STUDENT BURSARY / LSF

NHS Bursary Calculator (2025/26) — Estimate Your Healthcare Student Funding Instantly

This NHS student bursary calculator estimates healthcare student funding support for nursing, midwifery and allied health training pathways using the latest available bursary and training grant rules. Enter course type, study year, residency and eligible dependants to approximate bursary income for the academic year (verify 2025/26 or 2026/27 against official student finance tables). Use it before starting training or changing course mode. Final awards come from student finance bodies—not this estimate—so always confirm with the official calculator for your nation.

Total annual funding

£0

Monthly: £0

Training grant£0
Parental support£0
Travel£0
Total£0

Figures use NHS Employers AfC 2026/27 scales, HMRC tax/NI/student loan rules and NHS Pension tiers from 1 April 2026. Estimate only — your payslip is authoritative.

Use this NHS Bursary Calculator to find out how much funding you could receive as a healthcare student in the United Kingdom in 2025/26. Enter your course type, study location, household income, and whether you have dependent children to generate your personalised estimate in seconds.

This calculator covers the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) for nursing, midwifery, and allied health profession students in England, the NHS Bursary Scheme for medical and dental students in England, and the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme for eligible students studying in Wales. All figures are updated for the academic year 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026.

Select your details to calculate your NHS bursary:

Input Field

Your Options

Nation of study

England / Wales / Scotland / Northern Ireland

Course type

Nursing / Midwifery / Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy / Dietetics / Radiography / Speech & Language Therapy / Podiatry / Orthoptics / Prosthetics & Orthotics / Operating Department Practice / Dental Therapy / Paramedics / Medicine (Year 5+) / Dentistry (Year 5+) / Pharmacy (TDAE only)

Study mode

Full-time / Part-time

Living situation

Away from home – outside London / Away from home – London / Living with parents

Household income

Enter £ amount

Dependent children?

Yes / No → how many / ages

Eligible specialism?

Mental Health Nursing / Learning Disability Nursing / Diagnostic Radiography / Other

Is this a second degree?

Yes / No

Your estimated results:

  • Training Grant (non-means-tested): £5,000/year
  • Specialist Subject Payment (if eligible): £1,000/year
  • Parental Support (if eligible): £2,000/year
  • Non-means-tested medical/dental grant: £1,052/year
  • Means-tested maintenance bursary: calculated from your income
  • Tuition fee contribution (medical/dental): up to £9,535/year
  • Total estimated award: £X,XXX/year
  • Repayable: No
  • Payment schedule: 3 instalments per academic year

What Is an NHS Bursary?

Infographic explaining What Is an NHS Bursary? for NHS pay and benefits — covers: What Is an NHS Bursary?.
Visual: what Is an NHS Bursary?.

An NHS bursary is a non-repayable grant paid by the UK government to eligible students studying pre-registration healthcare courses. It does not need to be repaid after graduation. It is not a loan and does not appear on your credit record.

The phrase "NHS bursary" covers two separate funding systems that operate side by side in England:

System 1 — NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF): 8The Training Grant is a non-means-tested grant of £5,000 each academic year for eligible students. 2Students starting and continuing their course from 1 September 2020 onwards can apply for NHS LSF if they're on an eligible pre-registration undergraduate or postgraduate course. This system covers nursing, midwifery, and allied health profession students in England.

System 2 — NHS Bursary Scheme (Medical & Dental): 14The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) Student Services is responsible for administering the NHS Bursary Scheme to eligible medical and dental students on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care. 14NHS Bursary funding is administered to eligible students under the arrangements set out in the NHS Bursary Scheme for the academic year from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026.

Both systems are separate from — and paid on top of — your Student Finance England maintenance loan.

The legal authority for NHS Bursary payments is Section 63(6) of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968. 15The NHS Bursary Scheme new rules (14th edition) for the academic year 2025 to 2026 were published on 7 April 2025 and apply to England.


Who Is Eligible for an NHS Bursary?

Infographic explaining Who Is Eligible for an NHS Bursary? for NHS pay and benefits — covers: Who Is Eligible for an NHS Bursary?.
Visual: who Is Eligible for an NHS Bursary?.

Eligibility depends on three factors: your nation of study, your course type, and your residency status.

England — NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF): Eligible Courses

9 The NHS LSF applies to new and continuing nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students who are: attending a higher education institution in England in the 2025/26 academic year; in active study, whether academic or practice learning; and eligible for both maintenance and tuition fee loan support from the Student Loans Company. 1 Training grant eligible students study in the following areas: nursing, midwifery, and many other allied health profession courses. The specialist subject payment of £1,000 applies for students on degrees that struggle to recruit, including mental health and learning disability nursing.

The full list of courses eligible for the NHS LSF Training Grant in England includes:

  • Adult Nursing
  • Mental Health Nursing
  • Learning Disability Nursing
  • Children's Nursing
  • Community Nursing
  • Midwifery
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Dietetics
  • Podiatry / Chiropody
  • Diagnostic Radiography
  • Therapeutic Radiography
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Orthoptics
  • Prosthetics and Orthotics
  • Operating Department Practice (ODP)
  • Dental Therapy / Dental Hygiene (Level 5 and 6 only)
  • Paramedics (BSc and MSc only — DipHE and Foundation Degree courses are not eligible)

From 2025/26, pharmacy and healthcare science courses gained partial access. 5From 1 September 2025, eligible new and continuing students studying undergraduate pharmacy or pre-registration healthcare science courses are able to claim reimbursement towards practice placement expenses through the Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) element of NHS LSF. They are not eligible for any of the other NHS LSF allowances.

5 Foundation years are not eligible for NHS LSF. 6 The NHS LSF is not available for any post-registration or Continuing Professional Development courses.

Who Is NOT Eligible for NHS LSF?

9 You will not be eligible if you are paid for time off by your employer to attend your course and continue to receive a wage or salary whilst you train, or if you are in receipt of salary support as provided by an NHS trust or other NHS entity, including NHS England, during any part of your course.

England — NHS Bursary Scheme: Medical and Dental Students

13 Medical and dental students can apply for an NHS bursary in the later years of their course. The scheme applies from year five of a standard five- or six-year undergraduate medical degree, or from year one of a graduate-entry medical programme. 13 Intercalating years at bachelors or masters (but not PhD) level can count towards the qualifying year of study for NHS Bursary funding.

Wales — NHS Wales Bursary Eligibility

25 The NHS Wales Bursary Schemes, administered by Student Awards Services, offer financial support to healthcare students enrolled in NHS-funded courses in Wales. 28 Health Education course commissioned students on full-time programmes are eligible to apply for the bursary (a full list of courses and current providers can be found in the NHS Wales Bursary Terms and Conditions May 2025 document). 28 The NHS Wales bursary scheme is coordinated by HEIW in collaboration with NWSSP, Universities, Health Boards and NHS Trusts.


How Much Is the NHS Bursary in 2025/26? (All Exact Amounts)

NHS Learning Support Fund — England (Nursing, Midwifery, AHPs)

The NHS LSF provides a package of non-repayable grants. No component is a loan.

1. Training Grant — £5,000 per year (non-means-tested)

5 You can apply for a Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year, or a pro rata amount for part-time students. Every eligible full-time student receives the same £5,000 — it is not reduced by household income.

2. Specialist Subject Payment (SSP) — £1,000 per year (non-means-tested)

5 Students on certain courses can get a Specialist Subject Payment, which is an extra £1,000. 4 Additional payments worth up to a total of £1,000 per academic year apply for specialisms such as Mental Health, Learning Disability, and Diagnostic Radiography. 8 If you are eligible for SSP, it will be added to your NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) account when you apply for the Training Grant. If your course includes one of the above subjects and leads to dual registration, you can get SSP — for example, if you're studying adult and mental health nursing.

3. Parental Support — £2,000 per year (non-means-tested)

5 If you have at least one dependent child under 15 years old (or under 17 if registered with special educational needs) you can also receive Parental Support. 2 Parental Support is £2,000 per year. To qualify you need to have at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs.

4. Exceptional Support Fund — up to £3,000 per year

3 The NHS Learning Support Fund offers eligible students a non-repayable package that includes up to £3,000 per year exceptional support in the case of severe hardship.

5. Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE)

2 TDAE reimburses excess travel and accommodation costs while you are on your practice placement. This is a reimbursement paid retrospectively after you submit evidence of placement travel costs above your normal daily travel.

Full NHS LSF Package Summary (England, 2025/26):

Component

Amount

Means-Tested?

Repayable?

