NHS bursaries

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What you'll get

If you’re an eligible full-time NHS student you can apply for:

  • a bursary from the NHS

  • a £1,000 grant from the NHS

  • a reduced Maintenance Loan from Student Finance England

If you’re an eligible part-time student you can apply for:

  • a reduced bursary from the NHS

  • a reduced grant from the NHS

The amount you get depends on the length of your course.

Check if you’re eligible.

Tuition fees

If you’re eligible for an NHS bursary, the NHS pays your standard tuition fees. Your course tuition fees are paid directly to your university.

If you’re studying a graduate-entry accelerated medical or dental programme, you can get some of your tuition costs paid with an NHS bursary in years 2 to 4 of your programme. You can get up to:

  • £3,715 if you’re starting in the 2023 to 2024 academic year

  • £3,715 if you’re starting in the 2022 to 2023 academic year

Bursary

Your bursary amount depends on your household income. This can be your own income, your parents’ income, or that of your partner, spouse or civil partner.

If you started a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) Nursing or Operating Department Practitioner course before 1 September 2012, you’ll receive a basic bursary which does not depend on your household income.

If you’re studying to become a doctor or dentist, you can apply for an NHS bursary from your second year for graduate entry programmes or from your fifth year for undergraduate programmes.

Grant

You’ll get a fixed amount of £1,000 if you’re an eligible full-time NHS student. You’ll get a reduced amount if you’re a part-time student.

You must apply for an NHS bursary to get the grant - check if you’re eligible.

Maintenance Loan

You’ll get a reduced Maintenance Loan. The amount you get depends on:

  • where you live and study

  • whether you’re in the final year of your course (when you get less)

Current rates for the 2023 to 2024 academic year are:

  • £3,658 for students studying in London and living away from home

  • £2,605 for students studying outside London and away from home

  • £1,955 for students living at home

Current rates for the 2022 to 2023 academic year are:

  • £3,558 for students studying in London and living away from home

  • £2,534 for students studying outside London and away from home

  • £1,902 for students living at home

How it’s paid

The NHS bursary is paid into your bank account in 12 equal monthly instalments.

The Maintenance Loan is usually paid into your bank account at the beginning of each term.

If you’re disabled or have children

You may get extra help if you:

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

  • have dependants

Find out what extra help you could get.

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