University scholarships and bursaries 2025

If you're struggling to pay for your degree, a range of scholarships and bursaries are available to UK and international students in 2025/26

What is a scholarship?

A scholarship is a financial award offered to students that can reduce the burden of paying for your university education. The money is typically used to help cover your tuition fees and living expenses.

Available from UK universities, government bodies and other organisations, scholarships are usually non-repayable, so you won't need to pay them back, as you would with an undergraduate student loan.

What is the difference between a scholarship and a bursary?

The main difference between the two funding methods is that bursaries and grants are typically means-tested. Your eligibility and the amount you receive from a bursary are dependent on your circumstances, or low family income, rather than your abilities and achievements.

By contrast, scholarships are usually awarded according to:

• academic achievement
• financial need
• talent, such as in music or sports
• widening participation, such as those from underrepresented backgrounds
• other conditions.

Each university or organisation will have its own policy for awarding scholarships and bursaries. Therefore, it's always advisable to check with the provider for its specific eligibility and application criteria.

What do scholarships cover?

The financial assistance provided by a scholarship can include:

• tuition fees - paid in full, a partial payment, or a fee reduction over one or multiple years of your course
• living expenses - a cash payment for your accommodation, food and local travel
• other benefits - overseas travel or specialist equipment for a disability.

In addition to scholarships aimed at undergraduate students, you can also consider Masters degree scholarships to fund postgraduate study.

What types of scholarships and bursaries are available?

Scholarships for academic achievement

These merit-based or subject-specific scholarships are often limited to students planning to study degrees in:

• accounting and finance
• agriculture
• business
• computer science
• engineering - civil or chemical
• health studies
• humanities - history, English literature or languages
• law
• medicine
• science - biology, chemistry, physics or environmental science
• statistics.

Some scholarships that focus on a particular subject include the opportunity to do an internship or industry work placement.

For example, those applying to do a foundation year at The University of Manchester in one of the following subjects can benefit from a bursary of up to £4,000:

• biosciences
• dentistry
• engineering
• medicine
• pharmacy
• science.

These foundation year bursaries enable students to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence required for a three-year degree during this 12-month course. Read more about why you should consider a foundation year.

Talent-based scholarships

The merit-based scholarships for musicians, filmmakers and performers may be related to the subject you're planning on studying, such as a creative arts degree in music or film. For instance, many conservatoires offer performing arts scholarships to undergraduate students.

Here are some of the scholarships available from universities, conservatoires and professional bodies:

• Loughborough University - arts and music scholarships consisting of a £200 cash prize and an additional £500 to cover tuition, mentoring, training and materials are available for talented artists, filmmakers, musicians, performers and writers.
• MetFilm School - a number of scholarships and bursaries are open to talented and dedicated film students who demonstrate passion, creativity, and potential.
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) - School of Music scholarships are based on ability and potential, and all students are eligible following an audition and an offer of a place.
• The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) - this global music education charity awards four annual undergraduate scholarships on the basis of merit to those studying for a four-year degree.

Sports scholarships are usually awarded according to a person's athletic ability and potential rather than their degree subject. You could be competing at a high level in a team or individual sport, such as:

• athletics
• football
• hockey
• swimming
• tennis.

However, sports-focused funding may also be available to those studying and researching sport and exercise science or sports coaching.

The range of sports scholarships on offer includes:

• University of Bath - those with the ability to compete for University National titles and study specific courses in the School of Management, Faculty of Engineering and Design, Faculty of Science or the Department of Economics may be eligible for the Bill Whiteley Sport Scholarship, which is worth up to £5,000.
• University of Lancashire - scholarships are available at bronze (up to £500), silver (£2,000) and gold (£5,000) levels (plus support packages of up to £2,000) for athletes looking to maintain their sporting activities alongside a full-time degree in sports such as basketball, golf, netball, rugby league, and women's football.
• University of Leeds - aspiring sports coaches can benefit from working with the Leeds Sport team and build on their National Governing Body (NGB) Level 1 or 2 qualification through a coaching scholarship, which includes a £300 bursary.
• Newcastle University - current undergraduates who have achieved success in their sport to a national or international standard can apply for a scholarship worth £5,000 and represent the university by competing in British Universities Colleges Sport (BUCS) events.

Financial need bursaries

These income-based bursaries or hardship funds are usually reserved for those from low-income backgrounds or those experiencing any unexpected financial challenges.

This type of funding is typically provided by universities, charities or trusts.

For instance, the Cambridge Bursary Scheme from the University of Cambridge is open to all undergraduates from low and middle-income families. They offer over 3,300 bursaries of up to £3,500 each year.

Alternatively, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) awards cash bursaries of £750 (for full-time degrees) and £375 (part-time courses) to eligible home students with a household income of £27,500 or less.

The BIMM Music Institute also provides assistance for students from low-income households, as well as other groups underrepresented in the creative industries. This three-year tuition fee scholarship is open to those studying courses in:

• creative technology
• film
• music
• performing arts.

Widening participation funding

Scholarships and bursaries are also available for groups that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education, including:

• individuals from low-income families
• first-generation students, i.e. the first in the family to go to university
• those from ethnic minority groups
• students with disabilities or those in care
• those living in an area where few students attend university.

