Students attending university in Northern Ireland will soon see an increase in their maintenance loans, a move intended to alleviate the financial burdens many face. Annual tuition fees in Northern Ireland currently stand at £4,750, significantly lower than the £9,250 charged elsewhere in the UK. However, the Department for the Economy has considered increasing these fees to generate additional income. Meanwhile, the majority of students rely on two loans: one for tuition fees and a maintenance loan for living costs.
In 2022, then-Economy Minister Gordon Lyons increased the maintenance loan by 40%. Current Economy Minister Conor Murphy has now decided to further increase the loan by 20%, effective September 2025. This decision comes as a response to the "real financial challenge" faced by students, with many struggling to make ends meet.
The maintenance loan increase means students living at home will see their borrowing limit rise from £5,250 to £6,300, while those living away from home will see an increase from £6,776 to £8,132. Students in London can expect to receive up to £11,391. Additionally, those from less well-off backgrounds in Northern Ireland can access a separate maintenance grant of up to £3,475.
Aidan Lonergan, a student at Queen's University Belfast (QUB), expressed his support for the increase.
"It is tough getting by on what we have, and I think that'll be really helpful for next year because prices will probably go up again." – Aidan Lonergan
This sentiment is shared by many students who find themselves juggling multiple jobs alongside their studies. Conor Murphy acknowledged the pressures facing students.
"Clearly if people have to work multiple jobs to carry out their studies, that puts enormous pressure on young people, and studying at university should be an enjoyable experience." – Conor Murphy
Murphy emphasized that the current approach to student financing has been a longstanding practice.
"That's the way student financing has been operating for a number of years now," – Conor Murphy
Despite the financial constraints, he affirmed a commitment to exploring alternative solutions if resources allow.
"If we had the resources to do something different about that, we would certainly do something different." – Conor Murphy
The proposed changes are expected to cost the Department for the Economy approximately £50 million. This comes amidst an already substantial student loan debt in Northern Ireland, which exceeds £5 billion.
