UK student loans (Plan 2, Plan 5, postgraduate) function more like graduate tax than traditional debt. They're written off after 30-40 years. Many graduates never repay them in full. Aggressive repayment often costs more than the loan would.
When to pay aggressively
Plan 1 loans (pre-2012 graduates) — lower interest, more traditional. High earners projected to repay in full anyway. Specific personal circumstances making the debt feel oppressive.
When to ignore (mostly)
Plan 2 and Plan 5 loans where you're unlikely to repay in full. The standard repayment via salary works fine.
Check your loan plan and projected lifetime repayment via student loan calculator. Many graduates discover aggressive repayment isn't mathematically beneficial.