Funding is also open to mature students who fall under one of the categories above.

Examples of widening participation funding include:

• University College London (UCL) - estranged students and care leavers can apply for £1,000 bursaries.
• University of Glasgow - a number of scholarships are available for unpaid carers, those with care experience and estranged students experiencing financial issues. For instance, those finding it difficult to go to university for financial and other circumstances are encouraged to apply for one of the 50 Undergraduate Talent Scholarships, which are worth £1,500 per academic year.
• University of Oxford - a bursary for UK undergraduates who have been in care and estranged students without any family support.

Study abroad opportunities

While it's harder to find scholarships for studying abroad as a UK student, there are a few options. However, you'll likely have to search for what's available on your university's funding pages.

Many universities are signed up to the Turing Scheme, which provides funding for international student placements. If this experience could be considered an integral part of your degree, whether optional or compulsory, you may be eligible.

For instance, UCL students who are undertaking a year or semester abroad placement as part of their degree programme can apply.

If you're still at school or college and would like to sample what studying in the United States would be like, you could consider applying for the Sutton Trust Fulbright US programme.

Read more about studying abroad.

Scholarships for studying in the UK

For international students interested in studying in the UK, the British Council's scholarships and funding page is a great place to start. You can filter the course search to 'undergraduate' study.

More funding opportunities are available at postgraduate level, including GREAT Scholarships and Chevening Scholarships, but you should still be able to find undergraduate scholarships and bursaries.

For example, if you're already enrolled on a Bachelors programme at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) in 2025/26, they have international scholarships worth £2,500 for each year of your degree. To be eligible, you must be paying full overseas tuition fees.

Again, if you have secured a place at the University of Oxford, the Reach Oxford Scholarship is available to new international students from low-income countries who cannot study in their own nation. This funding can be used to cover:

• tuition fees
• a living costs grant
• one return air ticket per year.

Get the lowdown on studying and living in the UK.

Where can I find undergraduate scholarships?

Scholarships are widely advertised for UK students looking to study Bachelors degrees.

The best way to find scholarships and bursaries is to:

• Visit funding pages on university websites - the majority of institutions have a dedicated scholarships or funding section that provides details on what's currently available to undergraduates. For example, the University of Birmingham has an undergraduate funding database, while the University of Bradford offers a scholarships and bursaries search facility.
• Explore university departments - individual department pages may also have information on scholarships for specific subjects and those open to all students. For instance, the University of Liverpool's Department of Computer Science has information on its Undergraduate Global Advancement Scholarship.
• Search online funding directories and grant search sites - databases such as The Scholarships Hub can help narrow down your search to funding related to your field of study. For those in financial difficulties, discover if you're eligible for support through the Turn2us Grants Search.
• Contact the student funding/student services teams - if you have any questions about the scholarships you may be eligible for, get in touch with university staff who can point you in the right direction.

You may also be able to find scholarships and bursaries via:

• Professional bodies - discover what's available from membership organisations in your field of study. For example, aspiring civil engineers can receive up to £8,000 as well as paid work placements through the QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
• Government and public sector organisations - if you're looking to study a degree in a professional field, you may be able to receive financial support. For those exploring a career in nursing, the National Health Service's (NHS) Learning Support Fund is available to help with training, childcare costs and other circumstances.
• Charities and trusts - search for non-profit grant organisations that align with your values. For instance, 14 annual schemes are advertised by The Leverhulme Trust, including art scholarships and bursaries.

How do I apply for an undergraduate scholarship?

Once you've done your research and have found a suitable scholarship, it's important to read the eligibility criteria and application instructions carefully.

For instance, all new students who apply for a course may be automatically put forward for an award. In other cases, you may need to need to make a separate application. Enquire with the university's student services team to confirm this.

If you are required to submit a scholarship application, this may involve:

• submitting relevant academic transcripts
• providing references or letters of recommendation, such as from teachers or sports coaches
• writing a personal statement, outlining your key skills, achievements and goals, including any extra-curricular activities
• supplying other supporting documents, such as a CV or test scores.

Finally, applicants need to be aware of and stick to deadlines and follow any specific instructions, as set out on the provider's scholarship page.

What about applications for talent-based scholarships?

In addition to the above, you could also be assessed through:

• interviews
• auditions
• creative portfolios.

The university admissions staff may also ask you to provide your current level of achievement at national or international level.

When should I apply for a scholarship?

It's advisable to start the process early and apply well in advance, as some competitive scholarships can be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

For instance, the sports scholarships at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) must be submitted by 12 May in the year you intend to start your degree. Applicants will then be shortlisted, and conditional scholarship offers will be made to the successful candidates.

Am I eligible to apply if I've already started my degree?

Many scholarships have rolling deadlines, so you may be able to apply for one once you've started university. In your second or third year, there may be limited options available.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

Yes. In most instances, there's nothing stopping you from applying for multiple scholarships, especially if you're eligible. However, the process may be longer, as you'll need to ensure that the terms of one don't prevent you from securing another.

Find out more

• Follow the process for getting into university.
• Discover how to save money as a student.
• Explore student jobs at university.
• Get some ideas on possible side hustles.