University scholarships, bursaries and discounts

University of Leicester Bursary Scheme

Studying at Leicester as a Citizen of Change is rewarding and can lead to a great career. But being a student means managing your finances carefully – and that can be even more of a challenge if you are coming from a low-income background. 

For courses starting in the academic year 2025/26, the University of Leicester Bursary Scheme can help you if you have:

*For us to verify that you have a household income of £30,000 or less, you will need to be means tested by Student Finance. This will happen automatically if you are taking out a student loan, however, for those that do not wish to take out a student loan you are still able to be means tested by following the guidance to be assessed for the means tested (higher rate) Maintenance Loan but requesting a Maintenance Loan of £0 when prompted.

If you are eligible, we will give you £1,000 cash for each year of your course (not including an industrial placement). This will be paid to you at the start of semester 2 (mid-February if you start your course in September, or mid-July if you start your course in April) usually through your Student Loan Company account.

Find eligibility requirements for courses that started prior to September 2025 (log-in required).

Additional eligibility criteria 2025/26

  • You must be classified as a home student for fee purposes
  • You must not have previously completed a degree
  • You must be a full time, campus-based student
  • You must be registered as a full-time undergraduate student at the University of Leicester

Available for all subjects, including Medicine**.

There is no need to apply for the University of Leicester Bursary. Your eligibility for this bursary will be automatically assessed based on the above criteria at the end of your first semester (January for September starters and June/July  for April starters). Please ensure the University has your most up to date details, and if appropriate that your details are up to date with the Student Loans Company. We will email you at your university email address  at the end of semester 1 to inform you that you’ve been awarded the bursary and that you will be receiving the payment mid-February for September starters or mid-July for April starters.

The University of Leicester reserves the right to make changes to these arrangements, or to withdraw aspects of the scheme or add new elements.

**Medical students
If you are a medical student and are awarded the University of Leicester Bursary, you will receive this for the first four years of your degree. You will not receive the University of Leicester Bursary for the fifth year of your degree because you will receive funding for fees and living costs directly from the NHS. Medicine Foundation Year students are not eligible for the University of Leicester Bursary at any point during their foundation year or subsequent degree. Alternative funds are available via the foundation year programme.

FAQs

General bursary information

  • A bursary is money from the University for students and it doesn't have to be paid back. It is in addition to government funding.
  • There is no limit on the number of eligible students who can qualify for a bursary.
  • Eligible students must be first degree, full time, campus-based entrants.
  • We use the details you submit to UCAS and SLC to assess and pay your entitlement for the University of Leicester Bursary Scheme. You don’t need to apply for it. If you’re eligible, we'll email you at the end of the first semester to confirm the amount you'll receive and when it will be paid.

Will I receive the bursary if I transfer from another university (and don’t enter the first year of a course)?

If you satisfy all eligibility criteria, you can receive the University of Leicester Bursary. Contact welfare@leicester.ac.uk and submit evidence that you are eligible for the bursary for this academic year. This should be done by May of that academic year. Bursaries must be assessed and paid within the academic year you are studying and cannot be backdated. Please also ensure the University has all your necessary details to assess and make the bursary payment.

Will I receive the bursary if I repeat a year of study or transfer to a new course at Leicester?

If you repeat a year, you will be entitled to a maximum of one year’s funding in addition to your course length.

If you transfer to another course at the University of Leicester, you will still be entitled to a bursary. The maximum number of years that a student is eligible is their course length plus one.

What happens if my personal circumstances change within the year?

If your circumstances change, for example if your family home address changes, your eligibility may be affected in future years. If this is the case, you will not have to repay any of your bursary you have already received.

If you were not eligible for a bursary in year one of your course, and your circumstances change, you may receive the bursary in subsequent years if you satisfy all eligibility criteria and submit evidence that you are eligible before the end of May. See below information for details about what you should do.

Based on the published eligibility criteria, I believe that I am eligible for a bursary. What should I do?

If you are a first-year student and in your second semester of study and have not received confirmation that you will receive the bursary but believe you meet the eligibility criteria for the current academic year, please email scholarships@leicester.ac.uk. Please supply your student number along with the reason and appropriate evidence for why you are entitled to a bursary. This should be done no later than the end of April.

If you are a second year or third year student and you believe you meet the eligibility criteria based on the year you started, please email welfare@leicester.ac.uk and inform us of your student number along with the reason and appropriate evidence for why you are entitled to a bursary. This should be done no later than the end of April for that academic year.

The University is unable to make any payments for previous years. We can only assess you on your current academic year based on the eligibility criteria at the time you started your course.

The University may review the value and eligibility criteria of the University of Leicester Bursary from time to time.

Students who are not eligible for a bursary

  • Students who already hold an undergraduate degree
  • Students undertaking a paid or unpaid year in industry (in the UK or abroad) as part of their degree during their placement year will not receive the bursary for that year.
  • Students on any year of their course where they are entitled to NHS fee funding.
  • Students who are registered as “without residence”.

Scholarships and bursaries general terms and conditions

Read more about the general terms and conditions for scholarships and bursaries.

Read the terms and conditions
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