What’s new for Undergraduate Scholarships & Bursaries 2026?
Universities and organisations continue to expand financial support to help students with the rising cost of living. This includes bursaries, scholarships, hardship funds and postgraduate loans, all designed to make higher education more accessible.
National Scholarships Week (20–26 April 2026) is the UK’s largest celebration of opportunity, bringing together universities, employers and students to raise awareness of available funding and encourage applications.
Explore funding opportunities
- Search for scholarships, bursaries and grants using platforms such as:
Blackbullion Funding Hub and financial tools - Always check individual university websites for the most up-to-date opportunities, as many awards are only advertised directly by providers.
Updated financial support
- Government student finance (tuition fee loans and maintenance loans) remains the main source of funding:
- Postgraduate loans and Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) are updated each year—check the latest guidance before applying.
Additional support available
- Many universities are continuing to expand:
- Cost-of-living and hardship funds
- Income-based bursaries
- Targeted scholarships (e.g. for care-experienced students or specific subjects)
Scholarships aren’t just for top grades—there is funding available to support a wide range of students with tuition costs, living expenses and career opportunities.
Cornwall
- Cornwall College Group
- HE Cash / Accommodation / Hardship Bursary — for full‑time HE students; includes cash bursary (£800), accommodation support (£1,000 for first‑years), and hardship fund (up to £600). Cornwall College
- See details on their “University Financial Support / HE bursaries” page. Cornwall College
Devon
- University of Exeter
- Access to Exeter Bursary (ATE) — means-tested financial support for UK “home” undergraduates, with awards depending on household income. University of Exeter
- Care‑Leaver & Estranged Students Bursary — support for eligible undergraduates who are care‑experienced or estranged. University of Exeter
- Student Carer / Hardship support — additional help for students with caring responsibilities or experiencing unexpected financial difficulties. University of Exeter
- More info on Exeter’s “Undergraduate funding / bursaries & financial support” site. University of Exeter
- Petroc College (North Devon)
- HE bursaries / hardship support — students may access bursaries, hardship funds and wider support packages (on top of national Student Finance support). Petroc College
- See Petroc’s “HE Financial Support” page for details. Petroc College
- University of Plymouth – The Business of Success Scholarship (BOSS) – for 50 ambitious students starting at Plymouth Business School in September 2026. Each scholar gets £2,000 in their first year (£1,000 per semester). Selection is based on your drive and potential, not grades!
How to become a BOSS Scholar:- Apply for your chosen Plymouth Business School course.
- If you get an offer, attend the Offer Holder Day.
- Chat with a lecturer about why you chose your course.
Somerset
- Somerset Community Foundation (University Bursary scheme) — grants of £900–£4,500 for 18–24‑year-olds starting their first undergraduate year at a UK university, to help with costs such as accommodation, books, equipment or travel. Somerset Community Foundation
For more information about national Bursaries and Scholarships visit the sites below:
- The Scholarship Hub: A one-stop place to browse UK scholarships — from academic awards to subject-specific and personal-circumstance funding.
- UCAS Scholarships Tool: Easily search and find funding for tuition and living costs through UCAS.
- Defence Stem Undergraduate Scheme: Offered by the Royal Navy provides funding for students to study an approved STEM degree—covering tuition fees and offering an annual bursary.
- Blackbullion Funding Hub: Find and apply for scholarships, grants, and bursaries.
The information on this page was last updated in March 2026.