Bursary Calculator
Estimate your university bursary in seconds. Enter your household income to see your likely bursary band and estimated annual award, based on typical UK university bursary structures.
Estimate Your Bursary
Enter your gross annual household income below. This calculator applies typical UK university bursary income bands to estimate your likely award. Actual bursaries vary by institution, so always confirm with your chosen university.
Your Household Details
Used to estimate your bursary eligibility band
Your Bursary Estimate
Estimated band and annual award
How Bursaries Are Typically Calculated
Most UK universities use household income bands, similar to Student Finance means-testing, to decide who qualifies for support and how much they receive.
Assess Household Income
Universities typically use the same gross household income figure assessed by Student Finance England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
Match to an Income Band
Your income is compared against published bands. Lower-income households generally sit in the highest-award bands.
Apply Any Top-Ups
Additional circumstances, such as being a care leaver or having a sibling also studying, can increase the base award at many institutions.
Typical Bursary Income Bands
Illustrative bursary bands modelled on common UK university structures. Individual universities set their own thresholds and amounts, so check your institution’s published bursary policy for exact figures.
| Band | Household Income | Typical Annual Award |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1 (Highest) | Up to £16,000 | £1,500 – £2,000 |
| Band 2 | £16,001 – £25,000 | £1,000 – £1,500 |
| Band 3 | £25,001 – £35,000 | £500 – £1,000 |
| Band 4 | £35,001 – £42,875 | £250 – £500 |
| Not Eligible | Above £42,875 | £0 |
Bursary Calculator FAQ
Everything you need to know about university bursaries and how they’re calculated.
A bursary is non-repayable financial support that universities offer to students, usually based on household income or other eligibility criteria such as care-leaver status. Unlike a loan, a bursary never needs to be paid back.
Most universities calculate bursary amounts using household income bands. Students from lower-income households typically receive the highest awards, with the amount tapering down or stopping altogether above a set income threshold.
No. A bursary is typically awarded based on financial need, most often household income, while a scholarship is usually awarded for academic, sporting, or other merit-based achievement, regardless of financial circumstances.
Generally no. A bursary is separate from your student loan and does not need to be repaid, though some universities may ask about other funding you receive as part of their assessment process.