There are some courses which provide students with some extra funding.

They are mainly linked to a professional qualification.

NHS Bursaries

The NHS provides bursaries for certain approved Higher Education courses as Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Radiography. Orthoptics, Chiropody, Dietetics and Speech Therapy, and for the fifth and subsequent years of Medicine and Dentistry courses.

The amount of the bursary is the same as that allowed for living costs through student loans, but you do not have to repay them.

Students who are eligible for NHS bursaries are not expected to contribute towards fees.

The bursaries are means tested – except Diplomas in Nursing and Midwifery in England and Wales and Degrees in Nursing and Midwifery in Wales.

If offered a place on a course covered by an NHS bursary, the university or college concerned will advise the student

Details about NHS funding can be found in the booklet ‘Financial Help for Health Care Students in Wales’ available from NHS Wales Student Awards Unit on 02920 261495. If planning to study in England contact the NHS Pensions Agency Student Grants website www.nhspa.gov.uk

Teacher Training Support

There is special help on offer if planning to start teacher training, including a bursary of £6,000, if already a graduate. If the course being studied leads to a Qualified Teacher Status tuition fees will be paid in full.

If the teacher training course is at a college or university in Wales, and in a ‘shortage’ subject such as Maths, Science or Welsh, it may be possible to qualify for an extra grant of £4,000 when the first year’s teaching has been successfully completed.

If taking a secondary postgraduate course through the medium of Welsh, you may be able to apply for a Welsh medium incentive supplement of £1,200. After qualification there is an expectation that the student would look for a post in a Welsh medium school.

You can get more details from the Welsh Language Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000992. English speakers in Wales can call the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000991. They will also give details on the financial incentives on offer for students who attend teacher training courses at colleges and universities in England.

Drama and Dance Training

Some Performing Arts courses do not attract LEA financial support.

Special Dance and Drama awards are available to a limited number of students on approved courses. These are funded by the Department for Education and Skills and offer greatly reduced tuition fees and help with living and learning costs at some of the leading private Dance and Drama training providers in England.

The Dance and Drama awards are for people who want to become professional dancers, actors or stage managers. Each year there are 525 Awards for new students and demand for them is high. To qualify for an Award a student must be aged 16 or over for dance courses and 18 or over for acting or stage management courses.

The local LEA Grants Department or Careers Centre can provide more details.

Further information can be obtained from the DfES Dance and Drama website, www.dfes.gov.uk/financialhelp/dancedrama or from the National Council for Drama training.

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Tuition Fees
Student Loans
Assembly Learning Grant
Bursaries
Sponsorship
Funded Courses
Other Sources of Money