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Funding information for students ordinarily resident in England.
There are two main sources of funding available for the MA Social Work course. Most students will be eligible for one or the other, but you cannot receive both at the same time.
Eligible students can apply for a non-means tested Postgraduate Master’s Loan of £13,206 through Student Finance England.
This loan is per course (not per year). The loan is paid directly to you in three equal instalments in each academic year – one instalment per term.
You can use this funding to pay tuition fees to the University and for living costs. View more information on the Postgraduate Loan.
A limited number of Social Work Bursaries may* be available each year. Students are nominated by the University and there is no guarantee of receiving an award.
The University will submit a shortlist of students to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), who will then assess eligibility. This bursary does not have to be repaid.
*Please note that this bursary scheme is currently under review
To be eligible, you must:
If you are awarded the bursary, you may receive the following support:
A contribution of up to £4,052* per academic year towards your tuition fees in each year. This is paid directly to the University.
As tuition fees for the MA Social Work course are more than the contribution, you will need to self-fund the difference.
£862.50* per academic year to help towards placement travel costs.
This is included within the non-income assessed bursary and paid in three instalments per academic year – one instalment per term.
£3,362.50* per academic year
Up to £2,721* per academic year
The income considered for the means-test includes your own taxable unearned income and your partner’s taxable income if applicable.
Please note that as the duration of the course is 20 months rather than 24, the bursary amounts in the second year will be reduced accordingly.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for:
Up to £3,545 if you have an adult who is financially dependent on you.
Up to £1,573 if you have a dependent child under the age of 19.
A means-tested grant covering up to 85% of registered childcare costs.
Maximum weekly amounts are:
You will not be eligible if you receive:
Your childcare provider must also be registered.
Support is available for students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions, or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
Support is based on recommendations made within a Needs Assessment.
Please note that if you are not awarded the Social Work Bursary, you may still be able to:
Applications are made through the NHSBSA
You can only apply once you have started your course.
Please note: Student Finance England may ask for confirmation that you are not receiving the Social Work Bursary before they can fully process your Postgraduate Loan application.
If you need to contact NHSBSA directly, their helpline number is 0300 330 1342.
DSA is not means tested and does not need to be repaid.
Support is tailored to individual needs and may include specialist equipment, software, mentoring, or study support.
If you would like further advice and DSA, please email the University’s Disability Team: [email protected]
If you would like more information about funding, please contact the Money Advice Team. Email: [email protected] Phone: 01242 714535 and 07423 795248
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