Social Work Bursary

Since 1st April 2007, the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) administers the social work bursary and postgraduate bursary on behalf of the Department of Health (DH). The bursary scheme was previously administered by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).

The DH undertook a review of its Arms Length Bodies in 2004, of which the GSCC is one, and decided that all health and social care student bursaries should be administered by one single body. The NHSBSA was established in 2006 to undertake a range of administration services for the NHS and social care bodies. It is already the main processing facility for payment, reimbursement, remuneration and reconciliation for NHS patients, employees and other student bursaries.

The Social Work Bursary

The social work bursary is available to students ordinarily resident in England studying on an approved undergraduate course (full or part time).

Students must also meet other certain eligibility criteria. Click here for more details on eligibility.

The bursary is non-income assessed which means that earnings, savings and other sources of income are not taken into consideration. It includes a basic grant, a fixed contribution towards practice learning opportunity related expenses and tuition fees if you are not subject to variable fees. Financial awards are dependant on individual circumstances. Click here for further information on the bursary.

The Social Work Bursary for Students on Postgraduate Courses

The social work bursary for students on postgraduate courses is available to students ordinarily resident in England studying on an approved postgraduate course. Students must also meet other certain eligibility criteria. Click here for more details on the eligibility criteria.

The bursary consists of a non-income assessed basic grant including a fixed contribution towards practice learning opportunity related expenses and tuition fee support.

It also includes an income assessed maintenance grant and income assessed allowances to assist with certain costs of living, as recipients of the postgraduate bursary will not ordinarily be entitled to local authority funding. Financial awards are dependent on individual circumstances. Click here for further information on the social work bursary for students on postgraduate courses.

For further information please select a link below:

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Application Packs
• Lists of Eligible Courses in England
• List of Eligible Courses in Wales
• List of Eligible course in Scotland
• List of Eligible course in Northern Ireland
• Bursary Payment Dates
• Service Standards
• Contact Us
• Information on Careers as a Social Worker