Postgraduate bursaries are designed to provide support to UK students in financial need, who have a parent or spouse, or are employed themselves, as a commercial traveller, pharmacist or grocer, and who are registered on a full-time postgraduate degree course at a recognised UK university. The information in this section explains more about eligibility, and the terms we use.
Eligible students
Applicants should be resident in the United Kingdom and be the son or daughter, spouse, widow or widower, or be employed themselves as a commercial traveller, pharmacist, or grocer – who has worked in this capacity for at least 5 years, within the last 10 years (from time of applying).
Eligible courses
Any full-time degree course at a higher or further education institution in the UK is eligible. By ‘higher or further education institution’, we mean either a body recognised by the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for the award of a degree, or a body providing courses in preparation for a degree to be granted by a recognised body. We do not fund distance learning courses.
Eligible costs
You can apply for assistance with any reasonable costs associated with study, including: tuition and examination fees, travel costs, study materials and accommodation.
Financial need
We want our postgraduate bursaries to make a difference – so we ask applicants to give some information about their financial situation, and how a bursary would assist them at university. For example, by making it possible to live away from home, to better equip them for study, or by giving them the chance to pursue activities that would otherwise be too expensive. If you are receiving a stipend you are not eligible to apply.
Eligible occupations
To be eligible to apply for a postgraduate bursary, applicants must have a parent or spouse or be employed themselves as:
- a commercial traveller, pharmacist or grocer, who has worked in the UK as for at least five years; and
- is currently working in one of these occupations, or has retired within the last ten years (from time of applying).
What we mean by ‘commercial traveller’
A commercial traveller is the representative, agent or principal of any manufacturer, industrial or commercial firm or company, or wholesale dealers selling to industry or commerce, but not direct to the public; who works in the UK and has travelled for five consecutive years and for a total of at least six months in each of those years, for the purposes of securing orders and/or promoting business.
What we mean by ‘pharmacist’
A pharmacist is someone who is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, who sells or dispenses medicines directly to the public. We also accept pharmacy technicians who prepare and dispense prescriptions under the supervision of a pharmacist and are also registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
What we mean by ‘grocer’
A grocer is someone who owns or works in a small independent retail store that sells a wide range of both food supplies and non-edible articles for household use. Typically known as a corner shop or convenience store. Greengrocers and those who own or work for the major retailers (including the main supermarket chains) are not covered by this definition, and are not eligible to apply.
Unfortunately, we are not able to fund students at the following universities:
- BPP University – unless it is for tuition fees that will go straight to the university
- University of Law
- Middlesex University
- Open University