Training Grant

£5,000/year

No

No

Specialist Subject Payment

£1,000/year

No

No

Parental Support

£2,000/year

No

No

Exceptional Support Fund

Up to £3,000/year

Assessed

No

TDAE

Actual costs reimbursed

No

No

Maximum non-means-tested total

£8,000/year


NHS Bursary — Medical and Dental Students (England, 2025/26)

10 A grant of £1,052 is available for all NHS bursary students; this is not means-tested. 12 All eligible students receive the full £1,052 per year for the non-means-tested grant, regardless of household income.

Tuition Fee Contribution (paid directly to your university):

10 For an undergraduate medical or dental degree (5–6 years), the NHS pays up to £9,535 in tuition fees. For a graduate-entry accelerated degree (3–4 years), the NHS pays up to £3,830 — or more if studying in Northern Ireland. 12 For English students studying in Northern Ireland, the maximum amount of tuition fee contribution goes up to £4,047.

Means-Tested Maintenance Bursary (maximum 2025/26 rates):

10 The amount reduces if your household income is above £27,423; students from higher-income households may not receive a bursary. Maximum rates are: up to £3,356 if you live in London; up to £2,780 if you live elsewhere; up to £2,321 if you live with your parents. 16 In the academic year 2025–26, eligible students in years 2–4 can apply for a means-tested bursary of up to £2,780 (living away from home and outside of London) and a non-means-tested grant of £1,052.

Extra Weeks Allowance:

16 Students can apply for an Extra Weeks Allowance of £89 per week (in 2025–26) if their course runs for more than 30 weeks and 3 days (excluding vacations).

NHS Bursary Hardship Grant:

12 NHS Bursary Hardship Grant — medical and dental students in financial hardship can apply for a grant of between £100 and £3,000. This grant is awarded at the discretion of the NHSBSA.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA):

12 Students with a disability, learning difficulty, or health problem (physical or mental) can receive DSA. Up to £27,648 is available to fund a helper, specialist equipment, and other costs. If you've previously received DSA support from Student Finance England, apply to the NHSBSA instead in the years you're eligible for the NHS Bursary.

Full NHS Bursary Package Summary (Medical/Dental, England, 2025/26):

Component

Amount

Means-Tested?

Repayable?

Non-means-tested grant

£1,052/year

No

No

Tuition fee contribution (UG 5–6 yr)

Up to £9,535/year

No

No

Tuition fee contribution (GE 3–4 yr)

Up to £3,830/year

No

No

Means-tested maintenance bursary (elsewhere)

Up to £2,780/year

Yes

No

Means-tested maintenance bursary (London)

Up to £3,356/year

Yes

No

Means-tested maintenance bursary (parental home)

Up to £2,321/year

Yes

No

Extra Weeks Allowance

Up to £89/week

Yes

No

Hardship Grant

£100–£3,000

Assessed

No

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

Up to £27,648

No

No


How Is the NHS Bursary Calculated?

Calculation Method 1: NHS LSF (Nursing, Midwifery, AHPs — England)

The NHS LSF uses a flat-rate, non-means-tested model for its core components. 8The Training Grant is a non-means-tested grant of £5,000 each academic year for eligible students. Every eligible full-time student receives the same amount. Household income does not reduce your Training Grant, Specialist Subject Payment, or Parental Support.

For part-time students: 5You can apply for a Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year, or a pro rata amount for part-time students.

Calculation Method 2: NHS Bursary (Medical & Dental — England)

The means-tested bursary component for medical and dental students is calculated based on residual household income — the income of your parent(s), spouse, partner, or civil partner after standard deductions. 10The amount reduces if your household income is above £27,423; students from higher-income households may not receive a bursary at all.

If declared income exceeds the maximum threshold, 11the total income being more than the total allowances plus tuition fee contribution means no NHS Bursary support (including tuition fees for medical or dental students) will be available.

Sources of student income that count in the assessment include pensions, sponsorships, and bank or building society interest. Income from part-time or casual work is not counted in the assessment.

Calculation Method 3: NHS Wales Bursary (Means-Tested)

32 The maximum amount of bursary available depends on the course you are applying for and your personal living arrangements. 'Residual income' refers to household income (excluding the potential student) and 'Contribution' refers to the amount that will be deducted from the maximum bursary amount as a result of the household income.

