Sharia Student Funding
This is for UK students in our Money information.
The current model of UK government funding provision, including the charging of interest on student loans, may not be available to all students on religious grounds. This will often limit options for Muslim students who wish to comply with sharia guidance.
If you are unable to access student finance for religious reasons, it is likely to be extremely difficult to cover the significant costs of tuition fees and living costs. It is not advisable to start studies unless you have been able to secure adequate alternative resources.
Some elements of UK Student Finance are in the form of grants rather than loans - Disabled Student Allowance, Parents Learning Allowance, Adult Dependants Grant and Study Exchange Travel Grant. Access to these grants does not depend upon borrowing student loans.
Also depending on your regional funding body, elements of student finance may include grants. For students who live in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, different funding bodies make awards. Links below explain funding available and how to apply.
Loughborough University bursaries and scholarships
There are no Loughborough funds specifically for Muslim students, any relevant bursaries and scholarships are paid as grants rather than loans. They do not have to be paid back and no interest or charges are added.
The Loughborough University Bursary for undergraduates requires students to provide household income information through the Student Finance application process but it is not necessary to borrow any student loan. You can apply and ask student finance to do an income assessment specifically for the purpose of being assessed for a university bursary and within your application indicate that you are applying for a zero loan.
Other bursaries might be appropriate depending on your circumstances, e.g. the Opportunity scholarship and Care Leavers’ bursary for undergraduates.
Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) from 2027 onwards
For students funded by Student Finance England (SFE), Lifelong Learning Entitlement funding will become available to new undergraduate entrants to higher education from 2027. Government student loans aim to provide a sharia-compliant option under the Lifelong Learning Entitlement. The details are still being worked out, at the time of writing (August 2025). We anticipate details will be available in summer 2026 - updates will appear on Alternative student finance - GOV.UK
The introduction of the LLE will not make any changes to postgraduate funding.
The regional funding bodies for Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland have not announced plans to change funding, comparable to LLE.
Last updated: 29th September 2025