Explore the available financial support to ensure you’re ready for the next step in your education.
When you apply to universities, your fee status will be categorised as either Home or International. To be considered a Home student (UK), you usually need to meet all of the following requirements on the first day of your course:
Fees for Home students can differ depending on whether you’re studying in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, so always check the specific university’s website for up-to-date fees.
If you don’t meet the Home student criteria, you’ll be considered an International student, and you’ll pay higher international fees. These fees can vary by university and are listed on each university’s website. Make sure you’re financially prepared for tuition fees before committing to a course.
UK students can apply for tuition fee loans and maintenance loans through Student Finance. Some students might also be eligible for extra support like grants or NHS bursaries.
It’s best to apply for student finance as soon as you’ve submitted your UCAS application. However, if you’ve already had student finance for a different degree, you might not be eligible for more loans (with some exceptions for graduate entry courses).
Check with the relevant student finance authority depending on where you live:
If you’re from the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or other UK Islands, different rules may apply. Be sure to contact your island’s education office for specific details.
Please note: International students are not eligible for UK government financial support.
If you’re an English student applying for a 4-year graduate entry medicine course, you can apply for partial tuition fee loans, maintenance loans, and NHS bursaries. You’ll need to cover the remaining fees yourself.
If you’re studying a standard undergraduate medicine programme as a second degree, you won’t be eligible for tuition fee loans, but you can still apply for maintenance support. In your final year, NHS bursaries may be available to help with tuition costs.
For more detailed funding information, visit the Royal Benevolent Fund website.
Many universities offer their own scholarships and bursaries, so it’s a good idea to research what’s available on the university websites.
Other government grants available for UK students include:
International students might find it harder to access financial support, but check with your university to see if you’re eligible for any bursaries. You can also find potential funding through the British Council or the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). Commonwealth citizens might be able to apply for grants from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.