Every year, the government announces its Autumn Budget – a big financial update that outlines how it plans to spend the country’s money. From changes to tax and benefits to funding for public services, it gives us a snapshot of where priorities lie. And while it might sound like something only economists care about, the decisions made here can directly affect students, from the cost of living to educational support and beyond.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s been announced, what it means for you, and what we’re doing about it.
Tuition Fees Are Rising
Let’s start with the big one. From 2026, some universities, including Exeter, will be allowed to raise tuition fees if they have a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) award and an access and participation plan. That means fees could go up to:
- £9,790 in 2026-27
- £10,050 in 2027-28
- Over £10,000 and climbing in the years after
These increases won’t just apply to new students, either; they could apply to current students, depending on your contract.
Maintenance Loans Going Up (Sort of)
Maintenance loans will increase with inflation, but it’s unclear how much this will actually help with rising costs. Even with this adjustment, most students will still face significantly higher debt by 2030.
A New Maintenance Grant
There’s a new grant on the table for students from lower-income households, but it’s limited:
- Students from households earning under £30,000
- Only those studying "priority subjects" (not yet confirmed)
If your household earns:
- Under £25,000 you'll receive £1,000 in years 1 & 2, £750 in year 3
- Under £30,000 you'll receive £500 in years 1 & 2, £375 in year 3
While any extra support is welcome, the amount is small, and it’s still unclear which courses will be included.
International Student Fee Levy Introduced
A new levy means universities now have to pay the government £924 for every international student they enrol. This fee replaces the previously proposed 6% levy.
At Exeter, international students make up around 22% of our student community. According to Wonkhe, this could reduce Exeter’s international fee income by about 2%.
Our concern? There’s a real risk this cost could be passed on to international students, something we’re actively challenging.
Plus, with the government expecting a drop of up to 16,000 international students by 2030, this could have a lasting impact on our campus community and course provision.
Repayments Are Frozen
The thresholds for repaying your student loan are staying the same:
- £29,385 for undergraduates (2012–2023 starters)
- £21,000 for postgraduates
As wages rise over time, more students will hit these thresholds sooner, meaning repayments will kick in earlier. For postgraduate loans, this could mean students on the minimum wage start repaying sooner.
Support for Student Care Leavers
A positive change: if you’re a care leaver, you’ll now get the full maintenance loan without being means-tested - no matter your age or when you went into care. That’s a big step towards more equitable support.
Freezes on Support for Vulnerable Students
Some grants and allowances are being frozen, meaning they won’t increase with inflation.
- Childcare Grant & Adult Dependants Grant – no increase, despite rising costs
- Adult Dependents Grant - no longer available for students with dependants overseas
- Disabled Students' Allowance - also frozen, adding more pressure on disabled students already struggling to access support
-
These freezes risk leaving the most vulnerable students worse off, especially as living costs continue to rise. It could also put increased childcare costs on any students with young children, especially those who are expected to attend on-campus sessions or lectures and may have to pay for day care or support.
Rent changes
Changes to how landlords are taxed are expected to reduce the number of rental properties, which could push up rent prices.
Even though students are gaining more rights as renters next year, any increase in rent, alongside rising fees and limited grant support, could make the cost of living crisis even tougher to manage.
What We're Doing About It
We know these changes are worrying. That’s why your elected Officers are:
- Working with National Union of Students (NUS) and Russell Group SU networks to challenge the international student levy.
- Keeping pressure on the University to make sure rising costs aren't passed on to students.
- Monitoring how fee rises and low repayments will affect you and fighting for a fairer student finance system.
Have thoughts? Worried about how this might affect you? We’re here to listen, support and speak up for you. You can contact your Full-Time Officers at fulltimeofficers@exeterguild.com or book a confidential 1-1 meeting with our supportive advisors at exeterguild.com/find-support.