Access to Sheffield Scholarships

What you get

You get about EUR 1,150 per year (£1,000) for each year of your degree, plus a one-off EUR 690 (£600) at the start to help with the costs of moving into university. The yearly amount is paid in two instalments of £500. It covers each year of your course, but not placement years or repeat years. The University of Sheffield gives out more than 250 of these awards each year to students starting in September 2026. The money comes from donations by alumni, organisations and companies who want to support students.

Who can apply

You must meet all of these:

• University: You have an offer for a full-time undergraduate course at the University of Sheffield starting September 2026.
• Fees: You pay the UK home rate of fees. International students cannot apply.
• Financial need: Your household income is £40,000 (about EUR 46,000) or less. Student Finance England or the equivalent UK funding body confirms this through your means-tested maintenance loan.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Background: You have completed an Access to Sheffield programme or the Sutton Trust Summer School, or you meet at least one of these: you live in a disadvantaged area (England only), got free school meals at secondary school, are a care leaver, are estranged from your family, care for a family member, have a child under 18 to look after, or are a refugee or forced migrant.
• No double funding: You have not already received an Experience Sheffield Scholarship, and you cannot combine this with other University of Sheffield scholarships.

Being from a Black, Asian or other ethnic minority, having a disability, or being over 25 on your first day can also count in your favour, but none of these is required.

How to apply

You apply online. You must accept your Sheffield offer (firm or insurance) before early May 2026. A panel of university staff reviews eligible applications and checks which criteria you meet. If you completed an Access to Sheffield programme or the Sutton Trust Summer School and meet the criteria, you get a scholarship automatically. Everyone hears the outcome by the end of June 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

With over 250 awards and eligibility limited to lower-income UK home students who also fit one of the background criteria, the pool is narrower than for open scholarships. If you clearly meet the income limit and one background criterion, your prospects are good. Completing an Access to Sheffield programme or Sutton Trust Summer School guarantees an award. Accept your offer and apply well before the deadline.