In Wales, 25one component is a non-means-tested NHS grant of £1,000, and the other is a means-tested NHS bursary which can reach up to £4,491. The amount of bursary you receive depends on the duration of your course and your household income.


NHS Bursary Payment Dates 2025/26

NHS LSF — When Are Payments Made?

20 Funding is scheduled over the academic year and is paid in 3 instalments. Your university must confirm your attendance in term 1 for your first instalment to be paid. You must confirm your term 2 and 3 attendance in your NHS LSF account. Once you've done this, your university can check your details and confirm. 19 Training grant payments are paid in three instalments over the academic year. If your academic year commences in autumn, training grant payments will normally be credited to your bank account in November, March, and July. 18 NHS LSF payments are staggered across three terms in between your student finance payments. This allows you to receive a steady stream of funding throughout the academic year. 18 For new or continuing students whose academic year starts in September/October, NHSBSA Student Services opens invites to allow the University to confirm your attendance from 1 November. Once this is done your payments will be scheduled. You may notice an expected payment date in your account. This is an approximate date; depending on when your university confirms your attendance, you may receive your first payment earlier or later than this date. 20 Payments may be earlier or later than the dates stated depending on when you and your university confirm attendance. Payments cannot be fast tracked. The payments section in your NHS LSF account will show your actual payment dates.

2025/26 Payment Schedule (September/October start):

Term

Payment Month

Term 1

November 2025

Term 2

March 2026

Term 3

July 2026

For January starters: payments fall in March, July, and November.

NHS Bursary (Medical & Dental) — Payment Dates

12 The NHS Bursary is paid to you in three termly instalments throughout the year. The payment dates differ depending on the start month of your academic year.


How to Apply for the NHS Bursary

England — NHS LSF (Nursing, Midwifery, AHPs): Step-By-Step

Step 1: Apply for Student Finance England (SFE) first. You must have an active student loan application and a student finance award letter before you can complete your NHS LSF application.

Step 2: Create your NHS LSF account.

5 You can apply for NHS LSF by creating an NHS Learning Support Fund account. 5 You should not apply on any other systems as your application will be rejected.

Step 3: Upload your student finance award letter.

8 You can apply for the Training Grant (and SSP, if applicable) through your NHS LSF account at the start of each academic year. If you've applied for a student loan, you'll need to upload your student finance award letter when you apply. If you have not applied for a student loan, you'll need to upload identification such as a passport or driving licence.

Step 4: Submit your application within 6 months of your course start.

5 You need to apply within 6 months of the start of your academic year. Applying as early as possible increases the chance of receiving your first payment at the start of term.

Step 5: Your university confirms your attendance.

18 For new or continuing students whose academic year starts in September/October, NHSBSA Student Services opens invites to allow the University to confirm your attendance from 1 November. Once this is done your payments will be scheduled.

Step 6: Receive your payments in three instalments.

Reapplication — annual requirement:

5 You'll keep your NHS LSF account and will need to reapply each year. 5 If you're a continuing student, an email to re-apply will be sent to you so you can make a timely application for the start of your academic year.

England — NHS Bursary (Medical & Dental, Year 5+): Step-By-Step

Step 1: Register for an NHS Bursary account through the NHSBSA website (nhsbsa.nhs.uk).

Step 2: 13Check the application deadlines to make sure you apply at the right time. Detailed advice and information about NHS bursary funding, including the full eligibility criteria, is available in the NHSBSA guidance booklet.

Step 3: Submit evidence of income (dependent or independent student status, household income, number of dependants).

Step 4: 11If you are eligible for an NHS Bursary, and you have completed the bursary application process by the required deadline, the NHSBSA will pay the standard tuition fee contribution to your medical or dental school on your behalf.

Step 5: Your means-tested maintenance bursary and non-means-tested grant (£1,052) are paid to you in three termly instalments.


NHS LSF vs Student Loan — Can You Get Both?

Yes. The NHS LSF is paid on top of your standard Student Finance England maintenance loan. They are administered by separate bodies and do not affect each other's calculation.

7 In addition to NHS LSF payments, you can also take out a student loan from the Student Loans Company, even if this is your second degree.

