Financial support
Financial support is available to BSMS students from both the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton.
For funding from both universities, BSMS students should contact the University of Brighton Student Advice Service:
Email: studentadvice@brighton.ac.uk
Telephone: 01273 642888
Drop-in times are available at brighton.ac.uk/current-students/contacts
They will explain which funds you might be eligible for, and how to access them. Their experienced staff can also advise on statutory funding, accessing benefits and making your money go further.
University of Sussex financial support
The University of Sussex provides financial support to students from lower-income families.
In 2020, eligible UK students with a household income of less than £25,000 are entitled to the following in addition to any UK Government support:
- Year 1 – a £1,000 bursary
- Years 2, 3 and 4 – a £500 cash bursary in each year
- From the fifth year of study, eligible students will receive support from NHS Bursaries instead.
Your eligibility will be assessed by the University of Brighton based on information provided in your Student Finance application: gov.uk/student-finance
Special packages are also available to care leavers and students estranged from their families.
Other bursaries and scholarships include:
- International scholarships
- Merit scholarships
- Sports scholarships
VIEW FUNDING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX >
BSMS students are not eligible for the University of Brighton scheme.
NHS Bursary
From the fifth year of study, you may be eligible for an NHS Bursary. This may include:
- Support with tuition fees
- Grants towards living costs
- Additional help, depending on your circumstances (eg, Dependents’ Allowance).
Find out more about the NHS Bursary >
Students with a previous degree
If you are a UK student and already have a degree you may find funding difficult for the BM BS degree, as you will not have access to a tuition fee loan. However you may apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards living costs such as food and rent. Before you begin your studies, you should make sure that you have adequate funds to cover your living costs and tuition fees for the duration of your course.
You may be eligible for University of Sussex support (see above), and from your fifth year of study you may be eligible for an NHS Bursary to cover tuition fees and maintenance costs.
The universities and external charitable organisations are, at times, able to make additional support available specifically for graduate students, subject to eligibility.
Other financial support
To assist new full-time home (UK) students studying for their first degree, a range of financial support is provided by the UK Government:
- You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover your tuition fees in full, which you only start to pay back when you are earning over a certain threshold.
- You can apply for a means-tested Maintenance Loan to help towards living costs such as food and rent.
- If you are a parent or a carer, other means-tested financial support is also available, including a Parents’ Learning Allowance and a Childcare Grant.
See gov.uk/student-finance for further information on government funding for students normally resident in England.
If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you will be offered a different package of support: please refer to the relevant funding bodies:
Scotland: saas.gov.uk
Wales: studentfinancewales.co.uk
Ireland: studentfinanceni.co.uk
EU students
In 2020, EU students are only eligible for a tuition fee loan from the UK Government. There are some exceptions, eg, for EU students who have been living in the UK for more than five years - see gov.uk/studentfinance for more information.
Funding has not been agreed for EU students entering university in 2021.
Additional issues
Remember in all cases to seek advice if financial difficulties impact on your studies, wellbeing or other parts of your life. While there may be limits to the course adjustments that can be offered, it’s important to ask for help if needed. BM BS students can speak to the BSMS Student Welfare Advisers, who will be happy to discuss this.