University of Birmingham - Medical and dental programmes

What the NHS Bursary gives you

From the fifth year of a medical or dental degree at the University of Birmingham, the NHS covers the costs. The NHS is the United Kingdom’s national health service. It pays your tuition fees directly to the university: up to around 11,300 (£9,790) euros per year for a 5- or 6-year degree programme, or up to around 4,540 (£3,930) for a 3- or 4-year degree programme for first-year students with a university degree. In addition, you will receive a flat-rate grant of around 1,240 (£1,081) euros per year, which every eligible student receives regardless of their income. If your household income is low, you may also be eligible for an income-related grant of approximately 2,730 to 3,950 euros per year (£2,384 to £3,447). The exact amount depends on where you are studying and whether you live with your parents. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for additional allowances, for example for childcare, travel costs or a disability.

For the first four years, you will instead be funded through the standard government student finance package. Once funding from the NHS begins, you can still take out a smaller supplementary loan to cover living costs. In the years 1 to 4, you may also be eligible for the university’s means-tested ‘Chamberlain Award’, although this will cease once the NHS takes over your funding.

Who can apply

• Course: You are studying medicine or dentistry at the University of Birmingham, either as part of a 5- or 6-year undergraduate degree programme, or a 3- or 4-year programme for entry-level students with a university degree.
• Study year: Funding from the NHS begins in the fifth year of study. The first few years are covered by standard state funding.
• Residence: You normally live in England and were living there on the first day of your first year of study. If you moved to England solely to study, you are not eligible to take part.
• Second degree: You are also eligible for funding if you are studying medicine or dentistry as a second degree. In the years 1 to 4, you will pay your tuition fees yourself and will only receive a loan to cover your living costs. From the fifth year onwards, the NHS will cover both your tuition fees and your living costs.
• Age and background: There are no age restrictions and no requirements regarding gender or religion.

How to apply

This is not a means-tested grant. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you are entitled to it. Before the start of your first NHS-funded academic year, set up an online grant account and apply for at least the amount that covers your tuition fees. The application must be submitted within nine months of the start of the academic year.

How realistic are your chances?

As this is an entitlement rather than a selection process, there is no selection stage that you need to pass. If you are studying medicine or dentistry in Birmingham, reach the eligible academic years and meet the residence requirement, you are entitled to the funding. What varies is the amount you receive, as the means-tested portion depends on your household finances. Make sure you apply for the grant in good time so that your tuition fees and living costs are covered in full.