Undergraduate students in a lecture, Keighton Auditorium

Nottingham Potential Bursary

For UK students with personal circumstances or backgrounds that may have impacted academic potential

Applications for 2025/26 open on Monday, 22 September 2025.

The Nottingham Potential Bursary provides a £1,000 award per academic year to support students from lower income backgrounds whose personal circumstances may have impacted access to higher education.

This bursary requires an application once you start university to assess your eligibility. However, there are an unlimited number of places, meaning all applicants that meet eligibility criteria will receive the funding.

The deadline for applications is at the end of the academic year in June. Applications must be submitted within the academic year.

If you receive the bursary, you do not have to pay it back after you graduate and you can spend the money in any way you like to support your studies. Payments are made directly to the student's bank account, typically in three installments over the academic year.

Bursary criteria and amounts are reviewed each year, so the amount you receive and the eligibility criteria for the bursary can differ based on your start date. If you are applying to join us in September 2026, please scroll down to ‘Bursary information by academic year’ to check the amount and eligibility criteria for your year of entry.

If you have any questions about this bursary or your eligibility, please contact us.

 

Application form (opens 22 September)

Eligibility criteria explained

To receive the Nottingham Potential Bursary as a student starting in September 2025, you must:

  • Be joining the university for the first time in September 2025
  • Be registered on a full-time undergraduate degree course at Nottingham which you commenced in 2025/26
  • Not have studied for an undergraduate degree before starting your current course
  • PGCE/Graduate Entry Nursing/Graduate Entry Medicine students are only eligible for the Nottingham Potential Bursary on the grounds of having dependants
  • Have UK 'Home' status for funding purposes
  • Be liable for the tuition fee set in 2025/26
  • Have had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance
  • Not be in receipt of a Maycock-Whileman Scholarship or an Alumni Scholarship award

PLUS one or more of the following:

  • Entering via an Access route or with vocational qualifications (at further education level) and with a household income between £0-£35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) - we will require a copy of your certificate or transcript
  • Students with a household income between £0-£35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) with financially dependent children or adults - we will require a copy of your 2025/26 Student Finance letter showing you to be in receipt of either Childcare Grant, Parents Learning allowance or Adult Dependants Grant
  • Students who have fulfilled specified conditions through participation in one of the programmes below: 
    • Completion of a University of Nottingham Sutton Trust Summer School
    • Attendance at a minimum of eight Ambition Nottingham: 16-18 sessions (Tier 1 students only)
    • Attendance at a minimum of eight Nottingham Pathways to Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science/Medicine/Law (online) sessions
    • Successful completion of Realising Opportunities
    • Attendance at 16 hours of IntoUniversity sessions (outside of in-school sessions in year 12 or 13. At least four of the contact hours need to be in year 13.)

Students that successfully complete one of these programmes will automatically be eligible and do not need to apply for the award.

If you joined the university prior to September 2025, please scroll down to ‘Bursary information by academic year’ to check the amount and eligibility criteria for your year of entry.

Part-time students - The Nottingham Potential Bursary provides additional support on a pro-rata basis for new part-time undergraduate students. You will need to have a means-tested assessment carried out by Student Finance (SF) as well as meeting one of the criteria above in order for us to assess your eligibility for this bursary. Your award amount will depend on the number of credits you're taking. You can find out more about funding for part-time undergraduate students on our website. 

How to claim your bursary

Applications for 2025/26 open on 22 September 2025.

You cannot apply for the bursary until you are registered as a student at the University of Nottingham.

You only need to apply for the Nottingham Potential Bursary once. If you are a continuing student that has already received the bursary, you will be automatically reassessed each academic year.

Once you have been accepted to receive the bursary, most students will be automatically paid in three termly instalments across the academic year. However, if you are awarded based on completing one of the outreach programmes listed above, you will be paid in one lump sum at the start of the academic year.

Assessments will close for the 2025/26 academic year on Friday 19 June 2026. You must have applied for your means tested assessment with Student Finance by 4 May 2026 in order to ensure that Student Finance can complete your assessment by the 19 June 2026 deadline. We are unable to accept late assessments.

What happens if my eligibility changes?

If your household income decreases during your time at university and this is reflected in your student finance assessment, you can apply for the Nottingham Potential Bursary at any time before the application deadline in June.

