Sussex Bursary

Sussex Bursary (2026)

What you get

£1,000 in your first year of study (either Year 1 or Foundation Year).

£500 in your subsequent years of study.

Type of award

Undergraduate and Foundation Year

Funding type

Sussex funded

Eligibility

The bursary will be paid automatically to you via Student Finance if you meet all the following criteria:

• New starter or returning to your undergraduate course on or after September 2026
• Funded as a Home student in 2026/27
• Have an assessed family household income of less than £35,000 
• Not in receipt of a non-means-tested grant element to your funding (such as Welsh-funded students or Year 2 / 3 Social Worker students)
• Registered as a full-time student in 2026/27
• Studying at Sussex (i.e. not on a placement year or Year Abroad).
• The Sussex Bursary replaced the First-Generation Scholar’s scheme bursary. Students who started at Sussex in September 2020 will continue to receive the First-Generation bursary if they qualify. If you have any queries, don't hesitate to get in touch with studentfunding@sussex.ac.uk.
  

This bursary award is non-repayable and has been awarded to help with your living costs whilst you study.

To receive the bursary, your household income must be validated by:

• Student Finance England - or
• Students Awards Agency for Scotland - or
• Student Finance ni.
• Find out more about your household income and Student Finance England's validation process.

• If you are ineligible to receive the Sussex Bursary because the household income exceeds £35,000 and you are facing financial difficulties, you may be eligible to apply for our hardship fund. For more information, please visit our website at Financial support : University of Sussex or email the  Funding for further support studentfunding@sussex.ac.uk
• If you are on a Year Abroad or Placement Year, you will not be eligible for the award in that year, as you pay a reduced tuition fee to the University.
• If you meet the other eligibility criteria and are repeating a year on health or personal grounds, you may be eligible for the £500 award. Please get in touch with the Funding Team for more details.

Please note: If your household income is reassessed to be above the £35,000 threshold before the award is paid, the bursary award will be withdrawn. The previous entitlement letter will no longer apply.

Number of scholarships available

Unlimited

Deadline

How to apply

The Sussex Bursary application is automatic as the University receives the information directly from Student Finance.

Contact us

Please contact the Funding Team (studentfunding@sussex.ac.uk) if you have any questions.

Timetable

Bursary notification letters will be sent directly to you from Student Finance in late June 2026. Please check your personal email and also your online Student Finance portal for receipt of the bursary notification letter.

The bursary will be paid in one instalment on or around the 13^th of November.