2026/27
Which UK universities give the biggest bursaries?
University of Oxford gives the biggest: up to £6,270 a year (Crankstart Bursary, household income up to £7,500), then Imperial College London (£5,000) and LSE (£4,250). These are each university's main income-based bursary for 2026/27: money you don't pay back.
| University | Household income | Up to, a year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of OxfordCrankstart Bursary | Up to £7,500 | £6,270 |
| 2 | Imperial College LondonImperial Bursary | Up to £16,000 | £5,000 |
| 3 | LSELSE Bursary | Up to £30,000 | £4,250 |
| 4 | University of CambridgeCambridge Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £3,500 |
| 5 | UCLUCL Undergraduate Bursary | Up to £16,000 | £3,000 |
| 6 | University of BathBath Bursary (year 1) | Up to £30,000 | £2,750 |
| 7 | Durham UniversityDurham Undergraduate Bursary | Under £30,000 | £2,721 |
| 8 | University of ManchesterManchester Bursary | Up to £31,000 | £2,600 |
| 9 | University of WarwickWarwick Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £2,500 |
| 10 | University of BristolUniversity of Bristol Bursary | Up to £10,000 | £2,500 |
| 11 | University of ExeterAccess to Exeter Bursary | Up to £16,000 | £2,300 |
| 12 | University of LeedsLeeds Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £2,000 |
| 13 | University of BirminghamChamberlain Award | Up to £25,000 | £2,000 |
| 14 | King's College LondonKing's Living Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £2,000 |
| 15 | University of SouthamptonSouthampton Undergraduate Bursary | Up to £23,200 | £2,000 |
| 16 | University of LiverpoolLiverpool Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £2,000 |
| 17 | Newcastle UniversityOpportunity Scholarship | Up to £25,000 | £2,000 |
| 18 | University of ReadingReading Bursary | Up to £27,000 | £1,700 |
| 19 | Queen Mary University of LondonQueen Mary Bursary | Under £20,000 | £1,700 |
| 20 | University of East AngliaUEA Bursary | Up to £20,000 | £1,600 |
| 21 | University of NottinghamCore Bursary | Up to £35,000 | £1,400 |
| 22 | Royal Holloway University of LondonRoyal Holloway Bursary | Under £25,000 | £1,300 |
| 23 | University of SheffieldSheffield bursary | Up to £25,000 | £1,000 |
| 24 | University of YorkYork Bursary | Up to £35,000 | £1,000 |
| 25 | Lancaster UniversityLancaster Bursary | Means-tested | £1,000 |
| 26 | Loughborough UniversityLoughborough University Bursary | Up to £30,000 | £1,000 |
| 27 | University of SussexSussex Bursary (year 1) | Under £35,000 | £1,000 |
| 28 | University of KentKFSP £1,000 cash per year | Under £35,000 | £1,000 |
| 29 | Bournemouth UniversityBU Maintenance Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £800 |
| 30 | Nottingham Trent UniversityNTU Bursary | Up to £27,500 | £750 |
Amounts are the most each bursary pays, for 2026/27 entry, taken from each university's official bursary page (checked 2026-10-10). Bath's figure includes campus credit and accommodation support; Sussex's is year one. Amounts and limits can change, so check the university's page before you apply.
Questions
Which UK university gives the biggest bursary?
Of the 30 universities here, University of Oxford gives the most: up to £6,270 a year through the Crankstart Bursary for household incomes up to £7,500.
Do you have to pay a bursary back?
No. A university bursary is money you don't repay, unlike the student loan.
What household income do I need?
Each university sets its own limit. Here they range from £10,000 to £35,000 a year, and many pay a smaller amount as income rises. The table shows each limit.
How do I get one?
Most of these bursaries use the household income that Student Finance assesses, so you usually need to apply for student finance and agree to share your income details with your university. Check each university's page for its exact rules.