2026/27
Family earns under £25k? What each uni pays
21 of the 30 universities here pay a bursary if your household earns under £25,000. The biggest is LSE: up to £4,250 a year. It's money you don't pay back, usually paid on top of your student loan.
| University | Household income | Up to, a year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LSELSE Bursary | Up to £30,000 | £4,250 |
| 2 | University of CambridgeCambridge Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £3,500 |
| 3 | University of BathBath Bursary (year 1) | Up to £30,000 | £2,750 |
| 4 | Durham UniversityDurham Undergraduate Bursary | Under £30,000 | £2,721 |
| 5 | University of ManchesterManchester Bursary | Up to £31,000 | £2,600 |
| 6 | University of WarwickWarwick Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £2,500 |
| 7 | University of LeedsLeeds Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £2,000 |
| 8 | University of BirminghamChamberlain Award | Up to £25,000 | £2,000 |
| 9 | King's College LondonKing's Living Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £2,000 |
| 10 | University of LiverpoolLiverpool Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £2,000 |
| 11 | Newcastle UniversityOpportunity Scholarship | Up to £25,000 | £2,000 |
| 12 | University of ReadingReading Bursary | Up to £27,000 | £1,700 |
| 13 | University of NottinghamCore Bursary | Up to £35,000 | £1,400 |
| 14 | Royal Holloway University of LondonRoyal Holloway Bursary | Under £25,000 | £1,300 |
| 15 | University of SheffieldSheffield bursary | Up to £25,000 | £1,000 |
| 16 | University of YorkYork Bursary | Up to £35,000 | £1,000 |
| 17 | Loughborough UniversityLoughborough University Bursary | Up to £30,000 | £1,000 |
| 18 | University of SussexSussex Bursary (year 1) | Under £35,000 | £1,000 |
| 19 | University of KentKFSP £1,000 cash per year | Under £35,000 | £1,000 |
| 20 | Bournemouth UniversityBU Maintenance Bursary | Up to £25,000 | £800 |
| 21 | Nottingham Trent UniversityNTU Bursary | Up to £27,500 | £750 |
Only if your family earns less 8
These have a lower income limit, so check it against your household income.
| 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 | UCLUCL Undergraduate Bursary | Up to £16,000 | £3,000 |
| 4 | University of BristolUniversity of Bristol Bursary | Up to £10,000 | £2,500 |
| 5 | University of ExeterAccess to Exeter Bursary | Up to £16,000 | £2,300 |
| 6 | University of SouthamptonSouthampton Undergraduate Bursary | Up to £23,200 | £2,000 |
| 7 | Queen Mary University of LondonQueen Mary Bursary | Under £20,000 | £1,700 |
| 8 | University of East AngliaUEA Bursary | Up to £20,000 | £1,600 |
Main income-based bursaries for 2026/27 entry, from each university's official page (checked 2026-10-10). Amounts shown are the most each pays; some pay less as income rises.
Questions
Can I get a bursary if my family earns under £25,000?
At most universities, yes. 21 of the 30 universities on this page pay their main bursary to students from households earning under £25,000.
How much could I get?
Up to £4,250 a year at LSE. Most pay £1,000 to £3,500 a year.
Is household income before or after tax?
Student Finance looks at your household's income before tax, with some allowances such as pension contributions, and universities usually use that same figure. Check the university's page for its exact rules.
Do I need to apply separately?
Often not: many universities pay their bursary automatically using your Student Finance income assessment, as long as you agree to share it. Some need a separate form, so check each page.