The Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

• Citation: S.I. 2025/263
• Sections: 3

Section 1 Citation, commencement and extent

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.

(2) These Regulations come into force on 6th March 2025.

(3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales.

Section 2 Amendments to the Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) Regulations 2018

(1) The Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) Regulations 2018 are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 3 (interpretation)—

(a) the existing text becomes paragraph (1);

(b) in paragraph (1), as so renumbered, at the appropriate place insert—

“ CAH3 code ” means a Common Aggregated Hierarchy 3 code associated with a subject, as referred to in version 1.3.4 of the Higher Education Classification of Subjects coding system ;

“ foundation year ” means a period of study that—

is of one academic year’s duration if undertaken full time, or equivalent to that duration if undertaken part-time,

is integrated with an undergraduate course at the start of that undergraduate course, and may be enrolled for at the same time as enrolling for that undergraduate course,

is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge that are needed for progressing to an undergraduate course,

a student must complete successfully in order to progress to the first year of an undergraduate course,

may result in the student being awarded a qualification that is separate from the qualification awarded as a result of completing the undergraduate course to which the student progresses, and

may, where contractual arrangements are in place, be undertaken at an institution (which may or may not be a registered higher education provider) that is different from the provider to which the student applied and with which the student has enrolled for the undergraduate course;

(c) after paragraph (1), as so renumbered, insert—

(2) A foundation year is a “lower-fee foundation year” if more than 50% of the CAH3 codes associated with the subjects studied as part of the foundation year (for student loan purposes) are listed in the Schedule.

(3) In regulation 4 (higher, basic and floor amounts: general), in paragraph (1)(a), for “7” substitute “7A” .

(4) In regulation 5 (higher and floor amounts, general)—

(a) in the heading, after “1st August 2019” insert “or 1st August 2025” ;

(b) the existing text becomes paragraph (1);

(c) in paragraph (1), as so renumbered, after “11A” insert “, where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025” ;

(d) after paragraph (1), as so renumbered, insert—

(2) Except as otherwise provided in regulations 6, 6B, 7, 7A and 11, where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025—

(a) the higher amount is £9,535;

(b) the floor amount in respect of that higher amount is £9,275.

(5) In regulation 6 (higher and floor amounts for specified cases)—

(a) in the heading, after “1st August 2019” insert “or 1st August 2025” ;

(b) in paragraph (1)(a), for “£4,625” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £4,625;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £4,765

(c) in paragraph (1)(b), for “£4,500” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £4,500;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £4,635

(d) in the opening words of paragraph (2), for “amount” both times it occurs, substitute “amounts” ;

(e) in paragraph (3)(a), for “£1,850” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,850;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,905

(f) in paragraph (3)(b), for “£1,800” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,800;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,855

(g) in paragraph (4)(a), for “£1,385” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,385;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,430

(h) in paragraph (4)(b), for “£1,350” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,350;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,390

(i) in the opening words of paragraph (5), for “amount” both times it occurs, substitute “amounts” ;

(j) in paragraph (6)(a), for “£1,385” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,385;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,430

(k) in paragraph (6)(b), for “£1,350” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,350;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,390

(6) After regulation 6A insert—

Higher and floor amounts for full-time lower-fee foundation years from 1st August 2025

(6B) In respect of a lower-fee foundation year that begins on or after 1st August 2025—

(a) the higher amount is £5,760;

(b) the floor amount in respect of that higher amount is £5,605.

(7) In regulation 7 (higher and floor amounts for part-time courses)—

(a) in the heading, after “1st August 2019” insert “or 1st August 2025” ;

(b) the existing text becomes paragraph (1);

(c) in paragraph (1), as so renumbered, at the end of the opening words, insert “where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025” ;

(d) after paragraph (1), as so renumbered, insert—

(2) For any part-time course where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, with the exception of any part of that course to which regulation 7A applies—

(a) the higher amount is £7,145;

(b) the floor amount in respect of that higher amount is £6,955.

(8) After regulation 7 insert—

Higher and floor amounts for part-time lower-fee foundation years from 1st August 2025

(7A) For a lower-fee foundation year that is undertaken part-time and begins on or after 1st August 2025—

(a) the higher amount is £4,315;

(b) the floor amount in respect of that higher amount is £4,200.

(9) In regulation 8 (basic and floor amounts)—

(a) in the heading, after “1st August 2019” insert “or 1st August 2025” ;

(b) the existing text becomes paragraph (1);

(c) in the opening words of paragraph (1), as so renumbered, for “9 to 11A” substitute “9, 9A, 10, 11 and 11A, where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025” ;

(d) after paragraph (1), as so renumbered, insert—

(2) Except as otherwise provided in regulations 9, 9B, 10, 10A and 11, where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025—

(a) the basic amount is £6,355;

(b) the floor amount in respect of that basic amount is £6,185.

