Short answer: in the UK, student loans are written off based on the repayment plan and the number of years since you were first due to repay (or age, depending on plan). The exact rule depends on which plan you’re under, and certain conditions can trigger earlier cancellation. Details by plan (England/Wales/Scotland where applicable)
- Plan 1 (started before 1 Sept 2012): typically written off 25 years after the April you first became due to repay, or when you turn 65—whichever comes first.
- Plan 2 (started on/after 1 Sept 2012): written off 30 years after the April you first became due to repay.
- Plan 4 (Scottish loans): written off at 65 if taken out before 2007; otherwise 30 years after the due date.
- Plan 5 (new England students from 2023): written off 40 years after the April you first became due to repay (longest period yet).
- Postgraduate loans: generally written off 30 years after the April you first became due to repay.
Other cancellation scenarios
- Death of borrower or death of a student on whose behalf the loan was taken: the remaining balance is discharged.
- Permanent disability or other specific circumstances may qualify for earlier cancellation under the rules.
- If earnings do not reach the repayment threshold, no payments are due, but the time-based cancellation still progresses from the first due date.
Important caveats
- Rules vary by country within the UK and by the exact plan you were placed on, so confirm which plan your loan falls under.
- Some plans have recent changes or transitional rules; if you started university recently, the 40-year write-off rule (Plan 5) is currently highlighted for new England entrants.
What to do next
- Check your official student loan plan and write-off timeline on the official government or loan servicer site for your country and plan.
- If there are special circumstances (death, disability, loss of eligibility), contact the loan administrator to understand whether early cancellation applies.
- Keep an eye on annual statements from the loan provider to track when the write-off or cancellation would occur under your specific plan.
If you’d like, share which country you studied in (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland) and which plan you think you’re on, and I can tailor the timeline precisely to your situation.
