Students in the UK are grappling with nearly £500 million in “hidden debts” owed to universities, a situation that adds a significant burden on top of their existing tuition and maintenance loans. Figures obtained through freedom of information requests to 148 universities reveal that 180,000 students and graduates collectively owe an average of around £2,650 each in unpaid accommodation fees, library fines, and support loans. This mounting private debt reflects the ongoing financial pressures many students face amid the worsening cost of living crisis on campuses nationwide.

The scale of this additional debt is substantial. Among the 77 universities that provided detailed figures, Scottish institutions feature prominently. For example, the University of the West of Scotland’s students owe nearly £29 million, while debts at the University of Strathclyde total almost £23 million. Both universities are situated in Glasgow, where students have seen sharp rent hikes in recent years. English universities are also affected severely, with Sunderland students owing over £24 million, Canterbury Christ Church University’s past and present students £22 million, and Queen Mary University of London’s nearly £20 million. Other large sums are reported at the University of Kent—where more than 11,000 students owe a total of £21 million—Southampton Solent, and the University of Wolverhampton.

Tim Schwarz of Vanquis, the Bradford-based bank that submitted the freedom of information requests, said the data exposes a “hidden and growing layer of debt” beyond the standard tuition and maintenance loans, which already average over £53,000. Schwarz highlighted that these private debts can be less flexible than government-backed loans, often having shorter repayment windows and no minimum income thresholds, compounding financial strain for students transitioning into full-time work. According to Schwarz, unpaid debts can also tarnish graduates’ credit scores, further hindering their financial futures.

The growing problem of hidden university debts comes alongside broader concerns about the affordability of higher education in the UK. Universities UK, which represents university vice-chancellors, acknowledged that loans for maintenance have not kept pace with rising living costs, contributing to financial hardship for many students. They emphasised that universities provide scholarships, bursaries, and hardship support, but urged the government to ensure maintenance loans better reflect the real cost of living, to support students more effectively in the long term.

Rising living expenses are a significant factor pushing students into additional debt and even causing some to drop out or interrupt their studies. A survey by the Higher Education Policy Institute earlier this year found that 68% of students undertook paid work during term time—a 12 percentage point increase since 2024—underscoring the financial pressures on this demographic. The Office for Students, England’s university regulator, noted universities have autonomous processes for recovering debts and stressed that while unpaid debts alone do not threaten institutions’ financial sustainability, efforts to recover these debts should be handled sensitively.

The issue of student debt in the UK extends beyond these hidden costs. Reports from organisations like the Sutton Trust reveal that graduates from English universities often leave with higher overall debts than their counterparts in countries such as the US, Canada, and Australia. Under the £9,000 tuition fee regime, UK graduates accumulate an average debt exceeding £44,000, significantly surpassing the typical US graduate debt of £20,500 to £29,000, depending on the institution. This comparison highlights the growing financial burden on UK students as tuition fees and living costs rise.

Historically, universities have struggled with unpaid fees from both domestic and international students. For example, certain universities in the West Midlands and Staffordshire have dealt with millions of pounds in outstanding fees from students hailing from over 67 countries, some debts dating back more than a decade. The ongoing challenges in fee recovery illustrate the broader systemic financial difficulties faced by higher education institutions and their students.

As the hidden debts accumulate alongside already substantial tuition and maintenance loans, the financial future of many UK students and graduates appears increasingly precarious. Unless maintenance support improves and measures are taken to address the root causes of this debt, students may continue to face considerable pressure that could hinder their academic progress and post-graduation financial stability.

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Source: Noah Wire Services