Becoming a doctor or dentist is a big goal, but it can be very costly. With long nights studying and many exams, worrying about how to pay for your education is the last thing you need. The NHS Bursary can help ease this worry. It supports students in medical or dental school so they can focus on their studies.
What Does the NHS Bursary Offer?
The NHS Bursary provides several types of financial help:
- Non-Means Tested Bursary: This is a set amount of £1,000 for all eligible students, no matter their financial situation.
- Means-Tested Bursary: This is extra money based on your or your family’s income. You could get:
- Up to £3,191 if you study in London and live away from home.
- Up to £2,643 if you study outside London and live away from home.
- Up to £2,207 if you live at home.
- Tuition Fee Contribution: This helps pay your university fees, up to £9,250 for undergraduate courses and up to £3,715 for graduate entry courses.
- Additional Allowances: You might also get more help, such as:
- Dependants’ Allowance
- Parent Learning Allowance
- Childcare Allowance
- Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses
- Disabled Students Allowance
- Extra Weeks Allowance
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the NHS Bursary, you must meet these conditions:
- Course Eligibility:
- You must be studying to become a doctor or dentist.
- You should be in either a 5 or 6-year undergraduate course or a 3 or 4-year graduate entry course.
- Your course must be on the Office for Students’ list.
- If you received the NHS Bursary before, you can still apply.
- Residency Eligibility:
- You must normally live in England and be an English resident at the start of your first academic year.
- If you moved to England only for your studies, you cannot get the NHS Bursary.
- Repeat and Intercalation Years:
- If you repeat a year, you may get up to 12 months of extra bursary.
- An intercalation year in the first four years of your degree counts as a qualifying year.
Application Process
Here’s how to apply for the NHS Bursary:
- Create an Account: If you are applying for the first time, register for an NHS Bursary account at NHS Bursary website.
- Receive an Invitation: If you are a returning student, you will get an email invitation to apply for the next academic year.
- Submit Your Application: Complete and submit your application within nine months of your academic year starting.
- Provide Supporting Documents: If you are applying for the means-tested bursary, you will need to show proof of income or your family’s income, such as tax returns or bank statements.
- Await Approval: After submitting your application and documents, your university must confirm your attendance before your bursary is approved.
Application Deadline
The application period for the 2024-2025 academic year is now open. Apply within nine months of the start of your academic year. Applying early will help you get your financial support sooner.
Payment Schedule for 2024-2025
Once approved, the NHS Bursary is paid in three installments throughout the year, with dates varying by your academic start month:=
| Start Month | Term 2 Payment | Term 3 Payment |
|---|---|---|
| June | October 2024 | January 2025 |
| July | November 2024 | February 2025 |
| August | December 2024 | March 2025 |
| September | January 2025 | April 2025 |
| October | February 2025 | May 2025 |