Funding for UK (Home) Students
If you're planning to start a full-time undergraduate course, it's important to identify your student funding provider, based on where you normally live — not where you’ll study. You should apply to your funding provider before starting your course to ensure your financial support is in place. It's important to know that:
- Eligible students can apply for funding from the Student Loans Company
- Funding is available for every year of your course for first time students (including foundation and placement years)
- You apply for funding for each year of study, in advance of starting that year
- You can apply before you have a confirmed place at university
- Applications open each spring for UK (Home) students commencing studies in the September
- Applications can be amended after submission
Most students can apply online via their funding provider’s website.
- England – Student Finance England (SFE)
- Northern Ireland – Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI)
- Wales – Student Finance Wales (SFW)
- Scotland – Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
- Isle of Man – Government Student Awards
- Jersey / Guernsey – States education departments
What’s available?
- Tuition Fee Loan: Covers your course fees in full (paid directly to the university)
- Maintenance Loan: Helps with living costs (how much you get depends on household income, where you live, etc.)
- Additional support: e.g. Disabled Students’ Allowance, Childcare Grant, and Parents’ Learning Allowance. Please see the sections below to see if you are eligible for any additional support.
Northumbria University also offers a range of scholarships and fee discounts.
Please take time to view our guidance Applying for your undergraduate funding from the Student Loans Company which explains how to select the correct course for funding for the first year of your studies at Northumbria.
Financial support is available for eligible students studying part-time undergraduate or postgraduate courses, including distance learning. This typically includes Tuition Fee Loans and, in some cases, Maintenance Loans, depending on your course intensity and personal circumstances.
Full details, including eligibility and how to apply, are available on the Student Finance England website.
Students living in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland should check with their regional funding providers for specific information:
- Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
- Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI)
- Student Finance Wales (SFW)
For postgraduate funding, see:
If you’re a Care Leaver joining Northumbria, our financial support can give you greater stability and peace of mind as you take the next step in your journey. That’s why we offer dedicated financial support to help you settle into university life and focus on your studies.
If you're a Care Leaver enrolling as a full-time undergraduate student, you could be eligible to receive financial support of up to £2,000 to help with living costs, study materials, or other essentials during your time at university. After you’ve enrolled, you’ll meet with a specialist advisor who will discuss the application process and the support available to you.
To be considered for this funding, you must:
- Be a UK (Home) student under the age of 25
- Be studying a full-time undergraduate course at Northumbria
- Provide a letter or evidence document—such as from your Social Worker—confirming your care leaver status.
- Meet the University’s definition of a care leaver
To find out more about the support available to Care Leavers and the University's definition of a Student Care Leaver please visit our dedicated web pages.
We understand that students who are estranged from their families may face additional financial pressures during their time at university. That’s why we offer tailored support to help you access the funding you’re entitled to.
Most undergraduate students under 25 are assessed for student finance based on their parents’ income. However, if you are irreconcilably estranged from your parents, you may be considered an independent student by Student Finance, which can significantly increase the level of financial support available to you.
To be assessed as estranged, you’ll need to provide evidence confirming the breakdown in your relationship with your parents. This can be verified by a professional such as a teacher, doctor, or social worker. We know this can be a sensitive and complex process, and our specialist advisors are here to offer personalised guidance to help you through it.
Once your estranged status is confirmed by Student Finance, you may also be eligible for additional financial support from the University. Through our dedicated fund, you could receive up to £2,000, paid in instalments across the academic year.
If you're unsure about the process or need support gathering the right evidence, our specialist advisors are here to help. You can find out more on our dedicated webpages for Estranged Students.
New pre-registration students in nursing, midwifery, and allied health professions in England can access financial support primarily through the Student Loans Company and the NHS Learning Support Fund (which includes the Training Grant, Parental Support, Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) and the Exceptional Support Fund (ESF)).
For more information, please refer to the 'Full-Time Undergraduate Students' section above and the links below:
Postgraduate study is a significant investment in your future, and understanding your funding options is key to planning ahead. While financial support at this level differs from undergraduate study, there are a range of options available depending on your course and personal circumstances.
Many master’s students apply for the Postgraduate Master’s Loan through Student Finance England, while doctoral students may be eligible for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan or receive funding through Research Councils. Some students are supported by employers, use personal savings, or combine part-time study with employment.
Additional funding may be available for students on specific programmes, such as:
- PGCE teacher training
- Social work (students who may also receive a Bursary)
- NHS pre-registration programmes such as nursing or physiotherapy, occupational therapy etc.
At Northumbria, specialist advisors are available to help you navigate your funding options, understand your tuition fees, and plan your finances ahead of starting your course. Tuition fees vary by programme, and your offer letter will confirm your fee and any scholarships or discounts you may receive.
