ICAEW - The ICAEW Foundation Bursary

What the ICAEW Foundation Bursary gives you

You will receive 4,600 EUR per year (about £4,000) to cover your living costs. This grant is paid for the entire duration of your Bachelor’s degree, which is usually three years. The total amount is around 13,800 EUR (approximately £12,000). The funding comes from the ICAEW Foundation, the charitable arm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. It supports students who are unable to finance their studies themselves and are not eligible for other forms of financial support.

Who can apply

• Study level: You’ve just left school and are about to start your first degree.
• Field of study: You are studying accountancy or a finance-related subject.
• University: You are studying at one of the partner universities in Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Greece or the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The list changes every year and includes, amongst others, Cardiff University, Aston University, the University of Manchester and the University of Piraeus.
• Where you study: You’re studying in your home region rather than abroad.
• Financial need: Your household income is around £25,000 per year or less, and you are not eligible for any other grants or financial support.
• Ability: You are an outstanding student, as this award is given to talented candidates from low-income families.

How to apply

You apply directly through your partner university, not through the ICAEW Foundation. Each university manages the application process itself. The list of participating universities for the coming year will be published between April and October. Only a very small number of scholarships are awarded each year.

How realistic are your chances?

The eligibility criteria for this scholarship are very narrow. You must be a school leaver on a low income who is commencing a degree in accountancy or finance at a specific partner university, and you must not be eligible for any other funding. This means that the pool of eligible applicants is small. However, the foundation awards very few scholarships and applies its criteria strictly. If you clearly meet the income and subject requirements and apply via a partner university as soon as places become available, you stand a good chance.