If you don't apply for the bursary in your first year, or miss the deadline for that academic year, bursary payments will not be backdated, however, you will receive payments for the following academic year, if you are assessed as eligible. 

If your household income increases during your studies, you will stop receiving the bursary after the reassessment period at the start of each academic year. You will not have to pay back any bursary payments you've received until this point unless you were assessed incorrectly.

Bursary information by academic year

Bursary value: £1000 per academic year

Eligibility criteria:

  • Be joining the university for the first time in September 2026
  • Be registered on a full-time undergraduate degree course at Nottingham which you commenced in 2026/27
  • Not have studied for an undergraduate degree before starting your current course
  • PGCE/Graduate Entry Nursing/Graduate Entry Medicine students are only eligible for the Nottingham Potential Bursary on the grounds of having dependants
  • Have UK 'Home' status for funding purposes
  • Be liable for the tuition fee set in 2026/27
  • Have had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance
  • Not be in receipt of a Maycock-Whileman Scholarship or an Alumni Scholarship award

PLUS one or more of the following:

  • Entering via an Access route or with vocational qualifications (at further education level) and with a household income between £0-£35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) - we will require a copy of your certificate or transcript
  • Students with a household income between £0-£35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) with financially dependent children or adults - we will require a copy of your 2026/27 Student Finance letter showing you to be in receipt of either Childcare Grant, Parents Learning allowance or Adult Dependants Grant
  • Students who have fulfilled specified conditions through participation in one of the programmes below: 
    •  Completion of a University of Nottingham Sutton Trust Summer School
    • Attendance at a minimum of eight Ambition Nottingham: 16-18 sessions (Tier 1 students only)
    • Attendance at a minimum of eight Nottingham Pathways to Veterinary Medicine or Nottingham Pathways to Medicine sessions
    • Successful completion of Realising Opportunities (completed programme in 2026 or earlier)
    • Students who attended 16 hours of IntoUniversity sessions / activity (not including in-school IU sessions/activity) throughout Year 12 and 13, of which at least 4 hours need to be in Year 13. IntoUniversity will provide confirmation of this directly to the University of Nottingham.

Students that successfully complete one of these programmes will automatically be eligible and do not need to apply for the award.

Part-time students - The Nottingham Potential Bursary provides additional support on a pro-rata basis for new part-time undergraduate students. You will need to have a means-tested assessment carried out by Student Finance (SF) as well as meeting one of the criteria above in order for us to assess your eligibility for this bursary. Your award amount will depend on the number of credits you're taking. You can find out more about funding for part-time undergraduate students on our website. 

Bursary value: £1000 per academic year

Eligibility criteria:

  • Be joining the university for the first time in September 2025
  • Be registered on a full-time undergraduate degree course at Nottingham which you commenced in 2025/26
  • Not have studied for an undergraduate degree before starting your current course
  • PGCE/Graduate Entry Nursing/Graduate Entry Medicine students are only eligible for the Nottingham Potential Bursary on the grounds of having dependants
  • Have UK 'Home' status for funding purposes
  • Be liable for the tuition fee set in 2025/26
  • Have had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance
  • Not be in receipt of a Maycock-Whileman Scholarship or an Alumni Scholarship award

PLUS one or more of the following:

  • Entering via an Access route or with vocational qualifications (at further education level) and with a household income between £0-£35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) - we will require a copy of your certificate or transcript
  • Students with a household income between £0-£35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) with financially dependent children or adults - we will require a copy of your 2025/26 Student Finance letter showing you to be in receipt of either Childcare Grant, Parents Learning allowance or Adult Dependants Grant
  • Students who have fulfilled specified conditions through participation in one of the programmes below: 
    • Completion of a University of Nottingham Sutton Trust Summer School
    • Attendance at a minimum of eight Ambition Nottingham: 16-18 sessions (Tier 1 students only)
    • Attendance at a minimum of eight Nottingham Pathways to Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science/Medicine/Law (online) sessions
    • Successful completion of Realising Opportunities
    • Attendance at 16 hours of IntoUniversity sessions (outside of in-school sessions in year 12 or 13. At least four of the contact hours need to be in year 13.)