If you live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you may be eligible for different postgraduate funding based on your region’s student finance system:
We understand the barriers students seeking asylum or with refugee backgrounds may face in accessing Higher Education. That’s why we offer a limited number of Sanctuary Scholarships to support eligible students who have applied to study at Northumbria University.
The Sanctuary Scholarship covers tuition fees and provides additional financial support to help with living costs, easing the pressures often associated with starting university in challenging personal circumstances.
To be considered, you must first apply for a course at Northumbria. Once you receive an offer, you’ll be eligible to apply for the scholarship and our specialist advisors are available to offer tailored guidance on financial, academic, wellbeing, and practical matters. Find our more about Sanctuary Scholarships, eligibility criteria and terms and conditions on our dedicated web pages.
We recognise that Social Work students often face unique financial challenges due to placements and additional course-related costs. A combination of government bursaries, student loans, and additional allowances may be available to support you throughout your studies.
- Undergraduate Social Work students may be eligible for a Social Work Bursary during their second and third years of study. These bursaries are limited in number and awarded by NHS Business Services Authority. You can also apply for the standard tuition fee and maintenance loans through Student Finance England.
- Part-time undergraduate students may also qualify for a proportion of the bursary, alongside part-time student finance, depending on course length and intensity. To get an idea of how much money you could get, use the Student Finance Calculator.
- Postgraduate Social Work students may be eligible for a dedicated bursary as well as additional allowances to support with accessibility requirements and childcare/dependants. These awards are separate from the Postgraduate Master’s Loan and are non-repayable.
We recognise that many students take on unpaid caring responsibilities alongside their studies, and we’re committed to supporting you—both personally and financially—throughout your university journey.
If you care for a friend or family member who cannot manage without your support due to illness, disability, mental health issues, or addiction, you may be eligible for additional financial support of up to £2,000 per academic year as a full-time undergraduate student.
To apply, you’ll need to provide evidence of your caring role—this could include a letter from a GP, social worker, or a professional carer support organisation. Our specialist advisors are here to guide you through this process and help you understand what documentation is required.
If eligible, your award will be paid in three instalments throughout the year, giving you financial breathing room to help balance your studies with your caring responsibilities.
Everyone’s situation is different, and you may not even realise you qualify as a carer. If you're unsure you can speak to one of our specialist advisors for personalised advice. Please visit out dedicated Student Carer web pages for further information.
Raising a family whilst studying at university can be financially demanding—but there is a range of support available to help you manage.
As a student parent, you may be classed as an independent student, meaning your Student Finance entitlement will be based on your own household income, not your parents’. You could be eligible for additional support, including:
- Parents’ Learning Allowance – a non-repayable grant to help with course-related costs
- Childcare Grant – helps cover registered childcare costs during your studies
- NHS Parental Support Grant – available to eligible students on specific health-related courses
- Special Support Element – a higher rate of maintenance loan for eligible lone parents or students with a student partner.
- Adult Dependants' Grant – a non-repayable grant to help with course-related costs
Financial support varies based on where you live and what you study and many of these schemes are only accessible if you also apply for a Student Loan from your regional Student finance provider:
- Student Finance England (SFE)
- Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
- Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI)
- Student Finance Wales (SFW)
In addition to statutory support, you may be eligible for university-funded assistance, including Success Funds and Northumbria Scholarships. Our specialist advisors can help you understand what’s available and guide you through the application process.
Childcare:
Choosing childcare and early education can be a big step for many families. As well as making sure that the type of childcare you choose is the one that best meets the needs of you and your child, you also need reassurance that your child will be safe, secure, well looked-after and happy. GOV.UK provides you with all the information you need including additional support such as help with childcare costs and free school meals.
Northumbria University also offers access to an on-campus Ofsted-registered nursery, catering for children from birth to 4 years. You can also apply for help with childcare costs directly through Student Finance.
Benefits and Tax Credits:
While most full-time students are not usually eligible for welfare benefits, there are important exceptions - especially if you're a parent.
You may be able to claim Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time and are responsible for a child, or if you’re a part-time student available for work. In assessing your entitlement, some parts of your student funding - such as the Special Support element of your loan - may be excluded from your income.
If you're considering a full-time Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), you can apply for student finance and receive the same package of loans and support as undergraduate students.
In addition, many PGCE students are eligible for a tax-free training bursary, with amounts depending on your chosen subject and undergraduate degree classification. These bursaries can provide valuable extra support while you train to teach.
Our specialist advisors can also help you explore your funding options and understand what financial support you could receive.
For further information and support, please visit:
- gov.uk - teacher training funding
- Department for Education - funding and support (including training bursaries)
Our specialist teams are here to support you every step of the way.
- Prospective students can submit a question via our enquiry form
- Current students can log an enquiry via Ask4Help Online on the Student Portal