(10) In regulation 9 (basic and floor amounts for specified cases from 1st August 2019)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(a), for “£3,080” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £3,080”;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £3,175

(b) in paragraph (1)(b), for “£3,000” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £3,000;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £3,090

(c) in the opening words of paragraph (2), for “amount” both times it occurs substitute “amounts” ;

(d) in paragraph (3)(a), for “£1,230” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,230;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,270

(e) in paragraph (3)(b), for “£1,200” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,200;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,235

(f) in paragraph (4)(a), for “£920” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £920;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £950

(g) in paragraph (4)(b), for “£900” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £900;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £925

(h) in the opening words of paragraph (5), for “amount” both times it occurs substitute “amounts” ;

(i) in paragraph (6)(a), for “£920” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £920;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £950

(j) in paragraph (6)(b), for “£900” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £900;

(ii) where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, £925

(11) After regulation 9A insert—

Basic and floor amounts for full-time lower-fee foundation years from 1st August 2025

(9B) In respect of a lower-fee foundation year that begins on or after 1st August 2025—

(a) the basic amount is £3,835;

(b) the floor amount in respect of that basic amount is £3,735.

(12) In regulation 10 (basic and floor amounts for part-time courses)—

(a) in the heading, after “1st August 2019” insert “or 1st August 2025” ;

(b) the existing text becomes paragraph (1);

(c) in the opening words of paragraph (1), as so renumbered, at the end insert “where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025” ;

(d) after paragraph (1), as so renumbered, insert—

(2) For any part-time course where the academic year begins on or after 1st August 2025, with the exception of any part of that course to which regulation 10A applies—

(a) the basic amount is £4,765;

(b) the floor amount in respect of that basic amount is £4,635.

(13) After regulation 10 insert—

Basic and floor amounts for part-time lower-fee foundation years from 1st August 2025

(10A) For a lower-fee foundation year that is undertaken part-time and begins on or after 1st August 2025—

(a) the basic amount is £2,875;

(b) the floor amount in respect of that basic amount is £2,800.

(14) At the end insert the Schedule set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.

Section 3 Amendments to the Higher Education (Fee Limits for Accelerated Courses) (England) Regulations 2019

(1) The Higher Education (Fee Limits for Accelerated Courses) (England) Regulations 2019 are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 5 (higher and floor amounts: general)—

(a) the existing text becomes paragraph (1);

(b) in paragraph (1), as so renumbered, after “6A” insert “, where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025” ;

(c) after paragraph (1), as so renumbered, insert—

(2) Except as otherwise provided in regulation 6, where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025—

(a) the higher amount is £11,440;

(b) the floor amount in respect of that higher amount is £11,130.

(3) In regulation 6 (higher and floor amounts for specified cases)—

(a) in the opening words of paragraph (1), for “amount” both times it occurs, substitute “amounts” ;

(b) in paragraph (2)(a), for “£2,220” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £2,220;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £2,285

(c) in paragraph (2)(b), for “£2,160” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £2,160;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £2,225

(d) in paragraph (3)(a), for “£1,660” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,660;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,715

(e) in paragraph (3)(b), for “£1,620” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,620;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,665

(f) in the opening words of paragraph (4), for “amount” both times it occurs, substitute “amounts” ;

(g) in paragraph (5)(a), for “£1,660” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,660;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,715

(h) in paragraph (5)(b), for “£1,620” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,620;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,665

(4) In regulation 7 (basic and floor amounts: general)—

(a) the existing text becomes paragraph (1);

(b) in paragraph (1), as so renumbered, after “8A” insert “, where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025” ;

(c) after paragraph (1), as so renumbered, insert—

(2) Except as otherwise provided in regulation 8, where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025—

(a) the basic amount is £7,625;

(b) the floor amount in respect of that basic amount is £7,420.

(5) In regulation 8 (basic and floor amounts for specified cases)—

(a) in the opening words of paragraph (1), for “amount” both times it occurs, substitute “amounts” ;

(b) in paragraph (2)(a), for “£1,475” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,475;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,525

(c) in paragraph (2)(b), for “£1,440” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,440;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,480

(d) in paragraph (3)(a), for “£1,105” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,105;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,140

(e) in paragraph (3)(b), for “£1,080” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,080;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,110

(f) in the opening words of paragraph (4), for “amount” both times it occurs, substitute “amounts” ;

(g) in paragraph (5)(a), for “£1,105” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,105;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,140

(h) in paragraph (5)(b), for “£1,080” substitute—

—

(i) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2019, but before 1st August 2025, £1,080;

(ii) where the academic year of the course begins on or after 1st August 2025, £1,110