What is the Difference?
| Type | What it is | Do I repay it? |
|---|
| Bursary | Money awarded based on financial need | No — it's a gift |
| Scholarship | Money awarded based on achievement or talent | No — it's a gift |
| Grant | Government or charity funding for specific groups | No — it's a gift |
| Bursary loan | Low or no interest loan from a charity/university | Yes — but usually on very favourable terms |
Key point: Bursaries and scholarships do not affect your Student Finance entitlement. You can receive both at the same time.
University Bursaries
Almost every UK university offers its own bursary scheme for students from lower-income households. These are automatically assessed when you apply for Student Finance.
- Typical amount: £500–£3,000 per year
- Usually available if household income is under £25,000–£35,000
- Check your chosen university's student finance or fees page
- Some are paid as cash; others as fee waivers or accommodation discounts
National Bursaries & Grants
| Scheme | Who it's for | Amount |
|---|
| 16–19 Bursary Fund | Students aged 16–19 in further education facing financial hardship | Up to £1,200/year |
| Care Leavers' Bursary | Young people who have been in local authority care | Up to £2,000/year |
| Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) | Students with a disability, mental health condition, or learning difficulty | Up to £26,291/year |
| NHS Learning Support Fund | Students on nursing, midwifery, and allied health courses | Up to £5,000/year + extras |
| Teacher Training Bursaries | Graduates training to teach shortage subjects (maths, physics, computing) | Up to £29,000 tax-free |
| Estranged Students Bursary | Students estranged from their families | Varies by university |
Scholarships by Subject Area
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)
- EngineeringUK Scholarships — for students studying engineering
- BCS Scholars Programme — for computing and IT students
- Royal Academy of Engineering — various engineering scholarships
- Arkwright Engineering Scholarships — for 16–18 year olds interested in engineering
Law
- Sutton Trust Pathways to Law — for students from under-represented backgrounds
- Bar Council Scholarship — for aspiring barristers
- Many law firms offer their own funded training programmes
Medicine & Healthcare
- Wellcome Trust Scholarships — for biomedical students
- NHS Scholarships — for students committing to NHS careers
- Check individual medical schools for their own access schemes
Arts & Creative
- Arts Council England Funding — for creative projects and development
- BAFTA Scholarships — for students in film, TV, and games
- Many art schools have specific access bursaries
Scholarships for Specific Groups
| Group | Scheme |
|---|
| First-generation university students | Sutton Trust, many university access schemes |
| Black students | 10,000 Black Interns, UK Black Tech |
| Students from deprived areas | Opportunity North East, many local authority schemes |
| Armed forces families | COBSEO, SSAFA bursaries |
| Students in care / care leavers | Buttle UK, local authority Virtual School grants |
How to Search for More
- Turn2Us Grant Search: grants-search.turn2us.org.uk
- Scholarship Hub: thescholarshiphub.org.uk
- Scholarship Search UK: scholarshipsearch.org.uk
- Your university's financial support office — always worth contacting directly
- Your local council — many offer hardship funds for local students
Watch out for scams: Legitimate scholarships and bursaries never ask you to pay a fee to apply. If any scheme asks for payment, it is not genuine.
Application Tips
- Apply early — many schemes have limited funds and close when full
- Read the eligibility criteria carefully before applying
- Write a strong personal statement — explain your background and ambitions honestly
- Ask a teacher, mentor, or Empowered-Edu advisor to review your application
- Apply for multiple scholarships — there is no limit
Need help finding funding? Empowered-Edu can help you identify and apply for bursaries and scholarships relevant to your situation — completely free. Contact us at empowered-edu.org.