but they are assumed to remain the same in 2024-5. Students receiving funding through Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland and the Student Awards Authority Scotland will receive different amounts and you should check with your funder.
² This is equivalent to the government's expected household contribution for students living away from home and outside London.
³ Based on the cost of living in Cambridge for 9 months (£10,950) and receipt of the Cambridge Bursary.