Lana Oconnell
The NHS bursary is a financial support scheme for students pursuing healthcare-related degrees in the UK. It covers tuition fees and provides a contribution towards living expenses for eligible students. While the bursary is available to foreign students, the eligibility criteria and application process differ for those who are not British nationals. The scheme is specifically designed for students enrolled in medical or dental-based courses, including nursing, midwifery, and allied health professions. To qualify, applicants must meet residency and nationality requirements, and the funding may be subject to conditions such as committing to work in the NHS post-qualification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of courses | Medical or dental-based courses |
| Available for foreign students? | Yes, but it does not work the same way as for British nationals. |
| Application process | Apply using the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) |
| Application platform | Bursary Online Support System (BOSS) |
| Application window | Open for 2025-2026 |
| Application frequency | Every academic year |
| Funding sources | NHS Wales Student Awards Service, Student Funding and Advice team, Student Finance England, NHS Learning Support Fund, NHS BSA, The Funding Clinic, Student Loans Company, College of Paramedics, etc. |
| Funding type | Tuition fee contribution, maintenance costs, travel and accommodation costs, specialist subject payment, hardship fund, etc. |
| Funding amount | Up to £9,535 for an undergraduate course lasting 5 or 6 years, up to £3,830 for a graduate entry course lasting 3 or 4 years, £1,000 non-means-tested grant, £5,000 annual training grant, £100 - £3,000 hardship grant, £2,497 dependant's allowance, £560 for each child after the first, £1,228 parents' learning allowance, etc. |
| Conditions | Students must commit to working in the NHS in Wales post-qualification |
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What You'll Learn
International students' residence eligibility
To qualify for an NHS bursary, international students must meet the residency and nationality criteria. Although the bursary is available for foreign students, it does not work in the same way as it does for British nationals.
If you are a UK national, Irish citizen, or have settled status in the UK, there is no limit to how long you can stay in the country, and you will meet the residency criteria. If you are not from England, there are still several reasons why you might be eligible for funding during your medical or dental studies in the UK. For example, if you have been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK, you may be eligible for an NHS bursary.
If you are a postgraduate social work student, you may be able to receive a bursary from the Scottish Social Services Council. This funding is reviewed annually and currently includes tuition fee contributions and a maintenance grant.
Some students from Wales who are studying medicine or dentistry are eligible for NHS funding through the Student Awards Service. If you are a medical or dental student who ordinarily resides in Wales, you could be eligible for an NHS Wales Bursary. To be eligible for the NHS Wales funding, you must generally be enrolled in an undergraduate medical or dental degree and be in at least your fifth year of study.
If you are an international student studying an undergraduate medical or dental course as a second degree, you may still be eligible to apply for the NHS bursary from the fifth year of your course, provided you meet the residency conditions.
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NHS bursary application process
The NHS bursary is available for eligible medical or dental students who normally live in England and are English residents on the first day of their first academic year. The NHS bursary is also available for foreign students, although it does not work in the same way as it does for British nationals.
To qualify for an NHS bursary, you must meet the residency and nationality criteria, and be studying a medical or dental-based course. These include:
- Dental therapy/dental hygiene (Level 5 and Level 6 courses only)
- Speech and language therapy
- Nursing (includes adult, child, mental health, learning disability and joint nursing/social work)
The application window for 2025 to 2026 is now open. To apply, you need to register for an NHS Bursary account or sign in to your existing account. If you have received an NHS bursary before, you will be sent an email inviting you to apply. You need to apply within 9 months of the start of the academic year for your application to be accepted. You will need to apply using the Bursary Online Support System (BOSS). The application form should take around 30-45 minutes to complete.
If your application is successful, the NHS will pay a tuition fee contribution directly to your university. For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, the tuition fee contribution rates are up to £9,535 for an undergraduate course lasting 5 or 6 years, and up to £3,830 for a graduate entry course lasting 3 or 4 years. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to more support. For example, you can claim for some travel and accommodation costs for practice placements in hospitals or community health centres that are not at your university.
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Qualifying courses for NHS bursary
The NHS offers financial support to students through various options. The NHS Student Bursary is an extra payment made to students on qualifying NHS-funded medical and dental courses to help with living expenses. The NHS Bursary provides funding for eligible medical or dental students who normally live in England. The NHS Wales Bursary Scheme is available for new students starting an eligible healthcare course, providing financial support for tuition fees and living costs. Students who apply for NHS funding can access a non-means-tested maintenance loan of up to £11,345.00 (Wales) or £2,753.00 (England).
Qualifying courses for the NHS Bursary include standard five-year courses in medicine and dentistry. Students on two-year courses in Wales need to commit to working for the NHS in Wales for 18 months after graduating. The NHS Wales Bursary Scheme is not limited to Welsh students, but all students must commit to working in Wales after completing their course. Students residing in England who wish to study in Wales should apply via the NHS Wales website.
