Applicable to new students to the University starting in 2015/16

The University of Bedfordshire offers one of the most generous student finance packages in the country according to the Office for Fair Access.

In 2014/15 we awarded 5,166 scholarships and bursaries. In 2014 we set aside £2.6 million to offer a range of scholarships and bursaries as part of our mission to support those for whom financial issues might be a barrier to attending university.

We will automatically award the Access Bursary, Bedfordshire Excellence Scholarship and Academic Scholarship if you have provided this information as part of your UCAS and Student Loan applications, so you do not need to apply.

Bedfordshire Police Studentship Scheme

The Bedfordshire Police Studentship Scheme is open to application until the 30th September 2016.

General Bursary Hardship Fund - NOW CLOSED

Students to be informed of decision on Monday 18th April 2016

The General Bursary Hardship fund is open to all current University of Bedfordshire full time UK and EU undergraduate students in any year of study. The bursary amount is £500 and there are 40 bursaries available.

This bursary is designed to assist students who are experiencing financial hardship to enable them to remain at University. Evidence of academic progression and potential to achieve will also be taken into consideration.

To apply, please complete the below form and write a statement of your financial need explaining how this award would help you continue with your studies. Please also complete the Financial Assessment section of the form.

Please also provide three months current bank statement for all accounts held, along with all required evidence as stipulated on the application form.

Please hand in applications with all supporting evidence by 4pm on 29 February 2016.

Applications will be considered by a panel following the above closing date.

No applications received after this date will be considered.

Applicants will be informed by early April 2016.

For queries relating to this bursary please contact the Student Money Advice Team studentmoney@beds.ac.uk

General Bursary Hardship Form - PDF 149.7 KB

UCMK New Student Bursary

The UCMK New Student Bursary is for new first year UK or EU students who are entering full time undergraduate degree programmes at our Milton Keynes campus (UCMK) in September 2015 and who are paying the full £9,000 tuition fees.

The bursary is a £1,000 cash bursary and will be delivered via instalments throughout the academic year 2015/16.

The Steel Charitable Trust Bursary - NOW CLOSED

The Steel Charitable Trust Bursary is specifically for undergraduates entering their third year – 25 awards are available per annum.

Welcome package

Available to all new first year full time UK/EU students who pay the maximum tuition fee for a BA/BSc course (NHS students excluded). Worth £450 in total over three years, eligible students will receive £300 'Aspire' credit to spend at John Smith's bookshop and £50 print credit in the first year. In the second and third years students will receive £50 print credit each year.

The Welcome Package has also been expanded to be offered to UK/EU students, who transfer to the University from any other higher education institution into years 2 or 3 to complete their study. Students that transfer in to year 2 will receive £300 Aspire credit and £50 print credit and £50 print credit year 3. Students that transfer in to year 3 will receive £300 Aspire credit and £50 print credit.

The Welcome Package has also been expanded to those EU/UK students who "top-up" to a Bachelor degree and come from outside the formal University partnership agreement. These students will receive £300 Aspire credit and £50 credit.

Enhanced Welcome Package

Available to students that meet one of the following criteria:

• Progressing immediately from UK Partner College/School (as stipulated in OFFA Access Agreement 2015.16 - PDF 268.0 KB ) to start a undergraduate degree (Non NHS funded).
• Progressing to do a 'top up' Bachelor degree at the University from a EU/UK partner following award of a Foundation Degree / HND or equivalent.

The Enhanced Welcome Package is worth £150 and is paid as an Aspire credit at the end of February 2016.

Access Bursary

The Access Bursary is open to new first year UK and EU students paying the £9,000 fee and have a verified household income of less that £25,000.

Merit-based scholarships

Bedfordshire Excellence Scholarship

The Bedfordshire Excellence Scholarship is awarded to high-achieving students who achieve grades in their studies prior to entering University of ABB, or higher, at A-level, or HEFCE-approved equivalent in one sitting.

Academic Scholarship

The Academic Scholarship is awarded to students who achieve at least 280 UCAS points or HEFCE-approved equivalent in one sitting, with at least 200 UCAS points at A2 level.

Other scholarships and bursaries

Sports Scholarships

Sports Scholarships are available for students who have a record of performance in sport and who aspire to train and compete at the highest levels.

Care Leavers Bursary

The Care Leavers Bursary is available to students who are "open to care" and supported by their local authority leaving care service.

Additional support for students

The University also offers practical support to students who get into financial difficulties.

Please contact sab@beds.ac.uk for information on what help is available.

Jubilee Scholarship

The Jubilee Scholarship is for third year undergraduates at the University of Bedfordshire planning to progress to full-time postgraduate study at the University and who enrol in September 2015.

The Jubilee Scholarship offers a full fee waiver on most postgraduate courses (including research degrees) at University of Bedfordshire for any home or EU student who achieves a First at undergraduate level and goes on to start a full-time Master's course.

From 2015 all recipients of the Jubilee Scholarship are required to complete the Destination of Leavers of Higher Education Survey (DLHE) at the appropriate time.

To apply for the Jubilee Scholarship please tick the relevant box on the Progression Form - PDF 103.1 KB

Continuing Students HE Bursary

All UK/EU students studying a full-time undergraduate degree paying a tuition fee of £3,465 may receive a non-repayable HE Bursary