- Bursaries do not need to be repaid -- unlike student loans
- Most university bursaries are awarded automatically via the student finance income assessment
- NHS Learning Support Fund: £5,000/year non-repayable for eligible healthcare students
- Teacher training bursaries: up to £29,000 tax-free in shortage subjects
- Bursaries do not reduce student loan entitlement
- UKRI doctoral stipends: £19,237/year (2024/25) for funded research students
TL;DR: What is a bursary? A bursary is a non-repayable payment made to a student to help cover the costs of studying. Unlike a student loan, it does not need to be repaid and does not accrue interest. Bursaries are awarded by universities, government bodies, NHS trusts, professional as
What is a bursary?
A bursary is a non-repayable payment made to a student to help cover the costs of studying. Unlike a student loan, it does not need to be repaid and does not accrue interest. Bursaries are awarded by universities, government bodies, NHS trusts, professional associations and charitable foundations. Eligibility is typically based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of both.
In UK higher education, bursaries and scholarships are related but distinct. Bursaries are more commonly means-tested -- awarded based on household income. Scholarships are more commonly merit-based -- awarded for academic, sporting or artistic achievement. In practice, many university awards combine both criteria, and the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably by institutions.
University bursaries
Most UK universities offer their own bursary schemes, funded through their access and participation plans submitted to the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS requires higher education providers receiving public funding to demonstrate they are widening access and supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Bursary schemes are a core mechanism for meeting this requirement.
University bursaries typically range from £500 to £5,000 per year. The most generous awards go to students from the lowest-income households, often those with household incomes below £20,000-£25,000. Most are awarded automatically based on the household income figure submitted to Student Finance England -- students do not need to make a separate application. By consenting for their income data to be shared with the university during the student finance application process, students automatically enter the assessment.
Some universities offer additional discretionary bursaries requiring a separate application -- for example, for care leavers, estranged students, student carers or students with dependants. These are detailed on each university's financial support pages and students should check at the time of accepting their offer.
NHS Learning Support Fund
The NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) is a non-repayable grant available to eligible students on nursing, midwifery and allied health profession courses in England. For 2025/26 the main training grant is £5,000 per year, paid in monthly instalments through NHS Business Services Authority. It is available regardless of household income -- it is not means-tested.
Additional LSF payments are available for: travel to clinical placements (actual costs reimbursed), childcare costs during placements, and a dependants supplement for students with children or adult dependants. Students on eligible courses should apply through the NHS BSA portal at the start of each academic year.
The LSF does not reduce student loan entitlement. Students on eligible healthcare courses can receive the full LSF training grant alongside whatever maintenance loan they are entitled to based on household income.
Government bursaries by profession
Several professions receive government-funded bursaries as recruitment incentives where graduate shortages exist:
- Initial Teacher Training (ITT) bursaries: Up to £29,000 tax-free for trainees in shortage subjects such as physics, chemistry, computing and mathematics. The exact amount depends on subject and degree classification. These are among the largest non-repayable grants available to postgraduate students in England.
- Social work bursaries: The Social Work Bursary from NHS BSA provides a means-tested grant to eligible social work students on qualifying programmes. Amounts vary based on household income and study mode.
- NHS clinical bursaries: In addition to the LSF, some specialist clinical postgraduate programmes attract NHS-funded bursaries through Health Education England and integrated care board funding arrangements.
Charitable and trust bursaries
Thousands of charitable trusts and educational foundations offer bursaries to students meeting specific criteria. Common eligibility factors include geographic location (living in a particular county or town), occupational background (children of former miners, seafarers, or specific industry workers), subject of study, disability or health condition, and personal circumstances such as being a lone parent or a care leaver.
The two principal search tools for charitable education grants in the UK are:
- Turn2us Grants Search: Free, searchable database of charitable funds and trusts open to individuals. Covers education grants alongside welfare grants.
- Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS): Operated by Family Action, EGAS provides a grants search specifically for students and can be accessed via the Family Action website.
Charitable bursaries are often small (£200-£2,000) and competitive, but they are genuinely available and underused. Students with a specific connection -- geographic, occupational or personal -- to a charitable fund are worth applying even if the amounts seem modest.
Do bursaries affect student loan entitlement?
University bursaries and most charitable grants do not reduce student loan entitlement. The maintenance loan is calculated solely on household income assessed by Student Finance England, not on additional grants or bursaries received. A student can hold a £3,000 university bursary and receive the full maintenance loan they are entitled to based on income.
Bursaries may, however, affect means-tested benefits. Students receiving Universal Credit should check DWP guidance on student income disregards before assuming bursary income is fully disregarded -- the treatment of different types of income varies.
Disabled Students Allowance
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is available to undergraduate and postgraduate students with a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia. DSA covers additional study costs arising from the disability -- specialist equipment, non-medical helper support, travel and other needs assessments identify. DSA is not repayable and does not count against loan or bursary limits. Students should apply through Student Finance England as early as possible in the application cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Is a bursary taxable?
In most cases, no. Bursaries paid to students in full-time education are generally exempt from income tax under HMRC rules, provided the payment is for education costs and not in return for services rendered. Students in doubt should verify with HMRC or their university's student services.
How much is a typical university bursary?
Amounts vary significantly. At the lower end, some universities provide £500 to £1,000 per year for students from households with incomes up to £30,000. Universities with large endowments or strong access commitments -- including many Russell Group institutions -- may offer £3,000 to £5,000 per year to students from the lowest-income households.
Can postgraduate students get bursaries?
Yes. Postgraduate bursaries are available from universities, UKRI research councils (doctoral studentships with maintenance stipends), professional bodies and charitable foundations. Teacher training bursaries are a significant source for postgraduate students on PGCE and School Direct routes. UKRI doctoral stipends for 2025/26 are £19,237 per year, non-repayable.
What is the difference between a bursary and a hardship fund?
Bursaries are typically awarded at the start of the academic year based on predetermined eligibility criteria. Hardship funds (also called discretionary funds or support funds) are administered by universities to help students facing unexpected financial difficulties during their course -- an emergency, unexpected bill or sudden change in circumstances. Hardship fund applications are assessed by student services teams on a case-by-case basis. Both are non-repayable.
Do I need to reapply for a bursary each year?
This depends on the university and the bursary type. Many automatic income-assessed bursaries are reviewed each year as part of the annual student finance reapplication process. Discretionary bursaries requiring a separate application may need to be reapplied for annually. Students should check the terms of their specific award.
