Search by course type

If you know which type or level of course you want to do, check the relevant section below to see which funding schemes might be available to you. Each funding scheme has a link for more information, usually to our partner Directgov’s pages.

All types of course

These funding sources can be used for many different types and levels of course.

• Professional and Career Development Loan – a repayable bank loan you can use to fund learning that enhances your job skills or career prospects
• Getting training at work - employer funding if you’re in a job 
• Educational Grants Advisory Service - info on educational charities and trusts – 

Further education

• Free courses – you might not have to pay fees if you’re a young person, if you’re studying for your first qualifications, or if you’re on benefits
• Childcare – find out if you qualify for help towards childcare costs
• Discretionary Support Fund – these funds are aimed at those most in need and can help you to meet course-related costs like accommodation, travel, childcare, equipment or extra support if you have disabilities
• Adult Learning Grant – a weekly allowance to help with course costs if you’re 19 or over and studying full-time for your first college-level qualification
• Education Maintenance Allowance – a weekly allowance if you’re aged 16 – 18, plan to study full-time and have a household income below a certain level
• Adult Entitlement to Learning – you can get your fees paid if you’re aged 19 or over and want to study a reading or numbers course, or a level 2 work-related course. If you’re aged between 19 and 25 you can study a level 3 work-related course or a course to get into university

 Higher education – first degree

You can read detailed info on what you might be entitled to on Directgov’s pages on Student Finance. However, if you’re looking for info on something in particular, these are the links to the main pages.

• Eligibility rules – whether you qualify for finance depends on factors such as where you live, your age, whether you’ve done a university course before, and which course you’re studying
• Tuition fees and other expenses – find out how much your tuition fees will be and get advice on budgeting for other costs like accommodation, food and bills
• Maintenance Grant and Special Support Grant – depending on your household income, you might qualify for these non-repayable funds
• Student loans – if you’re eligible, you can apply for two loans to cover your tuition fees and living costs
• Bursaries, scholarships and other awards – find out if you qualify for these non-repayable funds
• Finance for part-time students – find out if you might qualify for the Fee Grant and Course Grant
• Access to Learning Funds – you can apply for this if you’re studying for a degree and get into financial difficulties
• Help for students with children – read more about schemes like the Childcare Grant, Parents’ Learning Allowance and Child Tax Credit
• Adult Dependants' Grant – you might qualify for this if there’s an adult that depends on you financially
• Initial Teacher Training: Student Loans, grants and bursaries – if you train full-time you can apply for the usual financial support for higher education, but there’s also help if you study part-time
• NHS and social work students – extra or different financial help if you train to work in social work, medicine or certain areas of healthcare
• Disabled Students' Allowances – extra non-repayable financial help if you have an impairment, health condition or a specific learning disability

Postgraduate courses

• Financing your postgraduate course - an overview – read more about funding from research councils and employers, applying for postgraduate funding, and financing yourself
• Funding for postgraduate teacher training – find out if you might qualify for a training bursary, and a ‘golden hello’ payment after completing your first year of teaching
• Professional and Career Development Loan – a repayable bank loan you can use to fund learning that enhances your job skills or career prospects
• Social work and healthcare funding – non-repayable bursaries are available for postgraduate diplomas in social work and certain courses in health care
• Educational Grants Advisory Service - find out about educational charities and trusts
• Disabled Students' Allowances – extra non-repayable financial help if you have an impairment, health condition or a specific learning disability
• Access to Learning Funds – if you’re studying for a postgraduate course and get into financial difficulties

You can read more about financing your postgraduate course on the Prospects website including info on: scholarships, graduate teaching, research assistantships, special arrangements for students in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and funding from public bodies such as Local Education Authorities and the European Social Fund.

Government-funded training and studying on benefits

• Learning for free – if you’re on income-related benefits, find out if you can get your tuition fees paid
• New Deal and other programmes – read about the different New Deal training schemes and other programmes such as Work Trials

Specialist awards

• Help if you're studying away from home – you might get financial help from a Specialist Residential Centre or from the Residential Support Scheme
• Dance and Drama Awards – find out if you qualify for an award, how much you’ll get and which schools and courses are eligible