Other financial help

These are extra funds you get from universities and colleges that you don't have to pay back.  Each university has its own rules about who can get them and what kind of bursary, scholarship or award they offer.  They might be for specific courses, certain groups of students or for doing well in your studies.

 Find details of each university's bursary scheme in its prospectus, on its website and you can search for funding on UCAS Scholarships, grants and bursaries

If you're struggling with money and need some extra help to start or stay on, you can get support directly from your university or college. They'll decide if you qualify and how much you can get. You may also see this called the Access to Learning Fund. 

Save the Student has useful information regarding hardship funds - take a look at their article Hardship Funds: emergency cash at university

If you’re planning to study part-time, you can get a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan. If you have a low income, your university or college might also be able to help you out.

Find information for part-time students on the GOV.UK Student Finance pages.

To get an NHS bursary, you need to be accepted into a full or part-time NHS-funded course that will qualify you to become a doctor or dentist. You can apply for the bursary in the later years of your course.

For details visit the NHS Business Services Authority website, or the financial support for medical and dental students page on the NHS Health Careers website.

If you’re starting a nursing, midwifery, or other allied health professional course you’ll get at least £5,000 a year to help with living costs. The best part? You don’t have to pay it back!

Read more about the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) from the NHS Business Services Authority.

GOV.UK also have published guidance on NHS financial support for health students: NHS Learning Support Fund

Some companies have school leaver schemes where you can study for a degree while working for them.

Also, some universities offer degrees sponsored by various employers or professional associations.

Many of these programs are now becoming Higher or Degree Apprenticeships.  Amazing Apprenticeships publish a Higher & Degree Apprenticeships Vacancy Listing every few months with vacancy information and direct application links.

Check out the websites of individual companies and professional bodies, or ask the admissions officer at any university or college you’re interested in to see if the course you’re applying for has sponsors. You can also look into Sponsored Degrees in the UK from The Scholarship Hub.

If you’ve been in Norfolk County Council’s care, Norfolk Children’s Services will give you a Higher Education Bursary of £2,000, as long as your course lasts at least two academic years. You’ll get this money in instalments throughout your course. You might also get help with equipment, accommodation costs, and travel. Plus, you’re entitled to the full Maintenance Loan.  You can find all of this information, and more, on Norfolk County Council's Higher Education information for care leavers.

Talk to your Children’s Services Personal Adviser to find out what financial help and support you can get. You can also find more information on the Propel website and try the Unite Foundation who provide a scholarship to cover your accommodation and bills.

If you have a disability, long-term or mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia, you can apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). This is extra financial help on top of any standard student finance you get, and you don’t have to repay it. The amount you get depends on your individual needs, not your family’s income.

Many universities and colleges have disability advisers who can help with advice and support on things like finance, welfare, and academic matters.

Check out the GOV.UK Disabled Students’ Allowance guide for more details. You can also find useful information about trusts that may help with funding on the Disability Rights UK website.

When you’re looking into universities and colleges, make sure to ask about the disability support they offer.

You may be able to apply for extra funding from charitable trusts.  There are loads of small charities and trusts in the UK which give out educational grants for a wide range of reasons, including for university study. They may have particular funding criteria and may, for example, fund you to travel abroad or for a specific project.  Some may offer you support if you live in a particular area.

The Scholarship Hub has information on educational grants for students from trusts and charities - you can also find additional funding via the Funding Hub on Blackbullion

Also check out Turn2Us to see if you could get help from charitable grants.

A lot of students work part-time while at university or college to help cover their living costs. Just make sure you don’t let your studies suffer by taking on too many hours. Balance is key! 

Some universities and colleges have 'job shops' or 'job boards' to help with finding work.  It's also worth contacting the university's careers team.