Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust - The Leverhulme Trade Charities Bursary

Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust Undergraduate Bursary

You will receive between £500 and £3,000 per year (about 570 to 3,450 EUR) for your bachelor’s degree in the UK. The exact amount depends on your household income and on how much money the Trust is able to make available this year. The grant applies to every year of your degree, and you do not need to reapply each year. As long as you continue to study full-time on the same course at the same university with satisfactory academic performance, and your financial circumstances do not change significantly, the university will confirm your progress each year and the grant will continue. You can use the funds to cover all reasonable study-related costs, such as tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses or study materials. The money is paid directly to your university, which then passes it on to you. The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust awards this grant to students from families associated with specific trades.

Who can apply

• Where you live: You live in the UK.
• Degree: You are studying full-time at a recognised British university to obtain a bachelor’s degree.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Family trade: You, a parent (including step-parents or legal guardians) or your spouse or partner work in one of the following three sectors: the food retail sector, a pharmacy (as a qualified pharmacist or pharmacy assistant) or as a sales representative (field sales representative). This person must have been employed in this role for the last 5 years.
• Financial need: You really need the money urgently. Households with an income below £50,000 (approximately 57,500 EUR) and, in particular, below £30,000 (approximately 34,500 EUR) will be given priority. Applications from households with an income above £90,000 (approx. 103,500 EUR) will not be considered.

How to apply

You apply via the Trust’s online application system and explain in the form why you are applying. From 2026 onwards, there is an application round every year: the application period begins on 1 August and ends on 1 October at 5. You must already be enrolled at a higher education institution or be due to commence your studies in September or October of the same year.

How realistic are your chances?

The eligibility criteria are very narrowly defined in terms of professional background: you are only eligible to apply if you, or a close family member, have worked in the food retail sector, in a pharmacy or as a sales representative within the last five years. As a result, the pool of applicants is smaller than for an open scholarship. Nevertheless, the Trust states that the programme is heavily oversubscribed and not all applicants can be supported; therefore, clear, well-documented evidence of financial need is essential. If your household income is significantly below £50,000 and you meet the sector-specific requirements, your chances are good – applying early in the October round is an advantage.