National Health Services - Health and Social Work Bursaries

Health and Social Work Bursaries

These are three government-funded support schemes in England for students preparing for careers in the health and social care sectors. You do not simply choose one of them. Which scheme is suitable depends on your chosen course, and the amount of funding varies from scheme to scheme.

NHS Bursary (medicine and dentistry): In the 2026/27 academic year, you will receive a flat-rate grant of 1,081 GBP (about 1,250 EUR), which everyone is entitled to. In addition, you can receive an income-based grant of up to 3,447 GBP (about 3,980 EUR), depending on where you are studying and whether you live with your parents. The programme also covers part of your tuition fees – up to 9,790 GBP (approximately 11,300 EUR) per year for a 5- to 6-year bachelor’s degree programme – which are paid directly to your university. Additional allowances cover childcare, dependants and travel costs for work placements.

Social Work Bursary: For 2025/26 an undergraduate gets a flat 5,262.50 GBP (about 6,080 EUR) in London or 4,862.50 GBP (about 5,620 EUR) elsewhere. That amount already includes a placement travel allowance. Postgraduates get a flat amount plus an income-based top-up of up to 4,201 GBP (about 4,850 EUR) in London.

NHS Learning Support Fund (nursing, midwifery and allied health): You will receive a training allowance of 5,000 GBP (about 5,780 EUR) per year, plus an additional 1,000 GBP (approximately 1,160 EUR) for certain shortage occupations. If you have a dependent child, you can claim 2,000 GBP (approximately 2,310 EUR) per year. You may also be reimbursed for travel and accommodation costs incurred as part of your work placement.

Who can apply

• Field of study: You study medicine or dentistry (NHS Bursary), social work (Social Work Bursary), or a health course such as nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, radiography or paramedic science (Learning Support Fund).
• Where you study: Your university is in England.
• Residence: You usually live in England. To be eligible for the social work grant, you must also have lived in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least 3 years before the start of your course.
• Study level: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, depending on the programme. Foundation years are not taken into account for the Learning Support Fund.
• NHS Bursary is for continuing students: You must have already received the NHS scholarship in a previous year. Newcomers cannot apply.
• No double funding: If you are already receiving the NHS grant, you are not eligible for the Learning Support Fund. As for the social work grant, you are excluded from this if an employer is covering your fees or if another public body is providing you with financial support.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they meet the residence requirements set out above.

How to apply

Each funding scheme has its own online account on the NHS Student Services website. For the NHS grant, you must submit your application within 9 months of the start of your academic year. For the Learning Support Fund, you must submit your application within 6 months of the start of your degree programme. For the Social Work Scholarship, there are fixed application deadlines linked to the start of your degree, and your university must nominate you for one of a limited number of funded places.

How realistic are your chances?

The NHS Bursary and Learning Support Fund are entitlement-based. If you meet the residence and course rules and apply on time, you get the money, so there is no competition. The Social Work Bursary works differently, because your university nominates you from a capped number of places. It helps to be on a nominated course and to apply early in the window.