Introduction
The NHS Bursary is a financial aid scheme designed to support eligible medical and dental students residing in England. This bursary aims to alleviate the financial burden of tuition fees and living costs, enabling students to focus on their studies. Understanding the eligibility criteria, financial support available, and the application process is crucial for prospective applicants. This guide provides a detailed overview of the NHS Bursary for the academic year 2024-2025.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the NHS Bursary, students must meet specific criteria related to their course, residency status, and previous bursary history.
Course Requirements
You may be eligible if you are pursuing a medical or dental degree and:
- Are enrolled in an undergraduate course lasting 5 or 6 years.
- Are taking a graduate entry course of 3 or 4 years.
- Your course is included in the Office for Students’ medical and dental student intake.
- Have previously received the NHS Bursary.
- Are studying a medical or dental course as a second degree.
Residency Requirements
- You must normally reside in England and be an English resident at the start of your first academic year.
- If you moved to England from another part of the UK solely for study purposes, you are not eligible for the bursary.
Financial Support Available
The NHS Bursary consists of several financial components, including a non-means-tested bursary, a means-tested bursary, a tuition fee contribution, and additional allowances based on personal circumstances.
Non-Means Tested Bursary
All eligible students receive a standard, non-means-tested bursary. For the 2023-2024 academic year, this amount is £1,020.
Means-Tested Bursary
The means-tested bursary amount varies depending on household income and accommodation status. The rates for 2024-2025 are:
- Up to £3,255 for students studying in London and living away from their parental home.
- Up to £2,696 for students studying outside London and living away from their parental home.
- Up to £2,251 for students living in their parental home.
The bursary amount is determined based on:
- Parental income (if you are a dependent student).
- Spouse, partner, or civil partner’s income (if you are an independent student).
- Other unearned income, such as pensions, bank interest, rental income, dividends, sponsorships, and certain social security benefits.
- Part-time or casual employment income does not affect bursary entitlement.
Tuition Fee Contribution
If your NHS Bursary application is successful, a tuition fee contribution is paid directly to your university. The rates for 2024-2025 are:
- Up to £9,250 for undergraduate courses lasting 5 or 6 years.
- Up to £3,715 for graduate entry courses lasting 3 or 4 years.
- Up to £3,925 for English students studying an eligible course in Northern Ireland.
Additional Allowances
Students may be eligible for further financial support based on individual circumstances. Additional allowances include:
- Dependants Allowance
- Parent Learning Allowance (PLA)
- Childcare Allowance (CCA)
- Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE)
- Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
- Extra Weeks Allowance
Application Process
When to Apply
The application timeline depends on the type of course and year of study:
- Undergraduate courses (5+ years): Apply for bursary support in years 5 and 6.
- Graduate entry courses (3 years): Apply in years 2 and 3.
- Graduate entry courses (4 years): Apply in years 2, 3, and 4.
- Repeated years: If repeating a non-qualifying year, it does not count toward the bursary. However, up to 12 months of additional bursary may be available for repeating qualifying years.
- Intercalation years: Intercalation at bachelor’s or master’s level counts as a qualifying year, but PhD intercalation does not.
How to Apply
The application window for 2024-2025 is now open. Steps to apply:
- Register for an NHS Bursary account or log in to an existing account.
- Submit your application online, including evidence of financial status.
- Await confirmation from NHSBSA (NHS Business Services Authority).
- Monitor application status via your bursary account.
You must apply within 9 months of the start of the academic year.
Payment Schedule
The NHS Bursary is paid in three termly instalments, subject to university confirmation of course attendance.
Payment Dates
- June start: Term 2 (October 2024), Term 3 (January 2025).
- July start: Term 2 (November 2024), Term 3 (February 2025).
- August start: Term 2 (December 2024), Term 3 (March 2025).
- September start: Term 2 (January 2025), Term 3 (April 2025).
- October start: Term 2 (February 2025), Term 3 (May 2025).
Students should check their NHS Bursary account for specific payment details.
Conclusion
The NHS Bursary provides essential financial support for eligible medical and dental students in England, helping cover tuition fees, living costs, and additional expenses. Understanding the eligibility criteria, financial benefits, and application process is crucial for making the most of this opportunity. For further details, applicants can visit the NHSBSA website or consult the NHS Bursary application guide.