Students that successfully complete one of these programmes will automatically be eligible and do not need to apply for the award.

Part-time students - The Nottingham Potential Bursary provides additional support on a pro-rata basis for new part-time undergraduate students. You will need to have a means-tested assessment carried out by Student Finance (SF) as well as meeting one of the criteria above in order for us to assess your eligibility for this bursary. Your award amount will depend on the number of credits you're taking. You can find out more about funding for part-time undergraduate students on our website. 

Bursary value: £1000 per academic year

Eligibility criteria:

  • Have first joined the university in September 2024
  • Be registered on a full-time undergraduate degree course (or PGCE/Graduate Entry Nursing/Graduate Entry Medicine) at Nottingham which you commenced in 2024/25
  • Have UK 'Home' status for funding purposes
  • Be liable for the tuition fee set in 2025/26
  • Have had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance
  • Not have studied for an undergraduate degree before starting your current course
  • Not be in receipt of a Maycock-Whileman Scholarship or an Alumni Scholarship
  • PGCE/Graduate Entry Nursing/Graduate Entry Medicine students are only eligible for the Nottingham Potential Bursary on the grounds of having dependants.

Plus one or more of the following:

  • Entering via an Access route or with vocational qualifications (at further education level) and with a household income between £0-£35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) - we will require a copy of your certificate or transcript. Students on the PGCE, GEN or GEM courses would not be eligible for the bursary on this element of the criteria.
  • Students with a household income between £0-£35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) with financially dependent children or adults - we will require a copy of your 2024/5 Student Finance letter showing you to be in receipt of either Childcare Grant, Parents Learning allowance or Adult Dependants Grant
  • Students who have fulfilled specified conditions through participation in the University's Nottingham Potential or Sutton Trust Summer Schools hosted by the university or other eligible activities (including attendance on a minimum of eight Ambition Nottingham: 16-18 sessions (Tier 1 students only) or eight Nottingham Pathways to Law or Medicine sessions).
  • Students who attended 16 hours of IntoUniversity sessions (outside of in-school sessions in year 12 or 13. At least four of the contact hours need to be in year 13. There is no need to apply for the award if eligible on this basis. NHS-funded students are eligible to receive the Nottingham Potential Bursary for summer school attendees. Students on the PGCE, GEN or GEM courses would not be eligible for the bursary on this element of the criteria.

Part-time students - The Nottingham Potential Bursary provides additional support on a pro-rata basis for new part-time undergraduate students. You will need to have a means-tested assessment carried out by Student Finance (SF) as well as meeting one of the criteria above in order for us to assess your eligibility for this bursary. Your award amount will depend on the number of credits you're taking. You can find out more about funding for part-time undergraduate students on our website. 

Bursary value: £1000 per academic year

Eligibility criteria:

  • First joined the University of Nottingham between September 2020 and September 2023
  • Be registered on a full-time undergraduate degree course (or PGCE/GEN/ 1st year GEM) at Nottingham which you started in 2020/21 onwards
  • Have UK 'Home' status for funding purposes
  • Be liable for the tuition fee set in 2025/26
  • Have had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance
  • Not have studied for an undergraduate degree before starting your current course
  • Not be in receipt of a Maycock-Whileman Scholarship PGCE/Graduate Entry Nursing/1st year Graduate Entry Medicine students are only eligible for the Nottingham Potential Bursary on the grounds of being a Care leaver or having dependants.

PLUS one or more of the following:

  • Entering via an Access route or with vocational qualifications (at further education level) and with a household income between £0-£35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) - we will require a copy of your certificate or transcript
  • Students with a household income between £0-£35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) with financially dependent children or adults - we will require a copy of your 2025/26 Student Finance letter showing you to be in receipt of either Childcare Grant, Parents Learning allowance or Adult Dependants Grant
  • Students who are currently or have been in public care for a minimum time period of three months and are under the age of 25 years at the start of their course (please note that you can still apply for the Nottingham Potential Bursary for Care Leavers even if in receipt of NHS funding) - we will require a copy of an official letter from your local authority confirming your care arrangements
  • Students who have fulfilled specified conditions through participation in the University's Nottingham Potential or Sutton Trust Summer Schools hosted by the University or other eligible activities (including attendance on a minimum of six Ambition Nottingham: 16-18 sessions (Tier 1 students only) or eight Pathways to Law/Medicine sessions). There is no need to apply for the award if eligible on this basis. NHS-funded students are eligible to receive the Nottingham Potential Bursary for summer school attendees.

