Bursary Calculator UK 2025/26

University Bursary Calculator UK

Estimate your potential university bursary funding based on household income and personal circumstances for 2025/26.

Household Income (£/year)

Total household income before tax

University Type

Russell Group universities often offer higher bursaries

Your Circumstances (select all that apply)

I am a care leaver (in local authority care for 13+ weeks after age 14)

I am estranged from my family

I am the first in my family to attend university

I have a disability, long-term health condition, or specific learning difficulty

I am a young carer

I am a refugee or asylum seeker

Course Length

Study Location

Types of Student Funding

Understanding the different types of financial support available to university students:

University Bursaries

Non-repayable grants from your university based on household income. Usually awarded automatically.

Scholarships

Merit-based awards for academic excellence, sports, music, or other achievements. Require applications.

Maintenance Loan

Government loan for living costs. Amount depends on household income and where you study.

Disabled Students' Allowance

Extra funding for students with disabilities, mental health conditions, or learning difficulties.

Key Difference

Bursaries and grants don't need to be repaid. They're essentially free money to help with your studies. Student loans, on the other hand, are repaid after graduation once you earn over the threshold (currently £25,000).

Russell Group University Bursaries 2025/26

Russell Group universities typically offer more generous bursary schemes. Here are examples from leading universities:

University of Oxford

Income under £27,500 Up to £4,100/year

Income £27,500-£48,500 Reduced amount

University of Cambridge

Income under £25,000 Up to £3,500/year

Income £25,000-£62,215 £500-£3,500

Imperial College London

Income under £35,000 £5,000/year

Income £35,000-£60,000 £2,000-£4,000

UCL

Income under £25,000 £3,000/year

Income £25,000-£42,875 £1,000-£2,000

Important

Bursary amounts and income thresholds change each year. Always check your specific university's website for the most up-to-date information. Some universities have higher thresholds or additional criteria.

Typical Bursary Income Thresholds

Household Income	Typical Bursary (Russell Group)	Typical Bursary (Other)
Under £16,000	£2,000 - £5,000/year	£1,000 - £2,500/year
£16,000 - £25,000	£1,500 - £3,500/year	£750 - £2,000/year
£25,000 - £35,000	£1,000 - £2,500/year	£500 - £1,500/year
£35,000 - £42,875	£500 - £1,500/year	£0 - £1,000/year
£42,875 - £60,000	Some universities only	Usually none
Over £60,000	Usually none	Usually none

Support for Care Leavers

If you've been in local authority care, you may be entitled to significant additional support:

University Support

Care Leaver Bursary
£2,000 - £3,000 per year (non-repayable)
365-day Accommodation
Many universities offer year-round housing
Named Contact
Dedicated support person throughout your studies
Starter Pack
Help with initial costs (bedding, kitchen items)

Government Support

Higher Maintenance Loan
Maximum loan regardless of parental income
Leaving Care Grant
Up to £3,000 one-off payment (from local authority)
Setting Up Home Allowance
Help with accommodation deposits
Ongoing Support
Personal adviser until age 25

Care Leaver Covenant

Many universities are signatories to the Care Leaver Covenant, committing to provide extra support. Look for the covenant logo when choosing your university.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

DSA provides extra funding if you have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty like dyslexia.

Allowance Type	Maximum Amount (2025/26)
Specialist Equipment Allowance	£6,968 (one-off for whole course)
Non-medical Helper Allowance	£27,117 per year
General Allowance	£2,092 per year
Travel Costs	Reasonable additional costs

What DSA Can Cover

Specialist computer equipment and software
Note-takers or sign language interpreters
Study skills tutors (for dyslexia support)
Mental health mentoring

Assistive technology training
Extra travel costs due to disability
Ergonomic furniture if needed
Voice recognition software

DSA is Not Income-Assessed

Unlike bursaries, DSA is available regardless of household income. It doesn't affect your other student finance and doesn't need to be repaid.

How to Apply for Bursaries

Automatic Bursaries

Most income-based bursaries are awarded automatically:

Apply for student finance via Student Finance England
Your household income is assessed
This information is shared with your university
Bursary is awarded based on your income
Payment made directly to your bank account

Application-Based Awards

Some funding requires separate applications:

Subject-specific scholarships
Merit/academic excellence awards
Sports or music scholarships
External trust funds and charities
Care leaver support (may need evidence)

Deadlines Matter

Apply for student finance as early as possible (applications usually open in late February for September starters). Late applications may delay your bursary payments. For scholarships, check individual deadlines carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a university bursary?

A bursary is a financial award given by universities to students who meet certain criteria, usually based on household income. Unlike student loans, bursaries don't need to be repaid. They're designed to help cover living costs, books, equipment, and other expenses during your studies. Most universities automatically assess you for their bursary scheme when you apply for student finance.

How much can I get from a university bursary?

Bursary amounts vary significantly between universities. Typical income-based bursaries range from £500 to £3,000 per year, with some Russell Group universities offering up to £5,000. Care leavers often receive additional support of £2,000 to £3,000 per year. Over a 3-year degree, total bursary support could exceed £9,000-£15,000.

Do I need to apply for a bursary separately?

Most income-based bursaries are awarded automatically based on your Student Finance household income assessment—you don't need to apply separately. However, some bursaries (especially subject-specific scholarships or merit awards) do require separate applications. Care leaver bursaries usually require you to declare your status and may need evidence. Always check your university's specific requirements.

What household income qualifies for a bursary?

Most universities offer bursaries to students from households earning under £42,875 (the maximum household income threshold for Student Finance means-tested support). The highest bursaries typically go to those with household incomes under £25,000. Some universities (particularly Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial) have higher thresholds, offering smaller bursaries to households earning up to £60,000.

Can I get a bursary if I'm an independent student?

Yes. If you're assessed as an 'independent' student by Student Finance (age 25+, married, care leaver, or estranged from parents), your bursary eligibility is based on your own income, not your parents'. Independent students with low personal income often qualify for maximum bursaries. You'll need to provide evidence of your independent status.

Do bursaries affect my benefits or student loan?

University bursaries generally don't affect your maintenance loan amount. However, for means-tested benefits (like Universal Credit), some bursaries may be counted as income—though educational grants up to a certain amount are usually disregarded. If you're receiving benefits, check with your local benefits office for specific guidance on how bursaries might affect your entitlement.

What if my circumstances change during my studies?

If your household income changes significantly (e.g., a parent loses their job), you should inform Student Finance England. They can reassess your entitlement and this may affect your bursary for the following year. Some universities also have hardship funds for students whose circumstances change mid-year. Contact your university's student services team.

Are postgraduate students eligible for bursaries?

Postgraduate funding works differently from undergraduate. There are fewer automatic bursaries, but many universities offer postgraduate scholarships and funded positions. The government provides Postgraduate Master's Loans (up to £12,471) and Doctoral Loans (up to £29,390). Some employers also offer postgraduate sponsorship. Research council funding is available for PhDs in certain subjects.

Louise Carter

MA Education Policy, AGCAS Registered

Louise is a university careers adviser with over 12 years of experience in student funding and welfare support. She has helped thousands of students navigate bursaries, scholarships, and financial aid applications.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on typical UK university bursary schemes for 2025/26. Actual bursary amounts vary significantly between universities and change each year. Always verify funding details with your specific university's student finance team. This tool is for guidance only and should not be relied upon as the sole source of information for financial planning.

Bursary Calculator UK 2025/26 | University Bursary Eligibility Checker