Story perspectives

UK Graduate Loan Repayments Hit Record Low Amid Jobs Crisis

10/26/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In the United Kingdom, 44,527 Russell Group graduates began repaying student loans in 2024, a record low.
The number is well below the typical 57,000, reflecting a jobs crisis.
Repayments from graduates of the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford fell 29% and 31% since 2019.
Rising tuition fees and insufficient maintenance loans strain students.
The Higher Education Policy Institute identifies inadequate economic growth as a contributing factor.

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Story summary

In the United Kingdom, 44,527 Russell Group graduates began repaying student loans in 2024, a record low.
The number is well below the typical 57,000, reflecting a jobs crisis.
Repayments from graduates of the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford fell 29% and 31% since 2019.
Rising tuition fees and insufficient maintenance loans strain students.
The Higher Education Policy Institute identifies inadequate economic growth as a contributing factor.