< Back

Education Savings Account and Planning

With university fees continuing to rise across the UK*, planning for your children’s higher education has become a vital part of family financial planning. Alongside tuition fees and accommodation costs, you also have to consider living expenses.

Our expert wealth management team works with you to create a holistic education funding strategy to ensure your children can pursue their academic ambitions without financial constraints.

Speak to an adviser

*England, Wales and Northern Ireland (and students from the rest of the UK studying in Scotland, as there are no tuition fees for Scottish-domiciled students studying in Scotland).

Understanding the true cost of university education

The expense of sending your children to university is more than tuition fees. That’s why we take all potential costs into consideration when creating a savings strategy for you. This includes:

The average undergraduate course costing up to £9,535 per year**
Accommodation averaging £7,000 annually
Living expenses
Potential postgraduate study requirements
International study opportunities

**In England and Wales

At Mattioli Woods, we specialise in creating tailored savings strategies that can grow alongside your children, ensuring there are funds available when they need them most. Through strategic planning and tax-efficient investment vehicles, we work with you to build education funds that keep pace with rising costs.

Speak to an adviser

Education savings account

• Tax-efficient growth through Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Junior ISAs (JISAs)
• Flexible contribution options
• Access to diverse investment portfolios
• Regular savings plan to build education funds
• Protection from inflation through strategic investing

Capital at risk. ISA rules apply and may change.

Investment strategies for education

• Time-horizon planning aligned with your child’s age
• Risk-managed portfolios for education goals
• Regular portfolio reviews
• Multi-asset approaches for steady growth
• Capital preservation as university approaches

We know your education planning needs are unique to you. That’s why our dedicated financial advisers work with you to understand your specific goals, creating bespoke strategies that adapt as your children grow.

Protecting you, preserving your wealth, achieving your goals.

If you’re new to Mattioli Woods, book an initial complimentary consultation to discuss your goals for your children’s financial future.

Speak to an adviser

Happy couple with two girls relaxing at home together.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start saving for university fees?

Like all savings plans, as soon as possible. By starting early, you can maximise compound growth over time, spread contributions to reduce financial pressure and take advantage of market opportunities. You can also build flexibility for changing circumstances and create multiple funding options.

How much should I save monthly for university costs?

This depends on your target amount and timeframe. For example, saving £200 monthly from birth could potentially build a fund exceeding £60,000 by age 18, depending on investment performance (i.e. £63,118 with 4% growth per year after all charges).

Can family members contribute to university savings?

Yes, family members can make contributions via direct gifts, JISA contributions or even trust arrangements. This could also form part of an Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning strategy and potentially reduce any estate tax liabilities.

Capital at risk. ISA rules apply and may change.

What if my child decides not to go to university?

By using flexible savings vehicles such as ISAs and JISAs, their funds can be utilised for other goals such as apprenticeships, starting a business, property deposits or even to travel the world.

Capital at risk. ISA rules apply and may change.

How do student loans affect a savings strategy?

While student loans are available, having savings provides your children with choices. They may want to use those funds to reduce borrowing, cover living costs or even towards postgraduate studies.

Are there tax benefits to education savings?

Yes, using JISAs and ISAs provides tax-free growth on investment. You can save up to £9,000 per JISA per tax year and £20,000 per ISA per tax year. There are also specific trust structures and gifting strategies that can offer Inheritance Tax benefits. Our advisers will work with you to ensure you make the right choices for your strategy.

Capital at risk. ISA rules apply and may change.

Can I adjust my savings plan?

Yes. We know circumstances can change – the beginning or end of a marriage, the birth of another child, loss of income or maybe an inheritance. That’s why our advisers conduct regular reviews with you to ensure your strategy remains aligned with your family’s evolving needs.

Services for your children's future

Childhood pensions

JISAs

Why choose us?

At our core, our focus is entirely on you – our esteemed clients. With our exceptional wealth management and employee benefits services, you can experience the true essence of peace of mind.

clients have trusted us with their wealth

years experience shaping financial solutions

expert advisers

£0k

raised for charitable efforts

+£0bn

assets under
management

Find out more

Contact Mattioli Woods

I consent that my data will be handled in line with our Privacy Policy.

Find your adviser

Services

Employee Benefits

About us

Working with us

Resource Centre

Education Savings Account and Planning