Study Loans and Payment Plans

Loans and payment plans

Compare study loans and payment plans

If free funding does not cover everything, compare the main ways to pay the rest: interest-free university instalments, education loans from banks in Oman and the UAE, and international lenders. Loans must be repaid with interest, so borrow only what you need.

✓ Official sources✓ Islamic options marked✓ Checked September 2026

Smart order to fund your studies

  1. Free money first. Scholarships and grants never need repaying. Find funding
  2. Spread the fees. University instalment plans are usually interest-free.
  3. Then borrow the gap. Compare total cost, not just the rate.

Repayment calculator

Estimate your monthly payment. Pick "Calculate repayment" on any option to fill in its rate.

Monthly payment–
Total repaid–
Total interest or profit–

An estimate only. A flat rate charges interest on the full amount for the whole term, so it costs more than the same reducing rate.

Rules in Oman

The Central Bank of Oman caps loan instalments at 50% of your salary (60% if you also have a housing loan). Omanis can usually borrow for up to 10 years, expats up to 5.

Rules in the UAE

UAE Central Bank rules limit personal loans to 20 times your monthly salary and 48 months, with all repayments capped at 50% of your salary.

Questions to ask the bank
  • Does it cover study abroad and living costs?
  • Is the rate flat or reducing, and what fees apply?
  • When does repayment start, and can it be deferred?
Photo credits and logos

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: George Peabody Library: Matthew Petroff, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Swansea University Bay Library and students: ISSoDD, CC BY-SA 4.0 · A view from the Back Campus of the University of Toronto: Maksim Sokolov (Maxergon), CC BY-SA 4.0 · BankMuscat: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (1): Mostafameraji, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mountain roads of Salalah, Dhofar, Sultanate of Oman: Erfan.arafat, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sunset Matrah Corniche - Muscat: Andrew Moore, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ahlibank Head Office : Wael Mohammed Al-Masri, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Oman, Nizwa, Fort Nizwa (at night): Dr. Thomas Liptak, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sohar Fort 05: Keirn OConnor from New York City, United, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Yacht docked in Dubai Creek: CT Cooper, Public domain · Dubai Creek from an abra 13: CT Cooper, Public domain · Ras al-Khaimah December 2015 by Vincent Eisfeld: Vincent Eisfeld, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bur Dubai HSBC bank. Al Souqe Al Kabeer - Dubai - United Arab Emirates: trolvag, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Abu Dhabi Skyline fron Corniche Rd: FritzDaCat, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ajman corniche mosque. - panoramio: Mahmoud Farrag, CC BY 3.0 · Dubai Islamic Bank - panoramio: Mahmoud Farrag, CC BY 3.0 · AL NOORISLAND AND SHARJAH AL MAJAZ: SHARON VISHAKHAM, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Deira on 1 May 2007 Pict 1: Imre Solt, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Abu Dhabi skyline - corniche 2: Sabithnav, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Harvard Yard im Sommer: Marco Almbauer, Public domain · University College London courtyard from UCLH floor 13: LondonHistoryatHome, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Low Memorial Library Columbia University College Walk Court Yard 05.jp: Ad Meskens, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Pathway on the University of Michigan campus (51708942460): Chris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, U, CC BY 2.0 · Boston University Medical Campus 01: Cmcnicoll at English Wikipedia, Public domain. Provider logos are shown to identify each company and belong to their owners; they do not imply endorsement.

Information from each provider's official website, checked in September 2026. Rates, fees and eligibility change often and depend on your circumstances. This page is not financial advice and StudyIELTS is not a lender. StudyIELTS may earn a referral fee from some providers; referral partners are labelled and this never changes the order or how we describe an option. Always read the provider's key facts statement before you apply.

Scroll to Top