The NHS Social Work Bursary is available to students who live in England and are studying a university-based social work course approved by specific organisations. The NHS Learning Support Fund is available to students studying nursing, midwifery, and allied health professional (AHP) courses. From the 2025-2026 academic year, eligible students on undergraduate pharmacy or pre-registration healthcare science courses can access the travel and accommodation part of the NHS Learning Support Fund.
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Funding for international students
Scholarships, Grants, and Bursaries
Scholarships are the most common form of funding available for international students. They are typically awarded based on academic ability, potential, or talent in areas like sports or music. Scholarships may cover tuition fees in full, reduce them, or contribute to living costs.
Bursaries and grants based on personal circumstances, such as financial need, are less common. They are usually one-off payments to help with specific costs like travel or settling in.
Some examples of scholarships and bursaries for international students include:
- Commonwealth Scholarships - These financially support students from developing Commonwealth countries pursuing postgraduate studies in the UK. They typically cover tuition, transport, and offer a monthly allowance.
- GREAT Scholarships - These are offered to students from certain countries to support their tuition fees for a range of one-year postgraduate courses.
- Equal Access or Sanctuary Scholarships - These are available for refugees and asylum seekers who have fled persecution in their home country. They can take the form of tuition fee reductions or waivers, or maintenance awards.
Government Student Finance
Each of the four nations in the UK—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—offers different types and levels of financial support for students. International students may be eligible for UK student finance, which can include support for tuition fees, living costs, and course-related expenses. However, eligibility criteria must be met, and prior receipt of financial support from the UK government for a higher education course may impact eligibility.
NHS Bursary
The NHS Bursary is a source of funding available for eligible medical and dental students. While it is primarily for British nationals, foreign students may qualify for certain aspects of the bursary. It provides five forms of cover: a means-tested bursary, a non-means-tested grant, a contribution to tuition fees, additional funding based on personal circumstances, and a reduction of the student's maintenance loan.
University-Specific Funding
Many universities in the UK offer various bursaries, grants, and scholarships for international students. These awards are designed to attract students from overseas and help them with the costs of studying away from home.
Country-Specific Opportunities
Some countries offer specific funding opportunities for their citizens interested in studying abroad. For example, the Chevening Scholarships provide fully funded master's degrees in the UK for students from eligible countries.
In summary, there are a variety of funding options available for international students in the UK, including scholarships, grants, bursaries, and government student finance. It is important for students to research the eligibility criteria and application processes for each funding opportunity to maximize their chances of securing financial support.
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NHS bursary vs student loan
The NHS bursary is a non-repayable grant programme for English medical students in their fifth and sixth years of study. Students receive a yearly payment from the NHS to help them with their studies and living costs if they are studying to become a doctor or a dentist. The NHS bursary is also eligible for students in their foundation year. The NHS bursary is available for UK residents, but the amount received varies based on factors such as location, course, previous study experience, and household income. It is essential to note that the NHS bursary does not cover the entire tuition fee, and students may need to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the remaining costs.
On the other hand, student loans are available for students in their first four years of study. These loans are meant to cover maintenance and tuition fees. From the fifth year onwards, students can apply for a means-tested NHS bursary to support maintenance costs and a reduced maintenance loan. The NHS bursary is paid in 12 equal monthly instalments, while the maintenance loan is typically paid at the beginning of each term.
The NHS bursary is ideal for students who want to avoid taking on debt. Although the NHS bursary may reduce the amount of the maintenance loan, it can still provide sufficient funding for living costs. Additionally, the NHS bursary does not need to be repaid, which is a significant advantage over student loans.
In contrast, student loans offer a more straightforward and guaranteed source of funding. They provide a fixed amount of financial support, ensuring that students can cover their tuition and maintenance costs. Student loans are also available to those who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the NHS bursary, such as students studying nursing, midwifery, or allied health professional courses.
Both the NHS bursary and student loans have their advantages and limitations. The NHS bursary stands out for its non-repayable nature, providing a valuable option for students concerned about debt. However, it may not cover all expenses, and the means-tested nature of the bursary can result in varying levels of funding between individuals. Student loans, on the other hand, offer a more standardised and predictable source of funding but come with the obligation of repayment. Ultimately, the choice between the NHS bursary and student loans depends on individual circumstances, financial needs, and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
The NHS bursary is available for foreign students, but it does not work in the same way as it does for British nationals. After Brexit, residence eligibility is complex. Students registered with the EU Settlement Scheme and Irish nationals living in the UK may be eligible.
You will need to apply for the NHS bursary using the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). You will need to apply using the Bursary Online Support System (BOSS). Applying for the bursary is straightforward and your application will not take long to review.
The NHS bursary is funding that you won't have to pay back. It can be used to cover tuition fees and maintenance costs.
Only medical or dental-based courses can qualify for the NHS bursary. These include dental therapy, dental hygiene, speech and language therapy, and nursing.
