Written by Education Officer at Students' Union UCL, Sarah Jilani
We're calling on the Government to prioritise students in this year's Budget. Students across the country are being priced out of higher education. Maintenance support has failed to keep pace with the cost of living, and the proposed international student levy risks deepening the crisis in university funding. Our submission calls for a fairer system that ensures every student can thrive, regardless of background or income.
What is the Budget?
The Budget is one of the most significant moments in the Government’s financial calendar. It sets out how public money will be spent over the coming year and signals priorities for the economy, education, and public services. This year’s Budget will be announced on 26 November 2025 and Students’ Union UCL has submitted evidence to the Treasury to ensure that the voices of our students are heard at a national level.
Why is it important?
A budget submission allows organisations to provide evidence and recommendations to government departments ahead of the Budget. It is a key way for us to influence national policy, highlight the financial realities students face, and propose fairer approaches to funding higher education.
Our core priorities
Our proposals focus on putting money back in your pocket whilst ensuring your educational experience remains world-class:
- Reforming student finance – calling for maintenance loans to rise in line with inflation, the reintroduction of maintenance grants without relying on an international student levy, and fairer repayment terms for graduates.
- Promoting equity and inclusion – urging the Government to provide targeted cost-of-living grants for disabled students, expand allowances for student parents and carers, and ensure access to affordable childcare for those in higher education.
- Improving access and community – recommending the introduction of a free bus pass for under-22s and a new student railcard for learners of all ages to reduce travel costs and strengthen participation in campus life.
Together, these recommendations aim to make higher education fairer, more accessible, and financially sustainable – both for students and for universities like UCL that play a vital role in national growth.