Ministers consider requiring GCSE English to access university loans
educationJun 17, 20261892
Ministers at the UK Department for Education are exploring a plan to require a pass in GCSE English for students to access government-backed tuition and maintenance loans through the Student Loans Company. Under the proposal, applicants who have not passed GCSE English would be refused loans, a change that campaigners say would bar thousands from starting degree courses in England. Advocates and university leaders warn the threshold would disproportionately affect disadvantaged and mature applicants and could reshape university recruitment and funding for low-income students.
