Do You Pay Student Loan on a Part-Time Job?

If your only income is a part-time job paying below the repayment threshold, you won't make any student loan repayments. Repayments are based on annual earnings over £25,000 on Plan 5, and most part-time work falls below that.

Last reviewed: 30 May 2026 · 2 min read

Key Facts

No repayments below £25,000 a year on Plan 5
Repayments are worked out per pay period, not just annually
Earning above the weekly/monthly threshold briefly can trigger deductions

When part-time work triggers repayments

Repayments only start once you earn above your threshold. On Plan 5 that's £25,000 a year, which works out at about £2,083 a month or £480 a week. Most part-time and term-time jobs pay well below this, so you won't repay anything.

The catch is that repayments are calculated per pay period. If you have a bumper month — say lots of overtime over Christmas — and cross the monthly threshold, a deduction can be taken even if your annual total stays low.

How to get money back if you overpay

If deductions were taken in a high-earning month but your total income for the year ends up below the threshold, you've overpaid. You can reclaim this from the Student Loans Company after the tax year ends.

It's worth checking your payslips and your annual income. Plenty of students and part-timers don't realise they can claim a refund when a one-off busy period triggered repayments they didn't actually owe.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a summer job affect my student loan? +

Only if it pushes your earnings above the threshold for that pay period. A short summer job usually won't make you cross the £25,000 annual figure, but if you're paid weekly or monthly and earn a lot in those weeks, a deduction might be taken. You can reclaim it later if your yearly total stays under the threshold.

Do I pay student loan on a zero-hours contract? +

Same rules apply — it's about how much you earn, not the contract type. If a busy period takes your pay above the per-period threshold, a repayment can be deducted. If your annual income stays below £25,000 on Plan 5, you can claim any deductions back after the tax year.

How do I stop student loan deductions if I earn too little? +

You can't pre-emptively switch them off, but deductions should only happen in pay periods where you're over the threshold. If you've been charged across a year where your total stayed below the threshold, contact the Student Loans Company for a refund once the tax year ends.

Topics covered

student loans part-time work repayments

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research or speak to a qualified financial adviser before making financial decisions.