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NHS bursaries are most simple and direct forms of student funding. But don’t worry; this guide will cover all of the necessary information you need like what is an NHS bursary, eligibility for an NHS bursary, how to apply and many more.
If your degree prepares you for a career in healthcare with the NHS, you may be eligible for additional funding in the form of NHS bursaries. To make things easier, we’ve gone over the essential information about the NHS Bursary, the NHS Learning Support Fund, and Social Work Bursaries, as well as additional information about funding available in different parts of the UK. Everything you need to know about NHS bursary for nursing is listed below!
What Is An NHS Bursary For Nursing?
The NHS Bursary is undoubtedly the most generous form of funding available to students in the United Kingdom. In the UK, students pursuing courses in health and social care can apply for bursaries and funding. However, when you hear the term “NHS Bursary,” it usually refers to funding available to medical and dental students in England.
As a full-time student, you can receive one of five types of funding through the NHS Bursary:
- A need-based bursary (calculated based on household income)
- A £1,000 non-means-tested grant (unaffected by household income)
- Tuition fee contribution
- Student Finance offers a reduced maintenance loan
- Additional funding may be available depending on your personal circumstances.
In future years, NHS student funding may be reviewed and changed. As a result, the NHS advises new and prospective students not to rely on current funding when planning for future academic years. Now that we have understood what is an NHS bursary, let us glance at the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria For The NHS Bursary
While additional criteria apply, the following students are eligible for the NHS Bursary in England:
- Medical and dental students in their final stages of training.
- Ongoing undergraduate and graduate-entry medical and dental students who received an NHS Bursary in the previous academic year.
If you are studying an undergraduate medical or dental course as a second degree, you are still eligible to apply for the NHS Bursary beginning in your fifth year, as long as you meet the residency requirements.
Students who begin an undergraduate medical or dental course as a second degree and join in a later study year can still apply for the NHS Bursary beginning with the fifth official course year.
How Much Money Could You Get With The NHS Bursary?
If you qualify, the NHS Bursary will pay you in 12 equal monthly instalments throughout the year. Keep in mind that this does not include the bursary’s maintenance loan, which is typically paid at the start of each term. Because the means-tested bursary relies on household income, you may not receive the entire annual amount. However, regardless of household income, all eligible candidates will receive the entire £1,000 per year for the non-means-tested grant.
How To Apply For The NHS Bursary?
After getting a detailed insight into what is an NHS bursary, applying for one through NHSBSA is simple. Each year that you are eligible, you must submit an application through the Bursary Online Support System (BOSS). The application form should take about 30-45 minutes to complete, and you can save it and return it later if you can’t fill it out all at once.
What Are Social Work Bursaries (SWB)?
There is specific funding available to social work students to help with study and living expenses, and it does not have to be repaid. The number of people who can receive Social Work Bursaries each year is limited. Universities are given a set number of bursary places to nominate students for, and it is up to the universities, not the NHSBSA, to decide which students will receive funding.
Even if your universities do not nominate you for the SWB, you may still be eligible for a Placement Travel Allowance if you meet the eligibility criteria. To boost your chances of receiving funding, apply as soon as possible.
The Takeaway
The NHS bursary helps with tuition and living expenses. It only covers living expenses for students who are treated as home-funded students in the UK. New students starting the healthcare courses between September 2022 and March 2023 will be eligible for NHS funding. We hope that this guide will help you in resolving your queries regarding what is an NHS bursary! You can also read some of our blogs that might interest you as well:
FAQs
1. What is an NHS Bursary for Nursing?
The NHS Bursary is a substantial funding option available to students in the UK pursuing health and social care courses, primarily for medical and dental students in England.
2. Who is eligible for the NHS Bursary?
Medical and dental students in their final stages of training, ongoing medical and dental students who received the bursary the previous year, and second-degree medical/dental students meeting residency requirements are eligible.
3. How much money can you get with the NHS Bursary?
Eligible students receive monthly instalments throughout the year, including a non-means-tested £1,000 grant. The means-tested bursary amount depends on household income.
4. How to apply for the NHS Bursary?
You can apply through the Bursary Online Support System (BOSS) annually, saving and returning as needed for completion.
5. What are Social Work Bursaries (SWB)?
SWBs provide study and living expense support for social work students, nominated by universities, with the potential for a Placement Travel Allowance for eligible students.
