From your course provider
When you search for courses, you can see if any bursaries, scholarships, or awards are available from the course provider. The amounts vary across different courses and locations – check the course listings and contact them for more info.
Some course providers offer their own bursaries to help students progress in their studies. These may be offered to students who are involved in particular projects, in certain subject areas or specialisms. Some may receive funding based on their academic attainment, while other students may be eligible for support because of their personal circumstances. To see what bursaries are available at your university, college, or conservatoire, contact their student services office or visit their website.
Scholarships
Take a look at the Scholarship Search website which has options for various types, levels, subjects, and locations of study.
Charitable and educational grants and bursaries
There are many charities and educational organisations in the UK which can provide students with additional funding and support, but many students either do not know about them or assume they are not eligible. Do your research to see what you can apply for in addition to your student finance loans/grants – various awards are available based on criteria such as personal circumstances, specific industries/subject areas, or your educational attainment.
Disability Rights UK publish a factsheet which gives lots of detailed, useful advice about applying for bursaries, grants, and scholarships.
NHS careers
Students on eligible healthcare courses may qualify for an NHS Students’ Bursary. For more information, and to find out which courses are eligible, check the NHS website, or the NHS Wales website if you're looking to study in Wales.
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Changes to funding for all new undergraduate nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students for 2017 entry
English providers
- From 1 August 2017, UK students who choose to study in England should apply to their home country for fee and living cost support. They will receive support for fee loans and living costs through the standard student support system, rather than through course fees and NHS bursaries for living costs.
- These students will therefore be subject to the same student finance arrangements that apply to other undergraduates in 2017/18.
- View the Government policy paper for further information about transitional arrangements and why changes have been made, and the NHS website for more information.
Healthcare education funding
Postgraduate students
From 1 August 2018, new postgraduate pre-registration nursing, midwifery, and allied health professional students will receive support for fee loans and living costs through the standard student support system, rather than course fees and NHS bursaries towards living costs. They will have access to the Learning Support Fund, administered by the NHS Business Services Authority.
Dental hygiene and dental therapy students
From 1 August 2018, most pre-registration dental hygiene and dental therapy students will receive support for fee loans and living costs through the standard student support system, rather than course fees and NHS bursaries towards living costs. They will also have access to the Learning Support Fund, administered by the NHS Business Services Authority.
For the cohort starting in 2018/19 only, students at five institutions (details to follow in due course) will continue to have access to an NHS Bursary and tuition fee support for the duration of their course. These students will not be eligible for the Learning Support Fund.
The above funding information is subject to parliamentary approval.
Part-time courses
From 1 August 2018, previously commissioned NHS part-time programmes will receive maintenance support, as well tuition fee funding and any Disabled Students Allowances through the standard student support system. The maintenance bursary will no longer be available from NHS Bursaries. They will have access to the Learning Support Fund, administered by the NHS Business Services Authority
Scottish providers
- From 1 August 2017, UK students who choose to study in Scotland, and who are not ordinarily domiciled in Scotland, should apply to their home country for fee and living cost support.
- These students will receive support for fee loans and living costs through their home country’s standard student support system, rather than through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). They will, therefore, be subject to the same student finance arrangements that apply to other undergraduates not ordinarily domiciled in Scotland in 2017/18.
- Students who are ordinarily domiciled in Scotland, who choose to study in another part of the UK, should apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for the standard undergraduate support package. The Scottish Government has written to all Scottish universities and colleges to explain the changes.
Welsh providers
- From 1 August 2017, UK and EU students who choose to study in Wales will continue to receive the current bursary package, subject to them meeting a new eligibility requirement.
- Students must now sign an agreement to work in Wales for two years post-study, to be eligible for the healthcare bursary. This will apply to all UK and EU students.
- If the student chooses not to agree to the two-year tie in, they will not be eligible for the healthcare bursary. These students should apply to their home country for fee and living cost support, and will therefore be subject to the same student finance arrangements that apply to other undergraduates in 2018/19.
NI providers
From 1 August 2017, only Northern Irish and EU students will be able to apply for courses at NI providers. Bursary arrangements for these students remain in place.
|
Provider country
|
English domiciled |
Welsh domiciled |
NI domiciled |
Scottish domiciled |
EU domiciled |
| England |
Apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Finance England and extra NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) support.
|
Apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Finance Wales. |
Apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Finance NI. |
Apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). |
Apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Finance Services. |
| Wales |
If you meet two year post-study requirement, bursary available and Reduced Rate Maintenance Loan (RRML) from Student Finance England.
