Bournemouth University - BU Maintenance Bursary

BU Maintenance Bursary

You will receive up to £2,400 (about 2,760 EUR) across your degree, paid out as £800 (approximately 920 EUR) in the first, second and final years of your degree. If you start with a foundation year (year 0) and pay the higher tuition fee of £9,790,, you can receive up to £3,200 (approximately 3,680 EUR). For a one-year postgraduate programme, there is a one-off payment of £800. Part-time students receive a proportion of this amount based on their study load. Bournemouth University in England pays this amount to help with rent, travel and living costs. You will never have to repay this amount. The money is paid into a prepaid card in nine instalments from October to June, and you will receive up to 2% cashback at selected shops. You cannot withdraw cash from the card.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are a new undergraduate student starting your studies in September 2026 at Bournemouth University or on the ‘BA (Hons) Film Production and Cinematography’ course at Wiltshire College in Salisbury. HNC and HND programmes are not eligible.
• Degree level: This is your first degree, including ‘top-up’ programmes (a one-year programme that completes the final year of study to enable you to obtain a full bachelor’s degree).
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Fee status: As far as tuition fees are concerned, you are considered a ‘home’ student (UK) and will receive both the tuition fee loan and the living costs loan from Student Finance England.
• Residence: You live in England and have been living there for three years prior to the start of your degree course. If your usual place of residence is in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you are not eligible for this scholarship.
• Household income: Your household income is £25,000 (approximately 28,800 EUR) or less per year.

How to apply

No separate application is required. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will receive the grant automatically. If you apply to Student Finance England, please request a means test and agree to the results being passed on to the university. Results of the means test received after 31 May will not be taken into account for the current academic year but will be carried over to the following year. Part-time students should contact BU via the ‘AskBU’ page.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a selection process in which you can be rejected on the basis of your academic performance. If you meet all the eligibility criteria, including the income limit of £25,000 and the residence rule for England, you will receive the grant. Timing is the key factor in determining your chances. You should therefore ensure that your proof of income is received by Student Finance England by 31 May.