National Health Services - NHS Student Bursary

What the NHS Bursary gives you

Whilst you are training to become a doctor or dentist in England, there are various forms of financial support available to you:

• A flat-rate allowance of approximately 468 EUR per year, paid to all those entitled to it without means testing.
• In addition, there is an income-based grant: up to around 3,980 EUR per year if you’re studying in London and don’t live with your parents, up to around 3,300 EUR in other locations, or up to around 2,750 EUR if you live at home.
• A grant towards your tuition fees, which is paid directly to your university: up to approximately 11,300 EUR per year for a 5–6-year Bachelor’s degree programme, or up to approximately 4,540 EUR for a 3–4-year Master’s degree programme.
• Additional allowances for children, disability or travel expenses during clinical placements.

The NHS administers the programme on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Who can apply

• Subject: You are undertaking a medical or dental degree programme that is included in the official list of qualifying degree programmes for medicine and dentistry in England.
• Study stage: Support only begins in the later years of study, not from day one. For a 5-6-year Bachelor’s degree programme, it covers the 5 and 6 years. For a 3-year degree programme for first-year students with a university degree, it covers the years 2 and 3. For an 4-year programme for university graduates, it covers the years 2, 3 and 4. A second degree in medicine or dentistry may also be recognised.
• Where you live: You normally live in England and were living there on the first day of your first year of university. Moving to England solely for the purpose of studying does not count.
• Already funded: You have already received this scholarship in a previous year. Since 2025/26, the programme has no longer been open to new applicants.
• Nationality: British nationals and people who are long-term residents in the United Kingdom are generally eligible. Applicants from the EU or the EEA must meet the requirements for ‘settled status’.
• Income: The flat-rate grant and tuition fees are paid to all those eligible. The supplementary grant and allowances depend on your household income, so the amounts vary. Income from part-time or casual work is not taken into account.

How to apply

You register and submit your application online via your NHS Scholarship account. Submit your application within nine months of the start of your academic year. If you have previously received funding, you will receive an email asking you to submit a new application. Payments will begin as soon as your higher education institution has confirmed your enrolment.

How realistic are your chances?

You will not be compared with other applicants. If you meet the specified criteria, you will receive the grant. The real hurdle is the entry requirement. Since 2025/26, only students who have already received the grant are eligible to apply for it. So, if you belong to this group and are studying an eligible degree programme in medicine or dentistry in England, you’re in. First-year students are not eligible and should look into other funding options.