A guide to scholarships and bursaries

• Scholarships and bursaries are financial awards given to help university costs. These can come from the university, alumni, the government, businesses, charities and more.
• These awards can be used alongside student loans, grants or other financial aid.
• You can use scholarships and bursaries towards living costs like accommodation, books, travel and more.
• We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that you could be eligible for. If you're eligible, most of these awards will be automatically applied.
• Awards can be found through websites like university, government, charity or business websites. Dedicated forums like the Blackbullion Funding Hub can also be useful.
• Scholarships and bursaries don't need to be paid back in the same way that student loans do.

Bursary vs Scholarship

Scholarship, bursaries and grants are all monetary awards for university costs that you don't have to pay back. They can be called scholarships, bursaries, awards, grants, fellowships or stipends. Organisations will often use these terms interchangeably.

According to Save the Student in 2025, the maintenance loan can fall short of living costs by an average of £502 per month. This means your student loan may not cover the full amount you'll need while studying. Being given one or more of these awards can make a big difference to your university experience. This supplementary income can help you buy books, travel your new city, and more.

Most university bursaries and scholarships are usually available to full-time, UK based students. There may be exceptions depending on the individual terms and conditions for part-time students. There are also dedicated awards for international and postgraduate students too.

What is a scholarship?

A university scholarship is a financial award usually awarded due to achievement or excellence. This might be an academic or sporting achievement, or for demonstrating particular qualities. Every university will offer scholarships, but these may be specific to an area of study or even individual courses.

An example of a scholarship we offer is the Robson Art and Design Scholarship. This scholarship is funded through philanthropic donations for students in an artistic field. To be eligible for this course, you must be a full-time UK based student, and also from an underrepresented group. Different universities may have their own definition of underrepresented groups. At Sunderland, this can include those who are care experienced, estranged from parents, eligible for free school meals and more. There are five awards available and the award is £1,000 in the first year of study. If successful, you'd need to participate in promotional and marketing activities. Check your eligibility via the Robson Art and Design Scholarship guidance notes.

What is a bursary?

A university bursary is a financial award usually based on your circumstances or background. This could be based on factors like your household income, where you live, if you've been care experienced and more.

An example of a bursary we offer is the University of Sunderland Bursary. The bursary supports eligible students with essential costs. There are three tiers to this bursary and the amount awarded will be based on this. To be eligible, you must be a home student and fit the criteria for one or more of the tiers. Depending on the tier, you could receive between £500-£2000 per academic year. This means at Tier 1 studying for three years, you'd receive £1500 during your time at University. You'll be expected to provide evidence you meet the tier requirements. Not all courses are applicable for this award. If you're successful, you'll be expected to participate in surveys and feedback requests. Check your eligibility via the University of Sunderland Bursary guidance notes.

What is a grant?

Grants are usually awarded based on financial need. This could be based on your household income or childcare situation.

An example of a grant is the Childcare Grant offered by the UK government. To be eligible, you need to be a UK student in full-time education with children. These could be children under 15, or 17 if they have special educational needs. This grant doesn't need to be paid back unless your circumstances change. You have to be eligible for government student finance to be eligible for this grant. You'll receive 85% of your childcare costs with the maximum being £342.24 per week for two or more children. This will be paid directly to your childcare provider. Check your eligibility for the Childcare Grant.

Additional funding support

It's important to remember most awards won't cover the full cost of your studying. The primary form of funding support for university is student loans. These can be for undergraduate, postgraduate and sometimes international students. Read our guide on student loans for more information.

There may be specialist support available depending on your circumstances, including:

• The Parents' Learning Allowance, if you have children
• Childcare Grant, if you have children
• Mature students may have their student finance increased, depending on their circumstances
• The Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service (ELCAS), if you're serving or have served in the Armed Forces
• The NHS Learning Support Fund, if you're interested in pursing a healthcare degree
• Teacher Training Funding, if you're interested in pursuing an education degree
• Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), if you have a disability, mental health problem or long-term illness.

Your individual university may be able to offer hardship funds if you have an emergency. These also don't need to be paid back. At Sunderland, we have the Student Support Fund which is a discretionary cost for unforeseen circumstances. Contact the student support fund for more information about hardship funds. It's important to note hardship funds are only given in cases of true emergency. You shouldn't rely on these when budgeting for higher education.

Researching what funding is available to you alongside your student loans can improve your experience. As well as money, these awards may have additional benefits, like accommodation offers. At Sunderland, we offer the Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship. As part of the award, you get a 20% discount on university-managed accommodation. You'll also receive a £2000 cash payment per year and discount on fees. Check your eligibility for the Douglas Clasper Elite Sports Scholarship via the guidance notes.

