GBS Mature Student Finance 2026: Study at 21+ With No Degree, Funded by Student Finance
If you are 21 or over and living in the UK as a British national, Irish citizen, EU Settlement Scheme holder, someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain, or with refugee or humanitarian protection status, you can study at Global Banking School (GBS) with a Student Finance England tuition fee loan of up to GBP 6,935 a year and a maintenance loan of up to GBP 13,762 a year. No A-Levels, no degree and nothing to pay upfront.
Quick answer
GBS mature students aged 21+ with Home fee status can borrow up to GBP 6,935 per year for tuition (paid straight to GBS) plus a maintenance loan for living costs. Eligibility is based on residency status, not on age or previous qualifications, and repayments only begin once you earn over GBP 25,000 a year under Plan 5.
Official fees and eligibility links
What you can borrow at GBS in 2025/26
| Funding | Amount per year |
|---|---|
| Tuition fee loan (alternative-provider cap) | up to GBP 6,935 |
| Maintenance loan - Living in London, away from home | up to GBP 13,762 |
| Maintenance loan - Living away from home, outside London | up to GBP 10,544 |
| Maintenance loan - Living at home with parents | up to GBP 8,877 |
| Repayment threshold (Plan 5) | GBP 25,000 |
Who is eligible as a mature student at 21+
- You are 21 or over on the first day of your course (there is no upper age limit for a tuition fee loan).
- You are a British national, an Irish citizen, hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or hold Indefinite Leave to Remain.
- You have refugee status, humanitarian protection, or another qualifying leave granted by the Home Office.
- You have been ordinarily resident in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man for the three years before your course starts.
- You have not already completed an equivalent or higher-level qualification funded by student finance (previous-study rules apply).
GBS courses mature students can start without a degree
HND in Business
Business & Finance · 2 years · October, January, June
HND in Health and Social Care Practice
Health & Social Care · 2 years · October, January, June
HND in Digital Technologies for England (Cyber Security)
Digital Technologies & Computing · 2 years · October, January, June
HND in Construction Management for England (Construction Design and Build Technician)
Construction Management · 2 years · October, January, June
BA (Hons) Global Business and Entrepreneurship with Foundation Year
Business & Finance · 4 years · October, January, June
BA (Hons) Global Business (Business Management) with Foundation Year
Business & Finance · 4 years · October, February, June
BSc (Hons) Business and Tourism Management
Business & Finance · 4 years · September, January, June
BSc (Hons) Accounting and Financial Management
Business & Finance · 4 years · September, January, June
BSc (Hons) Project Management with Foundation Year
Project Management · 4 years · October, February, June
BSc (Hons) Computing with Foundation Year
Digital Technologies & Computing · 4 years · October, February, June
Where GBS mature students study
We support mature applicants across England, including commuters from smaller towns near each teaching campus.
London
Greenford, Stratford, Holborn, Wembley, Ilford, Hounslow, Croydon, Barking, Southall, Slough, Watford, Luton
Birmingham
Smethwick, West Bromwich, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Tipton, Oldbury
Manchester
Oldham, Rochdale, Bolton, Salford, Stockport, Bury, Ashton-under-Lyne, Wigan, Warrington
Leeds
Dewsbury, Batley, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Halifax, Keighley, Pudsey, Castleford
Liverpool
Birkenhead, St Helens, Bootle, Wallasey, Widnes, Runcorn, Southport
Reading
Slough, Bracknell, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Newbury, High Wycombe, Basingstoke
Coventry
Nuneaton, Rugby, Bedworth, Leamington Spa, Warwick
Dudley
Stourbridge, Halesowen, Brierley Hill, Kingswinford, Wednesbury
GBS mature student finance FAQs
Can I get student finance for GBS as a mature student?
Yes. Global Banking School is a UK Government-designated higher education provider, so eligible Home students aged 21 and over can apply to Student Finance England for a tuition fee loan of up to GBP 6,935 per year plus a means-tested maintenance loan of up to GBP 13,762 per year in London. You must meet SFE residency rules as a British national, Irish citizen, EU Settlement Scheme holder, someone with Indefinite Leave to Remain, or a person with refugee or humanitarian protection status.
Do I need A-Levels or a degree to study at GBS at 21+?
No. GBS assesses mature applicants aged 21 and over on work experience, a personal statement and an interview rather than formal A-Level grades. Many mature students start on an HND (Level 4/5) or a degree with an integrated foundation year, then progress to a full honours degree.
How much does GBS cost and does the loan cover it?
GBS undergraduate courses are priced at or under the alternative-provider tuition fee loan cap of GBP 6,935 per year for 2025/26, so the tuition fee loan normally covers your tuition in full with nothing to pay upfront. Always confirm the current fee for your course on the GBS website before applying.
When do I repay my GBS student loan?
You repay under Plan 5. Repayments start the April after you finish, and only when you earn more than GBP 25,000 a year. You pay 9% of income above that threshold, and any remaining balance is written off after 40 years. If you never earn above the threshold, you never repay.
Can I study at GBS with EU Settlement Scheme or ILR status?
Yes. Settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, pre-settled status with three years of UK residence, and Indefinite Leave to Remain all normally give Home fee status and access to Student Finance England, provided you have been ordinarily resident in the UK for the three years before your course starts.
Which GBS campuses can mature students study at?
GBS teaches in London (Greenford, Stratford, Holborn and Wembley), Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, with students commuting from towns such as Dewsbury, Dudley, Coventry, Liverpool, Reading and Slough. Timetables are designed around work and family commitments.
Apply for GBS with student finance
Send us your details and our admissions team will confirm your Home fee status, loan eligibility and the next GBS intake at your nearest campus.
Lightning Enrolment is an independent admissions support service. Figures are the published Student Finance England maxima for 2025/26 and are for guidance only. Always confirm fees and eligibility with GBS and gov.uk before you apply.