Exception for paramedics as a second degree: 7If you are studying paramedicine as a second degree, you are not currently eligible to access loans from the Student Loans Company, but you may be able to receive the NHS Learning Support Fund. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Medical and dental students in bursary years also receive a reduced-rate maintenance loan from Student Finance England alongside their NHS Bursary. 10You can still apply for student finance, but you'll only get a fixed reduced-rate maintenance loan in a bursary year.


Do You Have to Pay Back the NHS Bursary?

No. Every component of the NHS Learning Support Fund and NHS Bursary Scheme is a non-repayable grant. 3The NHS Learning Support Fund offers eligible students a non-repayable package that includes the £5,000 per year training grant, £2,000 per year parental support for students with child dependants, and up to £3,000 per year exceptional support in the case of severe hardship.

The NHS bursary is never recovered through the student loans repayment system. It does not appear as a liability on the Student Loans Company's records. No repayment threshold, no interest rate, and no automatic deductions from future salary apply.

Wales exception: The NHS Wales Bursary Scheme includes a work commitment clause. Students who do not fulfil the required period of employment in Wales after qualifying may be required to repay a portion of their bursary funding under the terms of the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme Terms and Conditions (V5, May 2025). Students must commit to work in Wales for the required period as a condition of receiving funding.


NHS Wales Bursary Scheme — Full Explainer

25 The NHS Wales Bursary Schemes, administered by Student Awards Services, offer financial support to healthcare students enrolled in NHS-funded courses in Wales. 28 The NHS Wales bursary scheme is coordinated by HEIW in collaboration with NWSSP, Universities, Health Boards, and NHS Trusts.

Wales bursary components include:

25 The NHS provides financial support through various options. One is a non-means-tested NHS grant of £1,000. Another is a means-tested NHS bursary which can reach up to £4,491. The amount of bursary you receive depends on the duration of your course and your household income.

Tuition fees in Wales:

30 Some pre-registration healthcare programme students have mistakenly been advised they will need to contribute towards their tuition fees. All applicants are reassured this is not the case. 25 Tuition fees are covered in full by the NHS so no tuition fee payment is required.

Additional allowances available in Wales:

28 If eligible, students will be supported for costs such as travel, accommodation (whilst on placement), Childcare, Disabled Student Allowance, Dependents Allowance, and Parental Learning Allowance.

Wales Means-Test Reduction Table (example figures):

Household Residual Income

Bursary Reduced By

Under £24,279

Nil

£27,500

£384

£30,000

£647

£40,000

£1,699

£50,000

£2,752

£60,000

£3,805

£75,000

£5,384

£99,833

£7,998

Source: NWSSP Bursary Rates Document (nwssp.nhs.wales)

Maintenance loan access in Wales:

28 If eligible, students will have access (separately) to a maintenance loan, subject to the Student Loans Regulations.

Application system: Applications for the NHS Wales Bursary are made through the NWSSP Student Awards Services portal. Contact: HEIW.bursary@wales.nhs.uk


Means-Tested vs Non-Means-Tested: Clear Explanation

Students frequently confuse these two terms. Here is the exact distinction:

Feature

Non-Means-Tested

Means-Tested

Amount varies with income?

No — fixed for all

Yes — reduces as income rises

Who receives it?

Every eligible student equally

Depends on household income

England LSF examples

Training Grant (£5,000), SSP (£1,000), Parental Support (£2,000)

Exceptional Support Fund (hardship-assessed)

Medical/dental examples

Non-means-tested grant (£1,052)

Maintenance bursary (up to £2,780/£3,356/£2,321)

Wales examples

Non-means-tested grant (£1,000)

Means-tested bursary (up to £4,491)

Repayable?

No

No

Key rule to remember: The fact that a bursary is means-tested does not make it a loan. Both means-tested and non-means-tested NHS bursary components are grants — they are never repaid.


Additional Allowances: Full Breakdown

Childcare Allowance (CCA)

The Childcare Allowance funds registered childcare costs for students with dependent children. 16Grants such as Childcare Allowance (CCA), Disabled Student Allowances (DSA), Dependants Allowance, Parent Learning Allowance (PLA), and Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) are available to eligible students from the NHS Bursary Scheme.

Dependants Allowance

31 Dependants Allowance is a means-tested allowance payable to students who are responsible for people who are wholly or mainly financially dependent on them during their time in training.

Parent Learning Allowance (PLA)

PLA is available to students with dependent children who need additional support with course-related learning costs. It is a means-tested component of the NHS Bursary Scheme for medical and dental students.

