Grants Scholarships and Bursaries
9 min read Article Updated 2026-03-14
What are university grants, scholarships and bursaries?
Free money exists to help you pay for university. Unlike your maintenance loan, you never repay grants, scholarships or bursaries. Universities, government departments and private charities distribute these funds to students who meet specific criteria.
According to the Blackbullion Student Money and Wellbeing Report (2025), 72% of UK students feel hopeless about their financial situation. The same report found the average student faces a monthly shortfall of £364.99 between their income and their living costs. Securing non-repayable funding closes this gap and reduces your reliance on expensive overdrafts.
Bursaries target financial need. Universities award them automatically based on your household income. Scholarships reward excellence. You must apply for them, proving your academic, musical or sporting ability. Grants usually come from the government or charities to support specific groups, such as students with dependents or disabilities. You can use this money to cover rent, buy textbooks, or pay for transport. It gives you the freedom to focus on your studies rather than working excessive part-time hours.
How household income affects your university bursary
Your household income dictates your eligibility for the most common university bursaries. Universities use the financial assessment from your Student Finance application to calculate your award. Student Finance calculates this figure using the gross taxable income of your parents or partner for the last full tax year.
If your household income falls below £25,000, you will likely qualify for the maximum bursary at your chosen institution. Thresholds vary significantly between universities. For example, the University of Bradford offers a £500 first-year bursary to students with a household income under £30,000. Meanwhile, the University of Oxford offers the Crankstart Bursary, providing up to £6,090 per year for students with a household income of £32,500 or less.
Many universities operate a sliding scale. You might receive £2,000 a year if your household income is under £25,000, but only £500 a year if it sits between £25,001 and £42,875.
You must tick the box allowing Student Finance to share your financial information with your university, or you will miss out on automatic bursaries.
If your parents are divorced or separated, Student Finance assesses the income of the parent you live with most of the time. If that parent has a new partner, their income also counts towards the household total. This often pushes students over the threshold, so plan your budget accordingly. Care leavers and estranged students receive maximum support regardless of household income. Most universities offer guaranteed bursaries of £1,000 to £3,000 per year for students who have spent time in local authority care or who lack family support.
Academic, sports and music scholarships explained
Universities use scholarships to attract talented students. You must actively apply for these awards. Competition is fierce, and deadlines often fall months before your course begins.
Academic excellence scholarships reward high A-Level, BTEC or Higher grades. Some universities offer £1,000 to £3,000 cash awards for students achieving AAA or higher. You usually need to make the university your firm choice on UCAS to qualify. Review our university applications hub for strategies on securing your firm choice.
Sports scholarships support student-athletes competing at a regional, national or international level. These packages often include cash bursaries, free gym memberships, physiotherapy and flexible study arrangements. You must provide evidence of your sporting achievements and attend trials.
Music scholarships offer similar perks, including free tuition and performance opportunities. Traditional universities often provide choral and organ scholarships, requiring you to perform in the university chapel choir. You usually need Grade 8 in your instrument or voice to apply.
Check the scholarship pages of your target universities before you submit your UCAS application. Some institutions require scholarship applications as early as November of Year 13.
Government grants for specific student circumstances
The government provides targeted grants to ensure higher education remains accessible to everyone. These grants sit on top of your standard maintenance loan and never need to be repaid.
Disabled students can claim the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). This fund covers the extra costs you face due to a mental health problem, long-term illness or specific learning difficulty like dyslexia. The DSA pays for specialist equipment, non-medical helpers and extra travel costs.
Students with children can claim the Parents’ Learning Allowance, worth up to £2,024 per year. You can also apply for the Childcare Grant, which covers up to 85% of your registered childcare costs. If you care for an adult dependent, the Adult Dependants’ Grant provides up to £3,545 annually.
Nursing, midwifery and allied health students receive the NHS Learning Support Fund. This package includes a base training grant of £5,000 per academic year. You can claim an extra £1,000 if you study a shortage specialism like mental health nursing or radiography.
Corporate scholarships and degree apprenticeships
Private companies fund university scholarships to recruit future talent. Engineering, technology and finance firms frequently sponsor students through their degrees.
Corporate scholarships often provide £2,000 to £5,000 per year. In return, you usually agree to complete summer internships with the company. Some contracts require you to work for the firm for a set period after graduation. Read the terms carefully before signing, as you may have to repay the money if you reject their job offer.
