Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for an NHS bursary you must have been living in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for 3 years up to the start of the academic year. You may still be eligible if you do not meet the residency requirements - find out more from the NHS Business Services Authority.


If your course starts on or after 1 August 2018

You must be accepted for a place on a full or part-time NHS-funded course which will lead to you registering as a doctor or dentist.

You can apply for an NHS bursary from your 5th year on the 5 or 6 year undergraduate course or from your 2nd year on the 4 year accelerated graduate course.


If your course started in the 2017 to 2018 academic year

You must be accepted for a place on a full or part-time NHS-funded course which will lead to you registering as a: 

doctor or dentist (you can apply for an NHS bursary from the 5th year on the 5 or 6 year undergraduate course or from your 2nd year on the 4 year accelerated graduate course)

dental hygienist or dental therapist


If your course started before 1 August 2017

You must be accepted for a place on a full or part-time NHS-funded course which will lead to you registering as a:

doctor or dentist (you can apply for an NHS bursary from the 5th year on the 5 or 6 year undergraduate course or from your 2nd year on the 4 year accelerated graduate course)

chiropodist (including podiatrist), dietician, occupational therapist, orthoptist, physiotherapist, prosthetist, orthotist, radiographer, radiotherapist, audiologist or a speech and language therapist, dental hygienist or dental therapist, nurse, midwife or operating department practitioner (degree or diploma course)


Your total bursary amount depends on your household income. This can be either your own income, your parents’ income, or that of your partner, spouse or civil partner.

You may be eligible for an NHS bursary even if you’ve already had public funding for higher education.

If you’ve had an NHS bursary and want to change professions, you may also be eligible.


Information from https://www.gov.uk/nhs-bursaries/eligibility May 2024