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

12 Students with a disability, learning difficulty or health problem (physical or mental) can receive DSA. Up to £27,648 is available to fund a helper, specialist equipment and other costs.

TDAE (Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses)

2 TDAE allows you to claim for excess travel and accommodation costs while you are on your practice placement. This is paid retrospectively after submission of receipts. 3 For further information on rules and eligibility, visit: nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf. In addition to support from the NHS LSF, you can also still access tuition fee loans and maintenance loans from your Student Finance Authority, even if this is your second degree.


Frequently Asked Questions — 30 Direct Answers

What Is an NHS Bursary?

An NHS bursary is a non-repayable government grant for eligible UK healthcare students. It covers living costs and, for medical/dental students, tuition fees. It never needs to be repaid.

How Much Is the NHS Bursary?

10 A grant of £1,052 is available for all NHS bursary students (medical/dental); this is not means-tested. For nursing, midwifery, and AHP students: 8 the Training Grant is a non-means-tested grant of £5,000 each academic year.

Who Is Eligible for an NHS Bursary?

9 Eligible students are those attending a higher education institution in England in 2025/26, in active study (academic or practice learning), and eligible for both maintenance and tuition fee loan support from the Student Loans Company.

What Is the NHS Learning Support Fund?

3 The NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF) offers eligible students a non-repayable package that includes a £5,000 per year training grant, £2,000 per year parental support for students with child dependants, and up to £3,000 per year exceptional support in the case of severe hardship.

What Are the NHS Bursary Payment Dates in 2025/26?

19 Training grant payments are paid in three instalments over the academic year. If your academic year commences in autumn, training grant payments will normally be credited to your bank account in November, March, and July.

Do You Have to Pay Back an NHS Bursary?

No. 3The NHS Learning Support Fund offers eligible students a non-repayable package. No component of the NHS LSF or NHS Bursary Scheme is a loan.

Is the NHS Bursary Means-Tested?

It depends on the component. 8The Training Grant is a non-means-tested grant of £5,000 each academic year for eligible students. The maintenance bursary for medical and dental students is means-tested based on household income.

How Do I Apply for the NHS Bursary?

5 You can apply for NHS LSF by creating an NHS Learning Support Fund account. You'll keep this account and will need to reapply each year. You need to apply within 6 months of the start of your academic year.

Can I Get the NHS Bursary and a Student Loan at the Same Time?

7 In addition to NHS LSF payments, you can also take out a student loan from the Student Loans Company, even if this is your second degree.

What Is the NHS Bursary for Nursing Students?

Nursing students in England receive the NHS Learning Support Fund, which includes 1a training grant of £5,000 per year, parental support payment of £2,000 per student per year, and specialist subject payment of £1,000 per year for students on degrees that struggle to recruit, including mental health and learning disability nursing.

What Is the NHS Bursary for Medical Students?

13 Medical students can apply for an NHS bursary in the later years of their course. From year five of a standard 5- or 6-year degree, they receive the non-means-tested grant (£1,052), a means-tested maintenance bursary, and 10 tuition fee coverage of up to £9,535 for an undergraduate medical or dental degree.

Do Medical Students Pay Tuition Fees in the UK?

11 If eligible for an NHS Bursary, and the bursary application process is completed by the required deadline, the NHSBSA pays the standard tuition fee contribution to your medical or dental school on your behalf. In years before NHS Bursary eligibility begins, students fund fees via Student Finance England tuition fee loans.

What Is the NHS Bursary for Midwifery Students?

Midwifery is a fully eligible NHS LSF course. Midwifery students receive the £5,000 Training Grant per year, Parental Support (if applicable), Specialist Subject Payment (if applicable), and TDAE reimbursement for placement travel.

What Is the NHS Bursary for Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is an eligible NHS LSF course. 4A non-repayable Training Grant of £5,000 from the LSF is available per academic year for Nursing and many other Allied Healthcare courses — including occupational therapy.

What Is the NHS Bursary for Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy students in England receive the NHS LSF package. 4A non-repayable Training Grant of £5,000 from the LSF is available per academic year for physiotherapy students, plus TDAE for placement costs.

What Is the NHS Wales Bursary?