Amazon, for example, funds bursaries for female students studying engineering and computer science, offering £5,000 annual grants for up to four years. Banks and accounting firms like KPMG and PwC run extensive scholarship and apprenticeship programmes. These pathways are highly competitive, requiring you to pass psychometric tests and assessment centres. Start preparing your applications in September of Year 13.
If you want to avoid student debt entirely, consider a degree apprenticeship. Your employer pays your full tuition fees and pays you a salary while you study. You split your time between working in the office and attending university lectures.
Hidden funding: charity grants and trusts
Thousands of small educational charities and trusts operate across the UK. These organisations provide micro-grants to students who meet highly specific criteria.
You can find trusts supporting students from specific towns, studying particular subjects, or pursuing certain careers. For example, the Institution of Civil Engineers offers bursaries to engineering students. Other trusts support students who are vegetarians, children of grocery workers, or residents of specific counties like Cornwall or Yorkshire.
Use the UK Government Charity Commission database or the Turn2us grants search tool to find educational trusts. Look for keywords relevant to your hometown, parents’ professions, or your degree subject.
You will need to write a tailored application proving your financial need. Charities want to see exactly how their money will help you succeed. Provide a detailed budget showing your income shortfall and include an academic reference from a teacher or lecturer.
| Funding Type | Primary Source | Typical Amount | Repayable | Application Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-Income Bursary | University | £500 to £3,000 per year | No | No (Automatic) |
| Excellence Scholarship | University | £1,000 to £5,000 per year | No | Yes |
| Charity Grant | Private Trust | £500 to £2,000 one-off | No | Yes |
| NHS Training Grant | Government | £5,000 per year | No | Yes |
| Hardship Fund | University | Varies based on need | No | Yes |
Hardship funds and emergency student money
Every UK university maintains a hardship fund. This pot of money exists to rescue students facing unexpected financial crises during the academic year.
You can apply for hardship funding if you lose your part-time job, experience a sudden family emergency, or face a rent increase you cannot afford. Universities assess your income and expenditure to determine your need. They may award a non-repayable grant or a short-term emergency loan.
To apply, contact your university’s student support service. You must provide three months of bank statements, your tenancy agreement and proof of your student loan. The university will expect you to have applied for your maximum maintenance loan entitlement before asking for hardship funds. They will also check your bank statements to ensure you have not spent your loan on luxury items or holidays.
Hardship fund applications take two to four weeks to process. If you have absolutely no money for food, tell the student support team immediately. Most universities can issue emergency supermarket vouchers within 24 hours while they process your main application.
How to apply for university scholarships and bursaries
Start your search early. Treat finding funding like a part-time job.
First, apply for your government student finance as soon as the portal opens in early spring. Consent to share your financial data. This secures your automatic low-income bursaries.
Scottish students studying in Scotland pay no tuition fees and receive a different package of bursaries through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).
Next, identify government grants linked to your course. Apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund or the DSA as soon as you accept your university offer. Gathering medical evidence for the DSA takes time, so do not delay.
Finally, hunt for private scholarships. Read the eligibility criteria carefully. Tailor your application essay to match the priorities of the funding organisation. If a charity focuses on community leadership, provide concrete examples of your volunteering experience.
To maximise your income and minimise your borrowing, read our complete student money section for more strategies. Understanding exactly what you owe is the first step, so run your numbers through our student loan calculator and check our student housing guide to see how your rent impacts your overall budget. Find more resources and guides on unisorted.co.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to pay back a bursary?
No. Bursaries are non-repayable grants. You keep the money as long as you remain enrolled on your course and continue to meet the eligibility criteria. You will only need to repay a bursary if you drop out of university early and have received an overpayment.
How do I get a university bursary?
You receive most low-income bursaries automatically. When you apply for your maintenance loan through Student Finance, tick the box consenting to share your household income details with your university. The university will contact you directly if you qualify for an award.
Can you get a scholarship and a bursary at the same time?
Yes. You can usually hold a university bursary based on your household income alongside a private scholarship or charity grant. Check the terms and conditions of your specific university scholarship, as some institutions prohibit you from holding two of their own major financial awards simultaneously.
What is the NHS Learning Support Fund?
The NHS Learning Support Fund provides non-repayable financial support to students studying eligible healthcare courses. It includes a £5,000 annual training grant, plus additional funding for students with dependent children or those studying shortage specialisms. You must apply for this fund separately from your main Student Finance application.
