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NHS Scholarship
If you are searching for the NHS scholarship, you are likely a prospective or current healthcare student looking for financial support to cover tuition, living costs, or placement expenses. The term “NHS scholarship” broadly refers to two main funding streams: the NHS Bursary for medical and dental students, and the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) for nursing, midwifery, and allied health students. The good news is that with the right application, you can access a NHS scholarship package worth over £10,000 annually, including non-repayable grants and allowances. Securing a NHS scholarship is not about luck; it is about understanding the specific eligibility criteria for your course and applying within strict deadlines.
What is the user looking for?
Users searching for “NHS scholarship” are typically in the consideration phase of their educational journey. They want to know:
- Am I eligible? (Course type, residency, year of study).
- How much money can I get? (Specific numbers for 2025/26).
- How do I apply? (The process, deadlines, and required documents).
- Is it a bursary or a scholarship? (Understanding the difference between non-repayable grants and loans).
What is the NHS Scholarship? (2025/26 Update)
Contrary to popular belief, there is no single “NHS scholarship” application. Instead, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) administers two distinct financial support schemes for healthcare students in England. If you are starting your course in 2025 or 2026, understanding which scheme applies to you is critical.
- NHS Bursary: A package of financial support specifically for medical and dental students (undergraduate and graduate entry) in years 5 and 6 (or years 2-4 for graduate courses). It includes a non-means tested bursary, a means-tested bursary, and tuition fee contributions .
- NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF): Available to students on a wide range of nursing, midwifery, and allied health pre-registration courses. It is designed to top up the standard student loan package .
The application window for the 2025/26 academic year is currently open. For students starting in September 2025 or January 2026, the payment structures have been updated to reflect the latest rates .
Who is Eligible for NHS Funding?
Eligibility depends entirely on your course, residency, and academic year.
Eligibility for NHS Bursary (Medical/Dental Students):
- You must normally live in England.
- You are studying a medical or dental course listed in the Office for Students’ intake.
- Undergraduate: You apply for years 5 and 6.
- Graduate Entry: You apply for years 2, 3, and 4 (if a 4-year course) .
Eligibility for NHS LSF (Nursing & Allied Health):
- You must be on a pre-registration course such as: Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, or Dietetics .
- You must be eligible for tuition fee and maintenance support from the Student Loans Company (SLC) .
- You cannot receive both the NHS Bursary and the NHS LSF simultaneously .
NHS Bursary vs. NHS Learning Support Fund: Key Differences
To clarify the confusion around the “NHS scholarship” term, here is a comparison of the two main funding bodies.
| Feature | NHS Bursary | NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) |
|---|---|---|
| Target Students | Medical & Dental Students | Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health Professionals |
| Course Year | Usually Years 5-6 (or 2-4 for grads) | All years of pre-registration courses |
| Key Payments | Non-means tested bursary (£1,052), Means-tested bursary (up to £3,356), Tuition fee contribution | Training Grant (£5,000), Specialist Subject Payment (£1,000), Parental Support (£2,000) |
| Tuition Fees | Direct contribution to uni (up to £9,535) | Covered by Student Loans Company (SLC) |
| Application Portal | NHS Bursary Account | NHS LSF Account |
How Much Can You Get? (Breakdown of Payments)
If you are eligible for the NHS scholarship (via LSF or Bursary), the financial support is significant. Here is the breakdown for the 2025/26 academic year.
NHS LSF (Nursing, Midwives, AHPs)
- Training Grant: £5,000 per year (paid termly).
- Specialist Subject Payment: An extra £1,000 for courses facing recruitment challenges, such as Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing, and Radiography .
- Parental Support: £2,000 per year if you have dependent children under 15 (or under 17 with SEN) .
- Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE): Reimbursement for excess travel costs and accommodation while on mandatory clinical placements .
NHS Bursary (Medical & Dental)
- Non-Means Tested Bursary: £1,052 for all eligible students.
- Means-Tested Bursary:
- Up to £3,356 (if in London, not living with parents).
- Up to £2,780 (if outside London, not living with parents).
- Up to £2,321 (if living with parents) .
- Tuition Fee Contribution:
- Up to £9,535 for 5-6 year undergrad courses.
- Up to £3,830 for graduate entry courses .
How to Apply for the NHS Scholarship
The application process is entirely digital through the NHSBSA. It is crucial to apply within the correct timeframe to secure your funding before the term starts.
- Determine Your Scheme: Verify whether you need the NHS Bursary (Med/Dent) or the NHS LSF (Nursing/Allied Health).
- Create an Account: Visit the NHSBSA Student Services website and register for the correct portal.
- Gather Documents: You will need your Student Finance England (SFE) confirmation letter, bank details, passport, and birth certificates for children (if applying for Parental Support).
- Apply Early: The application window is open, but you must apply within 9 months of the start of the academic year for the Bursary, or 6 months for LSF .
- Confirm Attendance: Once your university confirms your attendance (COSA), payments are released in termly instalments .
People Also Ask
- What is the difference between NHS bursary and NHS scholarship?
There is no formal “scholarship,” but the term is used interchangeably. The NHS Bursary is for medical students, while the NHS LSF (Training Grant) is for nursing and allied health students. - Do I have to pay back the NHS scholarship?
No. Unlike student loans, the NHS scholarship (including the Training Grant, Bursary, and Parental Support) is a grant that does not need to be repaid . - Can international students get an NHS scholarship?
Generally, no. Funding is typically reserved for “home” students (UK residents) with settled status, specifically those who normally live in England . - How much is the NHS bursary for nursing students?
Nursing students do not get the “Bursary”; they get the NHS LSF, which includes a £5,000 Training Grant, plus potential extra payments . - When does the NHS scholarship application open for 2026?
For the 2025/26 academic year, applications are already open. For 2026/27 starts, invitations are usually sent out in the spring/summer prior to the course start . - Can I get the NHS scholarship if I already have a degree?
Yes. If you are doing a second degree in a qualifying field (like Graduate Entry Medicine or Nursing), you are often eligible for funding in the later years of your course . - Do paramedic students get the NHS scholarship?
Yes. Paramedic students (excluding DipHE courses) are eligible for the NHS LSF, including the £5,000 Training Grant and TDAE for placement travel . - What is the Exceptional Support Fund (ESF)?
This is part of the NHS LSF. If you experience unexpected financial hardship, you can apply for up to £3,000 per academic year to help you continue your studies .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need to apply for a student loan to get the NHS scholarship?
A: Yes, for most cases (especially LSF). You must be eligible for the standard tuition fee and maintenance loan from Student Finance England. However, you do not need to take the full loan; you just need to be eligible for it .
Q: What is the deadline for the 2025/26 application?
A: For the NHS Bursary, you must apply within 9 months of the start date of your academic year. For the NHS LSF, the deadline is 6 months from the start of the academic year .
Q: How are payments made?
A: Payments are made directly into your bank account in three termly instalments (e.g., Term 1 payments were processed in November 2025 for September starters) .