25 The NHS Wales Bursary Schemes, administered by Student Awards Services, offer financial support to healthcare students enrolled in NHS-funded courses in Wales. It includes a £1,000 non-means-tested grant and a means-tested bursary of up to £4,491, with tuition fees covered in full.

How Often Is the NHS Bursary Paid?

20 Funding is scheduled over the academic year and is paid in 3 instalments. For autumn-start students, payments fall in November, March, and July.

What Is the NHS Bursary for Mental Health Nursing?

Mental health nursing students in England receive the £5,000 Training Grant plus 5the Specialist Subject Payment, which is an extra £1,000 — bringing their non-means-tested annual award to £6,000.

What Is the NHS Bursary for Learning Disability Nursing?

Learning disability nursing is one of the specialist subjects that attracts the full Specialist Subject Payment. Students receive the £5,000 Training Grant plus £1,000 SSP = £6,000 non-means-tested per year.

How Long Does It Take for the NHS Bursary to Be Processed?

18 For new or continuing students whose academic year starts in September/October, NHSBSA Student Services opens invites to allow the University to confirm your attendance from 1 November. 18 The expected payment date is approximate; depending on when your university confirms your attendance, you may receive your first payment earlier or later.

What Is the NHS Bursary for Paramedic Students?

Paramedics are eligible for the NHS LSF but with conditions. 4If you are not eligible for Student Finance due to previous study, Paramedic Science students may still qualify for the Training Grant of £5,000 from the LSF. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. You will need to apply to Student Finance England in the first instance so they can confirm eligibility with a zero entitlement before you can register and apply for the Training Grant.

What Does Means-Tested Mean for Bursaries?

Means-tested means the amount you receive is calculated using your household's residual income. 10The amount reduces if your household income is above £27,423; students from higher-income households may not receive a bursary. Non-means-tested components are paid at the same flat rate for all eligible students.

Can I Get an NHS Bursary for a Second Degree?

7 You can take out a student loan from the Student Loans Company, even if this is your second degree. The NHS LSF Training Grant is also available for second-degree students on eligible healthcare courses. This is a significant exception to the standard rule that second degrees do not attract government funding.

What Is the NHS Bursary for a Master's Student?

Postgraduate pre-registration programmes (e.g., MSc Nursing, PG Dip Physiotherapy) can be eligible for the NHS LSF if they lead to professional registration. 2Students starting and continuing their course from 1 September 2020 onwards can apply for NHS LSF if they're on an eligible pre-registration undergraduate or postgraduate course.

What Is a Student Bursary and How Does It Work?

A student bursary is a grant — a sum of money paid to a student that does not need to be repaid. The NHS bursary is applied for annually, assessed by the NHSBSA or NWSSP, and paid directly into the student's UK bank account in three instalments across the academic year.

What Is the NHS Bursary for Dental Therapy Students?

Dental therapy and dental hygiene students at Level 5 and Level 6 are eligible for the NHS LSF Training Grant of £5,000 per year plus TDAE for placement travel costs.

What NHS-Funded Courses Are There?

NHS-funded courses include: nursing (all fields), midwifery, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietetics, podiatry, radiography (diagnostic and therapeutic), speech and language therapy, orthoptics, prosthetics and orthotics, operating department practice, dental therapy/hygiene, paramedics (BSc/MSc), medicine (years 5+), and dentistry (years 5+). 5From 1 September 2025, eligible pharmacy and pre-registration healthcare science students also access TDAE through the NHS LSF.

What Is the NHS Bursary Contact Number/email?

For England (NHS LSF): NHSBSA Student Services — contact via the official FAQ portal at faq.nhsbsa.nhs.uk, or by email to lsfcomplaints@nhsbsa.nhs.uk for complaints. 28For Wales, specific queries should be sent to HEIW.bursary@wales.nhs.uk.

What Is the Difference Between an NHS Grant and an NHS Bursary?

Both are non-repayable. The "NHS grant" refers to the non-means-tested component (£1,052 for medical/dental students; £1,000 in Wales). The "NHS bursary" refers to the means-tested maintenance component. In practice, eligible students receive both if their income qualifies.

What Is the NHS Bursary for Student Nurses in Scotland?

Scottish healthcare students are funded through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), not the NHS LSF or NHS Bursary Scheme. Scottish student nurses receive bursary support through SAAS. Students should apply directly to SAAS (saas.gov.uk) for full details of Scottish healthcare student funding.