Student Finance Guide: Bursaries and Scholarships 2025
Funding your university education doesn't have to mean graduating with maximum debt. Beyond standard student loans, thousands of pounds in bursaries, scholarships, and grants are available to help reduce your costs. This comprehensive guide reveals how to access this financial support in 2025.
Understanding the Basics: Loans, Bursaries, and Scholarships
Student Loans (England 2025/26)
- Tuition Fee Loan: Up to £9,250 per year (paid directly to your university)
- Maintenance Loan: Up to £10,227 (living away from home, outside London) or £13,762 (London)
- Repayment: Only when earning over £27,295, at 9% of income above this threshold
- Interest: RPI + 0-3% based on income during study and after graduation
Bursaries vs Scholarships
Bursaries: Usually means-tested financial support based on household income. You don't need to repay bursaries.
Scholarships: Merit-based awards recognizing academic achievement, sporting excellence, or other talents. Also non-repayable.
The distinction is increasingly blurred, with many institutions using the terms interchangeably.
University Bursaries and Scholarships
Access and Participation Bursaries
Most universities offer bursaries to students from lower-income backgrounds as part of their Access and Participation Plans. Typical awards:
- Household income under £25,000: £1,500-£3,000 per year
- Household income £25,000-£35,000: £1,000-£2,000 per year
- Care leavers: Often £3,000-£5,000 per year plus additional support
Academic Excellence Scholarships
Many universities reward outstanding A-Level or equivalent results:
- AAA or equivalent: £1,000-£2,000 per year
- A*A*A* or higher: £2,000-£5,000 per year
- Subject-specific awards for high achievement in particular disciplines
Important: Apply Early
Most university bursaries and scholarships are awarded automatically when you apply, but some require separate applications with strict deadlines - often in March/April for September entry. Check each university's financial support pages carefully when submitting your UCAS application.
Subject-Specific Funding
NHS Bursaries
Students on approved nursing, midwifery, and most allied health courses can access NHS Learning Support Fund:
- Training grant: £5,000-£8,000 per year (non-repayable)
- Additional support for specialist areas and locations
- Childcare allowance available
- Note: You can still access student loans on top of NHS funding
Teaching Bursaries and Scholarships
Postgraduate teaching training programs offer substantial financial incentives for priority subjects:
- Chemistry, Computing, Mathematics, Physics: Up to £29,000
- Languages (French, German, Spanish): Up to £27,000
- Geography, Design & Technology: Up to £15,000
Social Work Bursaries
Undergraduate and postgraduate social work students in England can access bursaries up to £5,262 per year, means-tested based on household income.
External Scholarships and Grants
Professional Body Scholarships
Many professional organizations offer scholarships for students entering their field:
- Engineering: Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), Royal Academy of Engineering
- Law: Law Society, Inns of Court scholarships
- Accountancy: ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA student scholarships
- Science: Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics
Charitable Trust Funding
Hundreds of charitable trusts offer grants based on various criteria:
- Geographic location (e.g., students from specific regions)
- Heritage or background
- Field of study
- Personal circumstances
Use resources like Turn2us grants search or Family Action Education Grants Service to find relevant opportunities.
Employer Sponsorship
Some employers sponsor employees through university study:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Paid study leave
- Guaranteed employment upon completion
- Common in engineering, technology, and professional services
Postgraduate Funding
Postgraduate Loans
Available for taught and research masters courses in England:
- Up to £12,167 for masters courses
- Up to £28,673 for doctoral degrees
- Paid in installments directly to you
- Repay alongside undergraduate loans at 6% of income above £21,000
Research Council Funding
PhD students can access fully-funded studentships through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) councils:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Annual stipend (£19,237 in 2024/25, typically rising with inflation)
- Research costs covered
- Highly competitive - typically requires first-class or high 2:1 degree
University Postgraduate Scholarships
Most universities offer postgraduate scholarships ranging from £1,000 to full fee waivers. Priority often given to:
- Students from the same institution (alumni discounts common)
- Outstanding academic performers
- International students (separate schemes)
- Students from underrepresented groups
Additional Support Available
Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)
Non-repayable support for study-related costs arising from disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty:
- Specialist equipment allowance
- Non-medical helper allowance (up to £26,291 per year)
- General allowance for disability-related costs
- Not means-tested
Childcare Support
- Childcare Grant: Up to £193.62 per week (one child) or £331.95 (two+ children)
- Parents' Learning Allowance: Up to £1,915 per year
- Adult Dependants' Grant: Up to £3,354 per year
Hardship Funds
All universities maintain discretionary hardship funds for students facing unexpected financial difficulties. Amounts typically £100-£3,500 depending on circumstances.
Maximizing Your Funding
1. Research thoroughly: Check every university you're applying to - offers vary significantly
2. Apply early: Many scholarships operate first-come, first-served
3. Cast your net wide: Apply for multiple external scholarships - even £500 grants add up
4. Check eligibility carefully: Some students miss out by not realizing they qualify
Key Deadlines for 2025 Entry
- January-March 2025: Most university scholarship application deadlines
- April 2025: Student Finance applications open for 2025/26
- May 2025: Priority deadline for Student Finance England applications (for funding at course start)
- Throughout summer: External scholarship deadlines vary
Further Resources
- gov.uk/student-finance: Official student finance information
- University financial support pages: Detailed breakdown of each institution's offerings
- Turn2us: Benefits calculator and grants search
- Save the Student: Independent advice and scholarship listings
- Money Helper: Impartial financial guidance for students
Conclusion
While student loans provide the foundation for university funding, don't overlook the substantial additional support available through bursaries, scholarships, and grants. With thorough research and timely applications, many students can significantly reduce their overall debt burden or cover living costs more comfortably.
Remember: every £1,000 in bursaries or scholarships is £1,000 you don't need to borrow - potentially saving you several hundred pounds in interest over the repayment period. Make accessing this support a priority in your university planning.