University Bursary

Bursary information for 2023/2024

The University of Derby Bursary provides targeted financial assistance with the costs of higher education to those who are eligible*. The Bursary is available to new undergraduate students entering higher education for the first time from September 2023 onwards**.

Eligible students will receive £600 or £1,000 per academic year depending on their household income (£100 of this amount will be received in the form of a resource card). 

Bursaries are assessed on household income and are paid directly to you (in instalments).

Household Income Bursary
£0 - £25,000 £1,000 (£900 plus £100 study resource card)
£25,001 - £36,592 £600 (£500 plus £100 study resource card)

You will receive the maintenance (cash) element of your bursary in three instalments over the academic year (you can use the money to reduce any of your expenses associated with studying).

You can receive a Bursary if:

* Overseas students, EU Students, postgraduate students, part-time students, online students, PGCE students and students studying professional courses are not eligible for support.

* Students who commenced study prior to 1 September 2023 (or have undertaken any period of HE study prior to 1 September 2023) are not eligible for support.

* The University is reviewing its financial support offer for 2024/25 entrants (onwards)

How do I apply?

You do not need to make an application for the University of Derby Bursary. Entitlement is assessed automatically using the household income details given to the University by your Funding Authority (i.e. Student Finance England / Wales / Northern Ireland / SAAS).

In order to assess you for a Bursary your sponsor(s) (parents/partner) will need to give consent to share their income details through Student Finance.

If your sponsor(s) has not given consent to share their information, they can contact the appropriate funding authority directly.

Continuing students

If you have received a Bursary in previous academic years, we will continue to assess your eligibility using the standard eligibility criteria.

Eligibility for a Bursary is based on successful progression through your studies (i.e. stage 1, stage 2, stage 3 etc.).

Notification of all Bursary awards (payments, dates etc.) will be e-mailed to all eligible students automatically.

Student outdoor

University Bursary FAQs

We’ve tried to answer some questions you may have about the University Bursary below. If you have any further questions, please contact the SMART team by email at smart@derby.ac.uk

Eligibility for the University Bursary is assessed automatically using the household income details given to the University by the Student Loans Company (SLC). There is no application required.

Notification of any Bursary award (payments, dates etc.) will be e-mailed to students after enrolment. For September starters, this could be anytime up to the end of October. For March starters, this could be anytime up to the end of April.

Bursary payments are made in three instalments over the academic year. For September starters, this will be November, February and May. For March starters, this will be May, July and December. Payment dates and amounts will be confirmed via e-mail.

If you have received a Bursary in a previous academic year, we will continue to assess your eligibility using the standard eligibility criteria. Eligibility for a Bursary is based on successful progression through your studies (i.e. Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3 etc.). Bursaries are not available twice for the same Stage.

If you’re joining us from overseas, you’re not eligible for the University Bursary, although we have a range of scholarships and discounts available to international students.

Contact us

We know it's complicated so our friendly SMART team can talk you through it all. 

E: smart@derby.ac.uk