NHS funding for medical students
Students in the final (clinical) years of their MBBS may be able to get funding from the NHS.
There are two types of bursaries:
- an award providing full tuition fee support and a means-tested bursary
- a tuition fees only bursary
NHS funding is programme and fee status dependent, please see our Funding for English-domiciled students webpage for further information.
Accordion widget - application information
How do I apply
If you are offered a place on an NHS-funded medicine course, NHS Student Bursaries (or the relevant awarding body) will contact you to let you know how to apply.
You still need to apply to the funding authority for your region for additional government funded support that you may need during these years e.g. Maintenance Loan. The NHS funding you receive will affect the amount of government funding you receive for these years.
You may be eligible to have your tuition fees paid by the NHS even if you are not eligible for any support towards maintenance. Therefore, if you wish the NHS to pay your tuition fees you are still required to apply to the NHS, even if you do not believe you will not be eligible for a maintenance bursary.
What could I be entitled to?
he NHS Business Services Authority produces a detailed guide to what support is available:
- For courses starting before 1 September 2012 (PDF)
- For courses starting on or after 1 September 2012 (PDF)
Please bear in mind that eligibility for and the source of your bursary is dependent on where you are living. Use the links below to find out more information:
- Students living in Northern Ireland: NI Direct Government Services
- Students living in Scotland: Student Awards Agency for Scotland
- Students living in Wales: Students Finance Wales
When to apply
| Date you can apply from | Deadline date | NHS course start date |
|---|---|---|
| 4 March 2019 | 26 April 2019 | June 2019 |
| 24 May 2019 | July 2019 | |
| 28 June 2019 | August 2019 | |
| 26 July 2019 | September 2019 | |
| 23 August 2019 | October 2019 |
Continuing students
Continuing Medical students are students who were in receipt of NHS Bursary funding in the previous academic year will be invited to apply by NHS Bursaries from April 2019. NHS Bursaries must receive your bursary application, including all your supporting information, within nine months of the first date of your academic year.
Find out more
Enquiries about NHS bursaries
For enquiries about the NHS bursaries, contact us.
For enquiries regarding the tuition fees element of a full bursary or any enquiries relating to a fees only bursary, contact the Tuition Fees team directly.
Further information is also available via:
- NHS Student Bursaries webpage
Independent general advice and guidance specifically tailored for medical students is available from Money 4 Med Students.
NHS BSA contacts (students living in England and EU students only)
The NHS BSA has a number of dedicated webpages for specific enquiries for English-domiciled students and, where applicable, EU students:
- Childcare allowance (CCA): details are available via the NHS Student Bursaries webpage.
- Disabled students' allowance (DSA): information is available via the NHS Student Bursaries webpage.
- Complaints and appeals: nhsbsa.bursarycomplaints@nhs.net
Students living in Scotland or Northern Ireland
For information on bursaries and support for Scottish and Northern Irish domiciled students please contact your relevant funding body:
- Student from Northern Ireland: Student Finance NI (Helpline: 0300 100 0077)
- Students from Scotland: Student Awards Agency for Scotland (Helpline: 0300 555 0505)