NHS funded courses

All undergraduate and postgraduate nursing, midwifery and most allied health profession students can access student loans, and there is an additional government grant for some healthcare students.

Two student nurses talking to patient lay on bed

In addition, postgraduate pre-registration nursing and allied health profession students are able to access the standard student loans available to undergraduate students. Find out more about this from the Funding Clinic.

Payments are available to nursing, midwifery and many allied health professional degree students. The funding does not have to be paid back, the funding available includes:

  • training grant of £5,000 per year
  • parental support payment of £2,000 per student per year to help with childcare costs
  • specialist subject payment of £1,000 per year for students on degrees that struggle to recruit, including mental health and learning disability nursing
  • help towards additional travel and accommodation costs to clinical placements over your normal daily travel costs
  • an exceptional hardship fund of up to £3,000 per student per academic year

Applications for the funding will be made through a digital portal run by the NHS Business Services Authority which manages the NHS Learning Support Fund.   

NHS funding 


Other funding opportunities

The College of Radiographers' Valerie Carr Award supports individuals to study and graduate in pre-registration therapeutic radiography in England and Wales. In England, award recipients have their fees paid for up to three years. Find out more details and how to apply here.

The Esmond Bequest is available to members of the Nightingale Fellowship and provides financial assistance for continuing education and professional development in the form of fees for courses or study days or associated costs. More information available here 

The Iolanthe Midwifery Trust Midwives Award is to enable midwives to undergo self-development or training, to undertake research or to make improvements to local services. More information available here. 

The RCN Foundation’s Professional Bursary Scheme supports individuals in learning and development activities such as post-graduate university study or professional short courses. More information available here

RCN Foundation Education Grants - The RCN have a range of grants available to Nurses, Midwives and Health Care Assistants to fund a wide variety of learning, development and research opportunities. More information available here.


Student FinanceNHS finance

If you have any further questions please contact the student finance team on:

What should you do next?

Find out what support is available

We've got all the information you need to understand the financial support that's available from both the government at BCU. 

Financial support

See if you're eligible for one of our scholarships

We want all our students to achieve their full potential. With our High Achiever and Accelerate Scholarships, you could receive extra funding and support to kick start your BCU journey.

Find out more about scholarships

Become a money-savvy student

Not sure how much it costs to live on your own, commute to uni or do your own food shop? We've put together all of the information and top tips you need to become a budgeting expert.

Student living costs