Part-time students - The Nottingham Potential Bursary provides additional support on a pro-rata basis for new part-time undergraduate students. You will need to have a means-tested assessment carried out by Student Finance (SF) as well as meeting one of the criteria above in order for us to assess your eligibility for this bursary. Your award amount will depend on the number of credits you're taking. You can find out more about funding for part-time undergraduate students on our website. 

Bursary value: £1000 per academic year

Eligibility criteria:

  • First joined the University of Nottingham between September 2018 and September 2019
  • Be registered on a full-time undergraduate degree course (or PGCE/GEM) at Nottingham which you commenced in the 2018/19 or 19/20 academic year
  • Have UK 'Home' status for funding purposes
  • Be liable in 2025/26 for the tuition fee relevant to your year of entry
  • Have had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance
  • PGCE/1st-year Graduate Entry Medicine students are only eligible for the Nottingham Potential Bursary on the grounds of being a Care leaver or having dependants.

PLUS one or more of the following:

  • Entering via an Access route or with vocational qualifications (at further education level) and with a household income up to £35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) - we will require a copy of your certificate or transcript
  • Students with a household income up to £35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) with financially dependent children or adults - we will require a copy of your 205/26 Student Finance letter showing you to be in receipt of either Childcare Grant, Parents Learning allowance or Adult Dependants Grant. NHS-funded students are eligible to receive the Nottingham Potential Bursary for Dependents
  • Students who are currently or have been in public care for a minimum time period of three months and are under the age of 25 years at the start of their course (please note that you can still apply for the Nottingham Potential Bursary for Care Leavers even if in receipt of NHS funding) - we will require a copy of an official letter from your local authority confirming your care arrangements
  • Students who have fulfilled specified conditions through participation in the University's Nottingham Potential or Sutton Trust Summer Schools hosted by the University or other eligible activities (including attendance on a minimum of six Post-16 Ambition Nottingham sessions or eight Pathways to Law/STEM sessions). There is no need to apply for the award if eligible on this basis. NHS-funded students are eligible to receive the Nottingham Potential Bursary for summer school attendees.

Bursary value: £1000 per academic year

Eligibility criteria:

  • First joined the University of Nottingham between September 2016 and September 2017
  • Be registered on a full-time undergraduate degree course (or PGCE/ 1st year GEM) at Nottingham which you commenced in the 2016/17 or 2017/18 academic year
  • Have UK 'Home' status for funding purposes
  • Be liable in 2025/26 for the tuition fee relevant to your year of entry
  • Have had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance
  • PGCE/1st-year Graduate Entry Medicine students are only eligible for the Nottingham Potential Bursary on the grounds of being a Care leaver or having dependants.

PLUS one or more of the following

  • Entering via an Access route or with vocational qualifications (at further education level) and with a household income up to £35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) - we will require a copy of your certificate or transcript
  • Students with a household income up to £35,000 (as assessed by Student Finance) with financially dependent children or adults - we will require a copy of your 2025/26 Student Finance letter showing you to be in receipt of either Childcare Grant, Parents Learning allowance or Adult Dependants Grant
  • Students who are currently or have been in public care for a minimum time period of three months and are under the age of 25 years at the start of their course (please note that you can still apply for the Nottingham Potential Bursary for Care Leavers even if in receipt of NHS funding) - we will require a copy of an official letter from your local authority confirming your care arrangements
  • Students who have fulfilled specified conditions through participation in the University's Nottingham Potential or Sutton Trust Summer Schools hosted by the University or other eligible activities (including attendance on a minimum of six Post-16 Ambition Nottingham sessions or eight Pathways to Law/STEM sessions). There is no need to apply for the award if eligible on this basis. NHS-funded students are eligible to receive the Nottingham Potential Bursary for summer school attendees

More funding options

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For UK students who have been in care or are estranged from their family

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The Stoneygate Award

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The Halford Scholarship Programme

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Local Scholarships

For students who live and/or attended school in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire or the wider East Midlands area

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