• Question: Was all the student debt worth it to get to where you are now.

    Asked by Stephen on 2 Oct 2025.
    • Photo: Boatemaa Ofori-Frimpong

      Boatemaa Ofori-Frimpong answered on 2 Oct 2025:

      Hi Stephen,

      Fortunately for me I didn’t have any student debt as I paid for all my education before starting the programmes and did not take out any student loans which was also not easy for my parents, I guess. I would like to think I have made my parents proud and I’m contributing meaningfully to the community now.

      Hope this answers your question.

    • Photo: Emma Weir

      Emma Weir answered on 3 Oct 2025:

      For me, yes!
      I couldn’t have done university without getting the tuition and living loans, but these fully supported me while I was studying for 4 years. I also couldn’t have progressed any further in research without all of my university education.
      Because student loans in the UK don’t work like normal debt the amount you pay back depends on your salary, which for me currently is only about £40 a month.

      Luckily my PhD was funded so I got paid while I did it, and you don’t have to pay back any student loans during this period 😊

    • Photo: Genevieve Barr

      Genevieve Barr answered on 15 Oct 2025:

      In the UK, paying back your student loan effectively works as an extra tax on graduates – you pay back a percentage of what you earn over a certain amount, and the debt it is written off after a certain time. The percentage you pay, repayment threshold and term vary depending on when someone went to uni.

      For me, it’s unlikely I’ll ever pay off my student loan in full, so this is an extra amount I’ll pay alongside my taxes for most of my working life (it should get written off when I’m 53!). But personally, it’s completely worth it. I wouldn’t have been able to get any of my degrees or the job I have now without my student loan. Crucially, the extra money I’m able to earn with my education is more than the amount I repay each month.

      I’ve loved taking the academic path into my scientific career – there was a lot of fun and exciting opportunities alongside the learning! – but it’s worth remembering there are other options. Research institutions and pharmaceutical companies are increasingly offering alternative routes into scientific careers, like apprenticeships.

Comments

  • Photo: John CC

    John CC commented on :

    I think it has been worth it, I too couldn’t have gone to university without the support of student loans. I still worked part time as a lifeguard in order to support myself and pay board at home, but doing the job also gave me great experience and transferable skills that I still use now. The postgraduate loan was brand new when I applied for it and allowed me to study for a masters by research, the hours and commuting meant it was difficult to do additional hours at work.
    Like Emma has said, the amount you pay back is based on your salary and starts at different incomes, the postgraduate loans is when you earn above £21,000. There’s lots of routes to the research career, it’s worth getting advice at whatever age 🙂