Sources of funding - Departmental bursaries
Funding via Departmental bursaries for UK-based students on award-bearing courses
If you are on a low income or in receipt of certain benefits, whether or not you have an undergraduate degree, you may apply for a bursary towards the cost of your course. You must be 'ordinarily resident'* and 'settled'** in the UK and enrolled on an Undergraduate or Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Advanced Diploma to be eligible to apply for a Departmental Bursary. Students enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education should look at the section below which is specific to that course.
NB You must submit your application before the beginning of your course. We will not normally consider your application after you have started your course and certainly not if you have not kept up with your instalments.
If you or your partner are in receipt of any of the following benefits you will be considered for a bursary of up to 60% of fees, capped at £2000:
- Income support
- Job seekers' allowance
- Income related employment and support allowance (ESA)
If you or your partner are employed, or self-employed, you may apply for a bursary based on the income thresholds set out in the table below:
| Gross Household Income | Bursary Award |
| Less than £16,000, or on any of the above benefits | Up to 60% of course fees |
| £16,000 - £20,000 | Up to 40% of course fees |
| £20,000 - £25,000 | Up to 25% of course fees |
These percentages are subject to a cap of £2000.
If you live with a partner and/or have dependent children, the following deductions from your gross income apply:
| Partner | £2,000 |
| Only or eldest dependent child | £2,000 |
| Subsequent dependent children | £1,000 each |
Undergraduate Certificate in Higher Education
Students on this course may apply for a bursary towards the annual registration fee for the programme as follows:
| Gross Household Income | Bursary Award |
| Less than £16,000 or on any of the above benefits | Full waiver of registration fee |
| £16,000 - £20,000 | Up to £500 |
| £20,000 - £25,000 | Up to £250 |
If you live with a partner and/or have dependents, the above deductions from your gross income apply.
Students on the Certificate of Higher Education on low incomes or income-related benefits may also apply for additional concessions on their individual courses via the Weekly Classes Office email: ppweekly@conted.ox.ac.uk.
Those on low incomes or income-related benefits may also apply for additional concessions on their individual courses.
Application form and guidance notes
All bursary awards are dependent on funds being available, so it is advisable to apply as soon as you have been accepted on a course.
Bursaries are awarded for one year at a time. If you are enrolled on a two year course we will contact you before the end of your first year and ask you to complete a re-assessment form to determine the level of assistance for your second year.
* You are 'ordinarily resident' in the UK if you have habitually, normally and lawfully resided there from choice for at least the last three years. Temporary absences from the UK (e.g. for work) should be ignored.
**'Settled' means being both ordinarily resident in the UK and without any immigration restriction on the length of your stay in the UK. For more detailed information, please email registry@conted.ox.ac.uk.