Several universities in England have been providing incomplete and potentially misleading information regarding student loan repayments on their websites, a BBC investigation has revealed.

Student loan repayment schemes are directly tied to earnings, with graduates typically earning more over their careers. For Plan 5 loans, common for students in England, repayments are calculated at 9% of earnings above £25,000, with a repayment period of 40 years or until the loan is fully repaid. This structure means higher earners will repay significantly more over time.

The BBC's review of over 110 university websites found that a significant number omitted crucial details. Specifically, 12 universities presented repayment examples based solely on salaries below the UK average of £39,039. Some examples were compared to trivial daily expenses, such as the cost of a coffee.

Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury Committee, who recently led an inquiry into student loans, criticized the information as misleading. She emphasized the need for the Department for Education (DfE) to include examples reflecting higher earning potentials on its own official website, not just lower-end scenarios.

Universities stated that their websites reference government information and pledged to review their content where necessary. The DfE acknowledged the findings and indicated it would review the repayment information it provides to students. The University of Gloucestershire, for instance, had previously stated a £26,000 salary would result in a £7.47 monthly repayment. Northumbria University and the University of Huddersfield provided examples of £75 monthly repayments based on a £35,000 salary, with Northumbria initially comparing this to the cost of a daily coffee, a comparison since removed.

This omission is particularly concerning for students like Megan Russon, a 21-year-old tax accountant. With a starting salary of £29,000, her initial repayments are around £30 per month. However, she anticipates her salary will rise to £50,000 within three years, at which point her monthly repayments will increase to approximately £187. Russon noted that university open days often presented repayment examples based on lower salary ranges, suggesting repayments would be minimal and easily manageable.

The DfE's own website also falls short, offering examples for other loan plans only up to an earning of £38,400 and lacking any real-world repayment scenarios for Plan 5 students with higher incomes. For context, a £30,000 salary results in a £37.50 monthly repayment, while a £100,000 salary leads to a £562.50 monthly repayment.

The lack of comprehensive examples could lead prospective and current students to underestimate the long-term financial commitment of their student loans, especially if they anticipate significant career progression and salary increases.