Undergraduate funding
Important: Information for students starting in or after 2012/13 can be found in the Undergraduate Prospectus.
Government Support
This is intended as a short introductory guide for those intending to study at the University and does not cover every situation. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here or its currency. For the latest information on government support for UK and EU students, please refer to the Directgov website
The information on this page is for full-time undergraduate students living in England. If you are a UK/EU student but do not live in England please click here to see information for you.
Full-time students living in England
There are two main forms of Government support which prospective UK undergraduates may apply for:
Maintenance Grant
The Maintenance Grant (or for some a Special Support Grant) is available to eligible full-time undergraduate students permanently resident in England. They are non-repayable sums of money paid by the Government to eligible students. Their value will depend on your household income and which country you are permanently resident in.
Eligible students who receive income-related benefits will receive a Special Support Grant rather than a Maintenance Grant.
Additional information about the Maintenance Grant and Special Support Grant can be found on the Directgov website (click here).
Student Loan
Eligible full-time undergraduate students permanently resident in England will be able to apply for a Student Loan for Fees to cover the cost of tuition fees and for a Student Loan for Maintenance to help with living costs. The loans are administered by the Student Loans Company (SLC).
Student Loan for Tuition Fees
The tuition fee portion of your loan is paid directly to the University on your behalf to cover your tuition fees.
Student Loan for Maintenance
The Student Loan for Maintenance is available to eligible students to help with living costs. The amount available will depend on your household income and where you live whilst you study. A portion of this loan is income-assessed meaning that students with a lower household income are eligible to apply for a greater amount.
Repayment of both loans will begin after you have finished studying and are earning over a certain amount per year.
Additional information about student loans can be found on the Directgov website (click here)
For more details about the Government support package for students, including eligibility criteria, how to apply and a calculator to determine how much you are eligible to borrow, see the Directgov website (click here).
Additional Forms of Government Support
Grants for students with children or other dependants
You may be eligible for extra support if you have children or adult dependants. Examples of these grants include the Childcare Grant, the Parents' Learning Allowance and the Adult Dependants' Grant. For further information about these sources of support including eligibility criteria, see the Directgov website (click here).
Grants for students with disabilities
If you are disabled and need adaptive equipment or support to enable you to study, you can apply for additional help. The University's Disability and Additional Needs Service (DANS) will be pleased to give further advice. For more details go to the DANS website and the Directgov website (click here).
Access to Learning Fund
This is a Government grant paid directly to the University to support full- and part-time UK undergraduates and postgraduates who are experiencing acute and unanticipated financial difficulties.
Eligibility is determined by BIS rules which identify priority categories such as mature students, those with caring responsibilities, those with special needs, and those experiencing a significant adverse change in personal circumstances. The grants are intended to assist with course costs and general living expenses.
For more information about the Access to Learning Fund go to the Directgov website (click here)
Please note that students may only apply for Access to Learning Fund support when they are registered on their course.
UK/EU Undergraduate Students Not Living in England
Students living in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Support packages for students living in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will differ from that described in this section which notes support available to students permanently resident in England. For up-to-date information on the support package which will be available to you, refer to the relevant student support website:
Non-UK EU Undergraduate Students
New non-UK EU full-time students may be eligible for a low interest tuition fee loan with repayment deferred until after you leave your course and start earning more than a specified amount a year.
More information can be found on the Directgov website (click here)