Or, if you choose to not agree to tie-in, apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Finance England.
|
If you meet two year post-study requirement, bursary available and Reduced Rate Maintenance Loan (RRML) from Student Finance Wales.
Or, if you choose to not agree to tie-in, apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Finance Wales.
|
If you meet two year post-study requirement, bursary available and Reduced Rate Maintenance Loan (RRML) from Student Finance NI.
Or, if you choose to not agree to tie-in, apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Finance NI.
|
If you meet two year post-study requirement, bursary available and Reduced Rate Maintenance Loan (RRML) from Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
Or, if you choose to not agree to tie-in, apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
|
If you meet two year post-study requirement, bursary available.
Or, if you choose to not agree to tie-in, apply for fee support from Student Finance Services.
|
| NI |
Cannot apply. |
Cannot apply. |
Bursary and Reduced Rate Maintenance Loan (RRML) for allied health professionals, and bursary only for nursing and midwifery. |
Cannot apply. |
Bursary available. |
| Scotland |
Apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Finance England. |
Apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Finance Wales. |
Apply for standard undergraduate support package from Student Finance NI. |
Apply for standard support package (allied health professionals) or bursary support package (nursing and midwifery students) from Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). |
Apply for standard support package (allied health professionals) or Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary support package from Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). |
Teaching careers
If you’re undertaking teacher training, there may be funding available to support you. It depends on a few different things – such as the type of training route/programme, your degree/teaching subject, where you live, where you’ll study, and your personal circumstances.
Apply from wherever you normally live – through The National College for Teaching and Leadership in England, Discover Teaching in Wales, Student Awards Agency for Scotland and NI Direct in Northern Ireland.
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International and EU students
Social work careers
If you’re training for social work, you may get a bursary to help with living costs and tuition fees. The amount won’t depend on household income – instead it’s based on where you live and where you’ll be studying.
Find out more from NHSBSA Social Work Bursaries in England, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Scottish Social Services Council or Care Council for Wales.
Financial support
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For students with children or adult dependants
Depending on where you live, you may be able to apply for financial support.
- a Childcare Grant could cover up to 85% of course childcare costs, depending on household income
- the Parents’ Learning Allowance can help with course related costs if you have dependent children
- an Adult Dependant’s Grant could help if you have an adult over 18 in your household depending on you financially
- a Dependant’s Grant could cover your husband, wife, civil partner or partner (but not another student)
- a Lone Parent’s Grant could help if you’re bring up children on your own and you are single, widowed, divorced, separated or your civil partnership has dissolved
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For students in financial hardship
You can contact your course provider to find out how much funding might be available through regional funds for students in financial hardship.
- University and college hardship funds in England
- Support funds in Northern Ireland
- The discretionary fund in Scotland
- University and college hardship funds in Wales
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For disabled students
You may be entitled to
Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs) for physical or mental impairments, long-term or mental health conditions, or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
This funding covers the cost of the support you need – e.g. specialist equipment and nonmedical helpers – like a note-taker or reader.
- First you’ll need either a letter from your doctor or consultant confirming your impairment or health condition, or a diagnostic assessment of your learning difficulty from a psychologist or specialist teacher.
- Then you apply for DSA through your regional funding organisation – Student Finance England, Student Finance Northern Ireland, Student Agency Awards in Scotland or Student Finance Wales. It can take up to three months to arrange, so apply early. Find out how to apply for DSAs in Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man.
- If you’re eligible you’ll then have an assessment to work out what you need – find an assessment centre near your course provider via the DSAs Quality Assurance Group website.
- Once everything’s arranged, the money will be paid directly to your service/equipment providers, or to your bank account.
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For students who are care leavers
If you’ve been in Local Authority (LA) care you can apply for financial support from your course provider or your LA. Contact your personal adviser, social worker or LA case worker for advice.
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Ar gyfer siaradwyr Cymraeg
Os ydych yn byw yng Nghymru fel rheol, efallai y bydd gennych hawl i gael rhagor o gymorth gan Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru.
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Independent students who have no contact with their family (estranged)
Are you applying for student finance through Student Finance England or Wales? If you are an independent student and you're estranged from your parents, you can find out more about support, financing your studies, and accommodation options.
