NHS Bursary Scheme
The information on this page applies to students beginning in September 2012. If you started studying before then, read the 2011 funding information.
What is the NHS Bursary Scheme?
The NHS Bursary Scheme provides financial support to UK* students on NHS funded healthcare courses. Eligible students could receive a non-means tested loan of £1,000, a means tested bursary of up to £2,591 and a non-means tested grant of up to £2,324 per year.
As a University of Cumbria student, the amount you receive depends on:
-
whether you live on your own or with parents/guardians
-
your or your parents' or partner's income
Find out how much you're eligible for using the NHS bursary calculator.
See the table below for a break down of the maximum bursary payment.
Living in student/rented accommodation or your own home
|
Year
|
Non-means tested grant
|
Means tested bursary (maximum)
|
Non-means tested maintenance loan
|
|
1
|
£1,000
|
£2,591
|
£2,324
|
|
2
|
£1,000
|
£2,591
|
£2,324
|
|
Final year
|
£1,000
|
£2,591
|
£1,811
|
Living with your parents
Year
|
Non-means tested grant
|
Means tested bursary (maximum)
|
Non-means tested maintenance loan
|
|
1
|
£1,000
|
£2,163
|
£1,744
|
|
2
|
£1,000
|
£2,163
|
£1,744
|
Final year
|
£1,000
|
£2,163
|
£1,324
|
Who is eligible?
All UK* students on the following courses are eligible for the NHS Bursary:
How much tuition will I have to pay?
Absolutely none. The NHS pays the tuition costs for non-medical courses, so eligible students don't have to pay any tuition fees. If you're taking one of the courses above, you won't have to pay a penny.
Is that all the financial help I can get?
The NHS has several additional allowances available to students who:
-
are disabled
-
have dependent adults or children.
You may also be entitled to help with travel costs to your placements if it costs more than travelling to university. This is means-tested support.
You may also be eligible for our student support funds. Find out more about the financial help available to University of Cumbria students.
How do I apply for an NHS Bursary?
-
Obtain an estimate using the NHS bursary calculator
-
After we have made you an offer and you have accepted it as your first choice, the university will let the NHS know that we've offered you a place and they will get in touch with you
-
You will be asked to apply online through the NHS website
-
DipHE Nursing students only need to apply once for the whole course unless you are applying for the additional allowances. You need to re-apply each year for those as they are means tested and your circumstances may change
-
Health Professions degree students should re-apply each year.
How do I apply for a reduced rate student loan?
Please apply for your loan through your funding body, at your earliest opportunity.
When filling out your application form, ensure that you tick that you are receiving an NHS means-tested bursary. Remember that you will not be required to submit any financial information as your loan is not means-tested upon household income.
If you are from England, please apply online through Student Finance England
If you are from Scotland, please apply online through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
Students from Wales, apply through Student Finance Wales
Students from Northern Ireland, apply through Student Finance Northern Ireland
The application process opens in early 2012. Please ensure that you allow enough time for your application to be processed so that your funding can be paid at the start of your course. Remember that it can take between 5 and 10 working days for your first instalment of the student loan to reach you once you have registered on your course.
EU and international students
*Funding for EU and international students studying health courses is different to UK students.
EU students
Students from EU countries will have their tuition fees paid by the NHS. You will still need to apply online for your fees to be paid and provide identification documentation but you will not need to provide details of household income. Unfortunately, you will not be eligible to apply for an NHS bursary or a student loan for living costs.
International students
You will be able to apply to study on the BSc Physiotherapy and BSc Occupational Therapy courses, but unfortunately you will not be eligible for NHS funding. Please see our page for international students.