NHS Bursary for Medical and Dental Students

The NHS Bursary is a financial support system available to eligible medical and dental students who live in England. This bursary offers assistance in the form of a non-means-tested bursary, a means-tested bursary, a tuition fee contribution, and additional allowances. This article provides a detailed overview of the NHS Bursary, including eligibility criteria, types of bursaries available, and the application process.

nhs bursary

Who is Eligible for the NHS Bursary?

The NHS Bursary is primarily available to medical and dental students who are enrolled in specific undergraduate or graduate entry courses in England. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Course Duration:
    • You must be studying a 5- or 6-year undergraduate course in medicine or dentistry.
    • You may also be on a 3- or 4-year graduate entry course.
  2. Medical and Dental Student Intake:
    • Your course must be recognized by the Office for Students as part of their medical and dental student intake.
  3. Previous NHS Bursary Recipient:
    • If you have received the NHS Bursary in a previous year, you may continue to be eligible.
  4. Second Degree:
    • If you are studying for a medical or dental degree as your second degree, you may also qualify for the bursary.
  5. Residency Requirement:
    • You must normally live in England and be an English resident on the first day of your first academic year.
    • If you moved to England from elsewhere in the UK for your studies, you will not be eligible.

Types of NHS Bursaries

There are two main types of NHS Bursaries: the non-means-tested bursary and the means-tested bursary. Each of these provides different levels of financial support based on your circumstances.

1. Non-Means-Tested Bursary

This bursary is awarded to all eligible students regardless of their financial situation. For the 2023 to 2024 academic year, the non-means-tested bursary amount is £1,000 for all students. This bursary is not influenced by your personal income or that of your family.

2. Means-Tested Bursary

The means-tested bursary is awarded based on your financial circumstances, specifically your household income. This bursary amount varies depending on where you study and whether you live with your parents or independently.

The 2023 to 2024 rates for the means-tested bursary are as follows:

  • Up to £3,191 if you are studying at a university in London and do not live in your parental home.
  • Up to £2,643 if you are studying outside of London and do not live in your parental home.
  • Up to £2,207 if you live in your parental home, regardless of your university location.

Dependent vs. Independent Student

Your eligibility for the means-tested bursary is also determined by whether you are classified as a dependent or independent student.

  • Dependent Student: If you are classified as dependent, the means-tested bursary will be calculated based on your parents’ income if they agree to declare it.
  • Independent Student: If you are classified as independent, the bursary will be calculated based on your spouse, partner, or civil partner’s income, provided they choose to declare it. As an independent student, your income will also be considered in the calculation.

Income from various sources, such as pensions, bank or building society interest, rental income, dividends or shares, sponsorships, and certain taxable social security benefits, may affect the amount you receive. However, income from part-time or casual work does not need to be declared.

Tuition Fee Contribution

The NHS Bursary also provides a tuition fee contribution that is paid directly to your university. The amount depends on whether you are an undergraduate or a graduate entry student. The 2023 to 2024 academic year rates for tuition fee contributions are as follows:

  • Up to £9,250 for a 5- or 6-year undergraduate course.
  • Up to £3,715 for a 3- or 4-year graduate entry course. This amount increases to £3,925 for English students attending an eligible course in Northern Ireland.

This contribution helps cover the costs of your tuition fees, significantly reducing the financial burden on students.

Additional Allowances for Eligible Students

Depending on your personal circumstances, you may qualify for additional allowances as part of the NHS Bursary. These allowances are designed to offer extra support to students who have dependents or special needs. The additional allowances include:

1. Dependants’ Allowance

This allowance helps students who have dependents, such as children or a spouse, and require additional financial support to manage their household.

2. Parent Learning Allowance (PLA)

The PLA is designed to help students who are also parents, assisting with the costs of studying while raising a family.

3. Childcare Allowance (CCA)

The CCA is aimed at students who have children and need financial support to cover the costs of childcare while they are studying.

4. Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE)

This allowance is for students who need to travel to different locations for their clinical placements or have to maintain dual accommodation due to their studies.

5. Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

DSA provides financial assistance to students with disabilities, helping cover the costs of any additional support they may require during their studies.

6. Extra Weeks Allowance

Students who are required to attend their courses for longer than the standard academic year may be eligible for this allowance to cover the additional weeks of study.

When to Apply for the NHS Bursary

The application window for the 2024 to 2025 academic year is now open. It is important to apply within the appropriate time frame to ensure that your application is processed in time for the start of the academic year. Here are some key points to remember:

  • If you are on a 5- or 6-year undergraduate course, you can apply for the NHS Bursary in years 5 and 6. If your course includes a foundation year, and it was an integral part of the program, you may also apply.
  • If you are on a 3-year graduate course, you can apply for the NHS Bursary in years 2 and 3.
  • If you are on a 4-year graduate course, you can apply for the NHS Bursary in years 2, 3, and 4.

It is important to note that if you have repeated any years of your course that do not qualify for the NHS Bursary, these years will not count as part of your qualifying years. For example, if you repeat your second year of undergraduate study, you would become eligible for the NHS Bursary from your fifth year, which would technically be your sixth year of study.

Additionally, if you took an intercalation year at the bachelor’s or master’s level during the first four years of your undergraduate course, this counts as a qualifying year. However, intercalation years at the PhD level do not count as qualifying years.

How to Apply for the NHS Bursary

The application process for the NHS Bursary is straightforward, and all eligible students are required to apply online. Follow these steps to submit your application:

  1. Register for an NHS Bursary Account:
    • If you are applying for the first time, you will need to register for an NHS Bursary account through the NHS Bursary Student Services (NHSBSA) portal.
  2. Sign In to Your Account:
    • If you have previously applied for the NHS Bursary, you will receive an email invitation to reapply for the 2024 to 2025 academic year. Simply sign in to your existing account to proceed.
  3. Submit Your Application:
    • Ensure that you complete the application form with accurate information regarding your financial circumstances, course details, and personal information.
  4. Application Deadline:
    • You must apply within 9 months of the start of the academic year to have your application accepted.

Conclusion

The NHS Bursary offers vital financial support for eligible medical and dental students in England. Whether through the non-means-tested bursary, means-tested bursary, tuition fee contributions, or additional allowances, the NHS Bursary significantly reduces the financial burden of pursuing a medical or dental career.

By ensuring that students receive adequate support, the NHS Bursary not only helps cover tuition fees and living costs but also empowers future healthcare professionals to focus on their studies without the added stress of financial concerns. If you are studying medicine or dentistry and meet the eligibility criteria, applying for the NHS Bursary is an essential step in securing the funding you need to complete your education.

For more information and to begin your application process, visit the official NHS Bursary Student Services website here.

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