Archive Website of the UK government

Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.

Archive brought to you by Cross Stitch UK

Main menu

Wednesday, 3 October 2023

If you already have a Career Development Loan

You can no longer apply for Career Development Loans (CDLs): they have been replaced with Professional and Career Development Loans. If you already have a CDL, you will still need to repay the money you’ve borrowed.

What’s happened to Career Development Loans?

Career Development Loans (CDLs) have been replaced by Professional and Career Development Loans.

Like CDLs, Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans that can be used to help pay for learning. However, the conditions of the loan are different.

If you’ve taken out a CDL, you’ll have to pay it back

You can’t apply for a Professional and Career Development Loan if you already have a CDL for the same course.

If you have signed a credit agreement with a bank to take out a CDL, you’ll still have to repay it under the terms you agreed with the bank.

However, you’ll be able to apply for a Professional and Career Development Loan if you start a new course – if you’ve paid back your CDL.

You may still be able to ‘top up’ your CDL

If you need extra funds, your bank may be willing to extend your existing CDL. Get in touch with them to find out.

The limit on what you can borrow through a CDL is £8,000, and you can’t switch to a Professional and Career Development Loan in order to borrow more.

Additional links

Simpler, Clearer, Faster

Try GOV.UK now

From 17 October, GOV.UK will be the best place to find government services and information

Access keys