For students starting in September 2025

The University of Bedfordshire is strongly committed to opening up higher education to all students who want to study for a degree, without worrying about finance and funding. So we have put in place bursaries that will support you if you are under 25 and leaving care or estranged from your family (that is, studying without your family’s financial or emotional support). These bursaries are designed to help you to live independently while at University and focus on making a success of your studies.

These bursaries are available to those students under the age of 25 at the start of their degree course who are paying £9,535 in tuition fees and can provide either confirmation of their care experience status from their local authority or independent status from Student Finance England (SFE).

Either of these bursaries are worth £5,700 over three academic years or £7,600 over four academic years (including a Foundation Year). N.B. Students can only receive one bursary.

While there are no restrictions on the nationality of applicants, you must be resident in the UK and enrolled on a full-time BA/BSc/BEng/LLB degree.

We will support you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to be successful during your course and after graduation. We will also work hard to ensure our support services are as accessible as possible for all students while also understanding you may not want or need any additional support. Contact Student Support directly at student.engagement@beds.ac.uk or maxine.frampton@beds.ac.uk

As part of the University's promise to you, your privacy and anonymity will be assured at all times.

As a care experienced or independent from family student, you are entitled to the following benefits.

• If you join us, we will provide you with clear information about support services, both through the University website, handbooks and the student support centres across campuses.
• As well as giving you the first taste of independence, there is University accommodation which you can arrange for all year round stay in halls for the duration of your course.
• You will receive your Bursary in instalments across the academic year, totalling £1,900 each year of study
• The bursary is not payable during a year out from on-campus study, such as the Professional Practice Year, and there is only one payment per level of progressed study.

How to apply for the bursary

Submit an application form and evidence at the start of your 1^st year of study, then evidence only in your 2^nd and 3^rd year. Application forms are available from Student Money Advice or online (see below).

When applying, you need to provide evidence in the form of:

• an original letter from your local authority confirming your care leaver status or your independent status letter from SFE, whichever is applicable.
• confirmation of funding from Student Finance England/Wales or from NHS Learning Support funding (for nursing and health students).

Contact sma@beds.ac.uk for more information or general queries about either the Care Experienced Bursary and the Independent From Family Bursary.

Alternatively call in at a SMA Drop-In, available Monday, Tuesday or Thursday from 10am–12pm at Luton campus; Wednesday or Thursday from 10am-12pm at Bedford campus. You can also log an enquiry with SiD online

Online resources

• Care Experienced Bursary Application
• Independent From Family Bursary Application
• Care Experienced and Independent From Family Bursary Guide [PDF]
• Care Experienced Bursary Terms and Conditions [DOCX]
• Independent From Family Bursary Terms and Conditions [DOCX]