RIBA Part 1 Bursary / RIBA Part 2 Bursary

Benefit

You get up to about 9,200 EUR (GBP 8,000) in total, paid across your architecture studies in three instalments a year: about 1,725 EUR (GBP 1,500) in the autumn term and about 1,440 EUR (GBP 1,250) in each of the spring and summer terms. Two programmes run in parallel. The Part 1 Bursary supports the bachelor-level Part 1 course over its second and third years. The Part 2 Bursary supports the postgraduate Part 2 course over its full length. If you study part time or take a year in practice, you still get the same maximum, spread out proportionally. The first payment lands in October 2026 once your enrolment is confirmed. The money comes from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and its education funds.

Eligibility

• Which course: For the Part 1 Bursary, you are in the first year of a RIBA Part 1 course. For the Part 2 Bursary, you are applying for a RIBA Part 2 course starting in September 2026. You do not need a confirmed place yet.
• Where you study: Your course is in the UK. For Part 2, you can also study abroad if the qualification counts as a UK Part 2.
• Subject: Architecture only.
• Nationality: UK, EU and international students can all apply.
• Financial need: You can show that your household income makes it hard to cover your study and living costs.
• What sets applicants apart: Strong grades, involvement in the field, potential as an architect, and a clear account of your goals.
• Part 1 priority (Goldfinger Bursary): Within Part 1, priority goes to applicants from an under-represented racialised group, from a low-income household, or who are the first in their family to study. The rest of the conditions are the same.

How to apply

You apply online through the RIBA grant platform and pick the Part 1 or Part 2 form. The Part 1 deadline is Friday 13 March 2026 at 15:00 GMT. The Part 2 deadline is Friday 10 April 2026 at 15:00 GMT+1. There is no interview, and everyone hears back about 6 to 8 weeks after the deadline.

How realistic are your chances?

These bursaries are open only to architecture students on RIBA-accredited courses who can prove real financial need, so the pool is far smaller than for open scholarships. If you clearly fit the course requirement and can document your household income, your prospects are solid. The Goldfinger route improves them further if you match its priority groups. A strong design portfolio and a convincing statement of your goals are what set applicants apart.