Scholarships, bursaries, and grants - what's the difference?
| Award type | To help with |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Some living costs (one-off, annual or termly payment), tuition fees (automatic reduction or cover). |
| Bursary | Some living costs (one-off payment). |
| Grant | Some living costs, specific purposes, e.g. studying abroad (one-off payment). |
Public funding to higher education providers is delivered directly through the two funding bodies (the Office for Students and Research England) and indirectly through tuition fee loans. The Office for Students allocated around £1.4 billion for teaching in 2024/25.
Advanced Learner Loans are available to cover course fees for students aged 19 or older taking eligible qualifications at level 3 or higher that are not designated for higher education student finance. Many essential skills and 'Skills Toolkit' courses in reading, writing, maths, and digital subjects are free.
Share this page