Awards can also offer networking opportunities and internship spots which can enhance your CV and future employability. At Sunderland, we have the Chancellor's Scholarship. This offers a paid summer internship, work shadowing expenses, a dedicated mentor and a £5000 cash bursary. Check your eligibility for the Chancellor's Scholarship via the guidance notes.

How do I receive a scholarship or bursary?

University scholarships, bursaries and grants can be received alongside your student loan. Usually, they don't impact what you're entitled to from the government. These can be paid directly to you, or your organisation. They may also be paid to other providers, such as your accommodation or childcare. The payout will be specified within the terms and conditions of the award. Scholarships and bursaries can be awarded by your university, organisations or charities.

The payment from a scholarship or bursary can vary, as can the amount. It could be a one-off payment at the beginning of your studies, distributed throughout the year, or given every term.

How do I find scholarships and bursaries?

There isn't one source of information to access what scholarships, bursaries and grants are available. You'll need to research to see what's out there and if you're eligible for it. Every award will have its own terms, conditions and eligibility requirements.

Each university will offer different scholarships, bursaries and grants for their students. These are often provided by alumni associations or philanthropic donation. Some scholarships and bursaries may be local to a specific region. These are usually offered by charities, businesses and organisations.

Useful resources for finding scholarships, bursaries and grants include the Blackbullion Funding Hub. It can help you apply for, track and discover funding opportunities. It's worth looking for a dedicated webpage on university websites for available scholarships and bursaries.

At Sunderland, we try to make it as easy as possible to access funding opportunities. You can find out what you're eligible for at Sunderland by using our calculator. We also have our available awards on their applicable course pages.

Some of our funding is also automatically applied if you're eligible. Always check to make sure you're not missing out!

How to apply for scholarships and bursaries

At Sunderland, many of our scholarships and bursaries are automatically awarded if you're eligible, meaning you don't need to apply. Always check the guidance notes to see if you need to apply for the award you're interested in.

For other scholarships and bursaries, the application process will be individualised. This means that how and when you apply will differ for each one. You should check the requirements carefully.

Things you should look out for when applying include:

• The amount awarded and what it can be used for
• If you meet the eligibility criteria
• What supporting evidence you may need
• What your application should include
• The deadline for applying
• Any future commitments required by the award.

Competition for scholarships and bursaries can be fierce. It's recommended that you apply early and tailor your application to meet the requirements. With every scholarship, the more of the requirements you meet, the more likely you are to be successful. Many scholarships or bursaries can be used together, so it's worthwhile applying to more than one.

It can be worth contacting those responsible for the scholarship or bursary you're interested in. This is especially true for external organisations. You'll either make a great impression, or they can keep you in mind for future opportunities. Knowing the benefactor of the award can also help you tailor your application. You can examine their motivations for offering the award, for example a business may be looking to recruit future employees. You can research previously successful applicants to see what made them stand out.

You may also need a reference for your application. Trusted teachers or employers can boost your application, but make sure the reference is relevant. For example, for a sport scholarship, you'd be recommended to ask your PE teacher, not your science teacher. It may be worthwhile asking them to review your application. Mistakes like typos can be the difference between a successful award and missing out.

Not all scholarships and bursaries are for students new to higher education. Some awards are specifically for those already in university. Keep these in mind if you're unsuccessful when first applying, as there may be another chance!

For your application, make sure you've provided everything they've asked for. The primary purpose of the application is to showcase your talents and why you deserve to be successful. Make sure your personality shines through and give clear examples of how you meet their requirements.

Scholarships and bursaries for postgraduate students

Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries are also available. These may not be as common, but can be equally as beneficial while continuing your education. We have a dedicated section of awards for postgraduate students.

At Sunderland, we offer the Alumni Loyalty Discount Scheme. This means if you want to continue studying with us, we can give you a 20% discount on your course fees. If you're eligible, this discount will be automatically applied.

For postgraduate scholarships and bursaries, the process is like applying to undergraduate awards. You'll need to check your eligibility, what is awarded, and more. The government has a guide to funding for postgraduate students, including loan information. There's also advice on postgraduate studentship, charities, trusts and more that may offer funding.

Scholarships and bursaries for international postgraduate students

International students can also benefit during postgraduate study from scholarships or bursaries. We have a dedicated section of awards exclusively for international students.

An example of an international scholarship we offer is the Tuk-Tam scholarship, for Bulgarian students. It allows students to gain a masters at a foreign university to benefit their home country. Recipients can get up to £9,000 and stay for up to 6 months after graduating for an internship or work placement.

The Government has advice on postgraduate scholarships for international students. This includes the Chevening, Commonwealth and Marshall scholarships.

According to UCAS, 75% of students who applied for a scholarship or bursary were successful. So what are you waiting for?

Most of the scholarships and bursaries we offer are automatically awarded if you meet the eligibility criteria.

Last updated: 28 August 2026