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Guidance

Lifelong learning entitlement (LLE): overview

Find out what the LLE is and how this new post-18 student-finance system will work for courses and modules starting from January 2027.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Education
Published:
19 September 2023
Last updated:
24 September 2026
Show all updates

  1. Application date has changed from September 2026 to late October 2026 and information about allied health professional subjects has been added.

  2. Updated the section on secondary legislation and added links to the 'Lifelong learning entitlement (LLE): guidance for providers'.

  3. Added links to lifelong learning entitlement modular funding: expression of interest, LLE communication assets for education providers and Skills for Careers. Clarified details on postgraduate level courses eligible for LLE funding and courses eligible for advanced learner loan funding.

  4. Information added on the launch of the lifelong learning entitlement (LLE) – maintenance loans will be paid to students in up to 3 instalments, broadly in line with existing arrangements.

  5. Added more detail and examples to the 'Repeat study' section to clarify how funding eligibility works.

  6. Updated to reflect that a list of level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications approved through the LLE process is available. We have also published details of the providers approved for lifelong learning entitlement modular funding, along with information about the standardised transcripts providers must make available on completion of each module. There is also additional information about secondary legislation we're introducing to implement the lifelong learning entitlement fee limit and funding system.

  7. Updated the information on: fee limits figures and examples to reflect 2026 to 2027 academic year, the residual entitlement calculation and the EOI process. Added additional information on Disability Students Allowance and the modular acceleration programme.

  8. Updated the 'Maintenance loans and grants' section of the 'Lifelong learning entitlement: what it is and how it will work' document.

  9. Added information on the minimum number of credits that learners need to qualify for tuition fee and maintenance loans and information about the LLE qualifications gateway.

  10. We have updated the guidance on the priority additional entitlement in the ‘How funding will work’ section. Our update adds detail on the support available to students who choose medicine or dentistry as a second degree.

  11. Updated to clarify that the lifelong learning entitlement will replace Advanced Learner Loans for qualifications at levels 4 to 6.

  12. Updated to reflect changes on eligibility, courses and modules, funding, and approval.

  13. Updated with minor clarifications, including definitions for foundation years and foundation degrees, and examples of module bundles.

  14. Updated 'Why we need the LLE' section to clarify existing policy.

  15. We have updated the 'Next steps' section to give providers more information on upcoming policy announcements.

  16. Update to 'Lifelong Learning Entitlement overview' to reflect changes in tuition fees from academic year 2025 to 2026.

  17. Updated 'Lifelong Learning Entitlement overview' to reflect the launch of the LLE in the 2026 to 2027 academic year.

  18. Added a link to guidance for higher education providers on tuition fees for foundation years in the 'Courses included under the LLE' section.

  19. Updated 'Lifelong Learning Entitlement overview' to reflect the phased delivery of the LLE in the 2025 to 2026 academic year.

  20. Updated the date for the IfATE consultation end date to 8 April 2024 due to an extension.

  21. Removed out-of-date content relating to autumn 2023 in the 'Next steps' section of the 'Lifelong Learning Entitlement overview'.

  22. Added information about the qualification gateway, which is an approval process for LLE-funded qualifications, and advanced learner loan funding at providers not registered with OfS.

  23. Updated to allow more time for introducing the Office for Students' third registration category.

  24. 'Lifelong Learning Entitlement overview' updated to reflect changes to fee limits and residual entitlement.

  25. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Lifelong learning entitlement: what it is and how it will work

HTML

Details

Information for the public about the LLE, including:

  • what the LLE is
  • how the funding will work
  • who is eligible
  • which courses we will include
  • how learners can repay their LLE
  • how we will regulate the LLE
  • how we will support the sector
  • what the next steps are

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