BU Maintenance Bursary

Our Maintenance Bursary is available to all new undergraduate students who meet the eligibility criteria specified below. For those commencing their studies with us in the 2026/27 academic year in Year 1 (level 4), it offers up to £2,400. For those starting in Year 0 (Foundation Year), and paying the higher tuition fee of £9,535, the bursary offers up to £3,200. 

To be eligible for a BU Maintenance Bursary, you must: 

• be registered as Home for fee status; and
• live in England and have been ordinarily resident in England for three years prior to the start date of your course*
• be eligible for both the Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan from Student Finance England
• be a new student for September 2026 entry, actively participating on an Undergraduate BU course or Wiltshire College Salisbury** course (excluding HNC/HND) on a full or part-time basis
• be studying a first degree (including Top-ups)
• be paying the higher tuition fee of £9,535 if studying a Foundation Year
• have a family income of £25,000 or less per year to qualify for the bursary***.

*Students who are ordinarily resident in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are excluded from receiving the BU Maintenance Bursary due to alternative funding arrangements being available to them. Ordinarily resident has been defined as 'habitual and normal residence in one place.’ It means that you live in a country year after year by choice through a set period, apart from temporary or occasional absences, such as holidays or business trips. Living here totally or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education does not count as being ordinarily resident. The course start date is defined as 1 September for September entrants.

**Applies to: BA (Hons) Film Production and Cinematography. If you're studying at one of our other Partner Colleges, you will need to contact them for information about financial support.

***You will need to meet the eligibility criteria each year in order to qualify for the full bursary.