University of Bedfordshire - Social Work Bursary

What you get

You will receive an annual grant of about EUR 5,580 (4,862.50 GBP outside London or 5,262.50 GBP in London) to help with your living costs whilst you are training to become a social worker. This is a grant, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. The amount does not depend on your income or that of your family. It includes a travel allowance of 862.50 GBP for journeys to your placement locations. The money is paid out in three instalments throughout the year. It can support you for the duration of your studies, up to 36 months. This is government funding, financed by the Department of Health and Social Care and administered through the NHS Student Funding Service. Undergraduate students receive support for living costs only; it does not cover tuition fees. You must submit a separate application to Student Finance England for your tuition fees.

Who can apply

• Course: You are following a recognised degree programme in social work, which will lead to your initial registration as a social worker.
• Study stage: On a Bachelor’s degree programme, you can receive financial support from the second year onwards, but not from the first. On a Master’s degree programme, you can receive it from the first year onwards.
• Where you live: You normally live in England and are resident there on the first day of your course.
• Residence history: You have lived in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for at least three years prior to the start of your degree programme.
• Immigration status: You are a British or Irish national, have ‘Settled Status’ under the EU Settlement Scheme, or belong to another protected group, such as the group of refugees.
• Not already qualified: You are not yet a registered social worker.
• No other funding: Your employer does not cover the cost of the course, nor do you receive any financial support for it from any other public body. Your university’s own hardship funds do not count towards this.

How to apply

Create an account on the MyFunding online system and complete the application form each academic year. The deadline depends on when your course starts: 31 October for courses starting in the autumn, 23 February for courses starting in January and 22 March for courses starting in March. Your university will then confirm your place on the course to the funding team.

How realistic are your chances?

The eligibility criteria are narrowly defined: a recognised degree programme in social work, residence in England, and no funding from an employer. This keeps the pool of applicants manageable. The catch is that each university is allocated only a limited number of funded places and nominates the students itself. Meeting all the eligibility criteria therefore does not guarantee that you will receive the full grant. If you do not secure one of the limited places but meet the residency and study requirements, you will still receive at least the flat-rate travel allowance for the placement. Apply as early as possible, as soon as the application window opens.