9 Best Maintenance Loan for International Students in UK: (Instant Funding)

As an international student in the UK, securing a maintenance loan is a vital part of managing living expenses, including accommodation, food, transportation, and other daily costs.

Unfortunately, UK government maintenance loans are not typically available to international students, but there are several private loan options that can help fill this gap.

In this article, we’ll explore the 9 best maintenance loans for international students in the UK, including loan amounts, interest rates, terms, and eligibility requirements.

Best Maintenance Loan for International Students in the UK

Loan Provider	Loan Amount	Co-signer Requirement	Interest Rates	Loan Terms	Eligibility Requirements
Prodigy Finance	Up to £100,000	No	7.99% – 13.99%	5 – 15 years	Postgraduate students from eligible countries
Future Finance	£2,000 – £40,000	No	4.9% – 12%	5 – 10 years	International students at UK universities
MPOWER Financing	$2,001 – $50,000	No	9.99% – 13.99%	10 years	Students from select countries enrolled in UK institutions
Lendwise	Up to £40,000	No	6.0% – 8.0%	5 – 10 years	Postgraduate students in UK universities
Bank of Ireland International Loan	Up to £25,000	Yes	6.0% – 9.0%	5 – 10 years	UK-based co-signer required
College Ave Student Loans	$5,000 – $80,000	No	5.99% – 12.99%	5 – 15 years	Enrolled in eligible UK institutions
Barclays International Loan	Up to £35,000	Yes	6.1% – 7.5%	5 – 10 years	UK co-signer required for international students
Stafford Loan	Up to $20,500	No	5.28% – 6.28%	5 – 10 years	US students studying abroad, including the UK
Santander International Loan	Up to £30,000	Yes	7.5% – 9.0%	5 – 10 years	UK-based co-signer required, for international students

1. Prodigy Finance

• Loan Amount: Up to £100,000
• Interest Rates: 7.99% – 13.99%
• Loan Terms: 5 – 15 years

Prodigy Finance offers loans up to £100,000 for international postgraduate students in the UK.

Interest rates range from 7.99% to 13.99%, and loan terms are flexible, ranging from 5 to 15 years.

This loan provider does not require a co-signer, making it ideal for international students who may not have access to a UK-based guarantor.

2. Future Finance

• Loan Amount: £2,000 – £40,000
• Interest Rates: 4.9% – 12%
• Loan Terms: 5 – 10 years

Future Finance offers maintenance loans from £2,000 to £40,000, with competitive interest rates between 4.9% and 12%.

Loan terms can extend up to 10 years, and no co-signer is required.

This makes it an attractive option for international students who do not have access to a UK-based co-signer.

3. MPOWER Financing

• Loan Amount: $2,001 – $50,000
• Interest Rates: 9.99% – 13.99%
• Loan Terms: 10 years

MPOWER Financing offers loans from $2,001 to $50,000 with interest rates ranging from 9.99% to 13.99%.

With a loan term of 10 years, MPOWER Financing does not require a co-signer, which is beneficial for international students who may not have access to a UK-based guarantor.

This option is open to students from select countries.

4. Lendwise

Loan Amount: Up to £40,000

• Interest Rates: 6.0% – 8.0%
• Loan Terms: 5 – 10 years

Lendwise provides loans up to £40,000 for international students in the UK, with interest rates between 6.0% and 8.0%.

Loan terms can be spread out from 5 to 10 years. Importantly, no co-signer is required for this loan, which makes it accessible to international students who are studying at UK universities.

5. Bank of Ireland International Loan

• Loan Amount: Up to £25,000
• Interest Rates: 6.0% – 9.0%
• Loan Terms: 5 – 10 years

Bank of Ireland offers loans up to £25,000 with interest rates ranging from 6.0% to 9.0%. Loan terms are generally 5 to 10 years.

However, this loan requires a UK-based co-signer, which may limit access for international students who do not have a UK guarantor.

6. College Ave Student Loans

• Loan Amount: $5,000 – $80,000
• Interest Rates: 5.99% – 12.99%
• Loan Terms: 5 – 15 years

College Ave offers loans ranging from $5,000 to $80,000, with interest rates between 5.99% and 12.99%.

The loan terms are flexible, ranging from 5 to 15 years.

College Ave does not require a co-signer, making it a great option for international students who are studying at eligible UK institutions.

7. Barclays International Loan

• Loan Amount: Up to £35,000
• Interest Rates: 6.1% – 7.5%
• Loan Terms: 5 – 10 years

Barclays offers loans up to £35,000, with interest rates between 6.1% and 7.5%.

Loan terms typically range from 5 to 10 years.

However, international students applying for Barclays loans must have a UK-based co-signer, which can be a barrier for some.

8. Stafford Loan

• Loan Amount: Up to $20,500
• Interest Rates: 5.28% – 6.28%
• Loan Terms: 5 – 10 years

The Stafford Loan is available for US students studying abroad, including in the UK.

Loan amounts range from $2,000 to $20,500, and interest rates are between 5.28% and 6.28%.

The loan terms are flexible, typically between 5 and 10 years. No co-signer is required for US students applying for this loan.

9. Santander International Loan

• Loan Amount: Up to £30,000
• Interest Rates: 7.5% – 9.0%
• Loan Terms: 5 – 10 years

Santander offers loans of up to £30,000 with interest rates between 7.5% and 9.0%. Loan terms range from 5 to 10 years.

However, a UK-based co-signer is required, which may limit the options for international students without a UK-based guarantor.

Quick One: We have other useful loan articles here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Securing a maintenance loan is crucial for international students in the UK to cover living expenses while studying.

With a variety of options available, it’s important to carefully compare interest rates, loan amounts, and terms to find the best loan that fits your needs.

By leveraging private loan providers such as Prodigy Finance, Future Finance, and College Ave, international students can ensure they have the financial support they need to succeed academically and personally in the UK.