Bursary and Scholarship Grids

The grids summarise the types of bursaries (B) and scholarships (S) available.

• Please note that the terms bursary and scholarship are used interchangeably by universities.
  
• The bursaries and scholarships listed are in response to government policy and are intended to facilitate access to university for all.
  
• For a more detailed description of the bursaries and scholarships offered by universities consult OFFA (Office for Fair Access).
  

Download

• Bursary Grid England as PDF. Print at A3 size.
• Bursary Grid Northern Ireland as PDF. Print at A3 size.
• Bursary Grid Scotland as PDF. Print at A3 size.
• Bursary Grid Wales as PDF. Print at A3 size.

A number of points need to be borne in mind when consulting these grids.

• The information was up-to-date and accurate at the time of collation but some of the figures may be subject to change and the reader should always check with universities for final details. Read more about bursaries and scholarships.
• The grids do not provide a definitive summary of all scholarships and bursaries offered by UK universities. Many universities have had scholarships and bursaries schemes for years and these grids do not address those opportunities. Again, consult individual universities for an overview of the full range of their scholarships and bursaries. 
• Funding arrangements in Scotland are both separate from and different to those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. From 2012–13, Scotland charged variable tuition fees up to a maximum of £9,000 to RUK (Rest of the UK) students only. In so doing, Scottish universities have also developed a range of bursaries and scholarships available to RUK students that compare with those mandated by OFFA in England and which are intended to offset the higher cost of tuition for eligible students. These are shown in the grid for Scotland.

An Explanation of the Headings

• National Scholarship Programme number and value of awards for 2013 in England coming under the umbrella of the NSP.
• In receipt of full Maintenance Grant are bursaries for students from the lowest income families. (These may be instead of or as well as the National Scholarship Programme.)
• In receipt of partial Maintenance Grant are bursaries for students from low-income families who, whilst not receiving the full Maintenance Grant, will still receive a lower Maintenance Grant and so qualify for a bursary. (These may be instead of or as well as the National Scholarship Programme.)
• Living in region/specified postcode or Low Participation Neighbourhoods (LPN), Widening Participation (WP), Access, Progressing from Partner Colleges, Outreach, Ethnic minorities (BME), are the target, under-represented student groups for whom these bursaries and scholarships are intended. (These may be instead of or as well as the National Scholarship Programme.)
• Bursaries for placement/year abroad students are provided for students working or studying away from their university.
• Disabled because, again, these students are often under-represented in universities.
• Sports bursaries for excellence in sport.
• Care bursaries for students coming from a care background.
• Specified subjects are bursaries which provide incentive to study specific subjects, often 'shortage subjects'.
• Academic achievement bursaries and scholarships are offered for academic excellence. These are often termed merit scholarships or excellence scholarships. They may be entrance scholarships or progression scholarships, competitive or automatic. Some are restricted to those from low income families; others are 'needs blind'.

Other Bursaries and Scholarships

Bursaries and scholarships are increasingly widely available and are well-publicised.

• Many universities and colleges offer their own bursaries and scholarships, often funded by alumni, and these are advertised on their websites, giving details of eligibility criteria, the application process and so on. Some may be competitive, some may be automatic.
• Such forms of financial support are also available from many commercial companies: for a sample of the opportunities available, take a look at Career and company case studies.

But there are other sources of funding than those offered by your own university.

It is worth doing some research to find out what is available because, for suitably qualified students, there are significant funding opportunities beyond the Government, mainly from charitable trusts. Here are just a few examples, a cross section of the type of financial support available:

• Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) contact details and grants search.
• Nuffield Foundation undergraduate research bursaries in science.
• The Vegetarian Society offers grants for the relief of poverty and to assist with educational courses.
• The Thomas Wall Trust offers grants to those pursuing vocational courses or courses concerned with education and social welfare.
• The Society for Promoting the Training of Women offers loans to women training for professional, commercial or technical work.
• The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) makes awards to craftsmen and women of all ages to help them further their careers.
• The Gen Foundation principally provides grants to students/researchers in biological, chemical, botanical, and food sciences. Exceptional candidates in language, music and art may also be considered.
• The Anglo-Spanish Society welcomes applications for scholarships from UK or Spanish nationals engaging in postgraduate studies that have some connection with bilateral links and relationships between the UK and Spain in any field of academic interest.
• The George Viner Memorial Fund was set up by the National Union of Journalists to offer financial support to Black and Asian students in print, broadcasting, photographic or online journalism.
• The Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF) is a leading membership association for trusts and foundations in the UK. It does not offer grants itself but has advice and guidance, and links to ACF member trusts and foundations.
• The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) promotes and protects the needs of international students in the UK and offers advice on sources of funding for overseas students.
• Brightside UNIAID offers interactive student calculators and games about studies, money and careers.
• The Royal Caledonian Schools Trust offers help with living expenses in further and higher education: offered to sons and daughters (of any age) of Scots serving, or who have served, in the armed forces, and children of Scots in London.
• Graduate Prospect information on charities, foundations and trusts awarding student funding, and scholarships and bursaries.
• Scholarships offered by BP.
• The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust offers undergraduate and postgraduate grants and awards to those whose studies are connected with commercial travellers, chemists and grocers.
• The Holbeck Charitable Trust (Yorkshire) offers scholarships to young people from schools and colleges in Yorkshire and Humber.
• Information from the Law Society on postgraduate funding options for law students.
• The Ironmongers' University Scholarship Scheme is intended to encourage young people to pursue careers which will benefit the iron and steel industry.
• The Daiwa Anglo Japanese Foundation offers the Daiwa Scholarship, a unique 19-month programme of language study, work placement and homestay in Japan.

Next page: National Scholarship Programme