Bursaries and Scholarships

This information is for students commencing their studies in the 2026-27 academic year.  You can see the full terms and conditions and guidance in our Policy and Guidance document.

Care Experienced Bursary

A non-repayable £1,500 cash bursary may be available if you are care-experienced. This bursary also includes a £1,000 fee waiver and support towards accommodation costs (where relevant).

You can apply for this bursary if:

• You are a UK undergraduate student paying tuition fees of at least £6,525 for 2026/27 entrants, including foundation degrees and foundation year for Creative and Performing Arts, Engineering, Medical subjects and Science courses or £3,835 for foundation year for mainly Business, Humanities, Social Sciences for 2026/27 entrants (level 3 only before being moved to the above for Levels 4-6).
• You have been in local authority care for at least three months before the age of 18, or have been subject to a Special Guardianship Order.
• Under 25 on 1st September of the first academic year of your current course with a minimum of 3 months spent in care prior to your 18th birthday.

If eligible, the Care Experienced Bursary is available once for each level of study.

Further information about this package is available on the Support Packages page.

Applications are limited, so please contact studentservices@chester.ac.uk for further details.

Estranged Student Bursary

A non-repayable £1,500 cash bursary may be available if you are estranged from your family. This bursary also includes support towards accommodation costs (where relevant).

You can apply for this bursary if:

• You are a UK undergraduate student paying tuition fees of at least £6,525 for 2026/27 entrants, including foundation degrees and foundation year for Creative and Performing Arts, Engineering, Medical subjects and Science courses or £3,835 for foundation year for mainly Business, Humanities, Social Sciences for 2026/27 entrants (level 3 only before being moved to the above for Levels 4-6).
• You have been assessed as independent due to estrangement by Student Finance.
• Under 25 on 1st September of the first academic year of your current course.

If eligible, you will need to continue to evidence your estranged status each academic year.

Further information about this package is available on the Support Packages page.

Applications are limited, so please contact studentservices@chester.ac.uk for further details.  

Carer Support Package

A non-repayable £1,500 cash bursary may be available if you have caring responsibilities.  

You can apply for this bursary if:

• You are a UK undergraduate student paying tuition fees of at least £6,525 for 2026/27 entrants, including foundation degrees and foundation year for Creative and Performing Arts, Engineering, Medical subjects and Science courses or £3,835 for foundation year for mainly Business, Humanities, Social Sciences for 2026/27 entrants (level 3 only before being moved to the above for Levels 4-6).
• You are registered with a recognised carer organisation.
• You regularly care for a sick, elderly, or disabled family member.
• You were previously in receipt of Carer’s Benefits, have a notification letter or have section B of the University of Chester application form completed by a healthcare professional, social worker or staff member from a carer network. Note, you cannot claim carer's benefit as a full time student.
• You have a means-tested household income of £40,000 or less as assessed by the Student Loans Company.

If eligible, you will need to continue to evidence your caring responsibilities each academic year.

Further information about this package is available on the Support Packages page.

Applications are limited, so please contact studentservices@chester.ac.uk for further details.  

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater Bursary

A non-repayable £1,500 cash bursary may be available if you are a member of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, or Boater community.

You can apply for this bursary if:

• You are a UK undergraduate student paying tuition fees of at least £6,525 for 2026/27 entrants, including foundation degrees and foundation year for Creative and Performing Arts, Engineering, Medical subjects and Science courses or £3,835 for foundation year for mainly Business, Humanities, Social Sciences for 2026/27 entrants (level 3 only before being moved to the above for Levels 4-6).
• You have identified as Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, or Boater on your UCAS / enrolment application.

If eligible, this bursary is available for each year of your course.

Applications are limited, so please contact studentservices@chester.ac.uk for further details.

This information is correct at the time of publication. Unless otherwise stated, all bursaries are for students ordinarily resident in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.