NHS funded courses
The Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport announced in December 2016 that support for Health Education programmes would continue in Wales for those who wished to commit to work in Wales for a 2 year period following graduation.
Students who choose not to commit to the Terms and Conditions laid out by NHS Wales may be entitled to receive funding from their Student Finance organisation. Please see our Undergraduate and PGCE page for full funding details.
Students are encouraged to look at both funding opportunities to ensure that they apply for the funding opportunity that will best support their living costs whilst they study.
Funding from NHS Wales
The NHS Bursary package differs from the support available to non-NHS students. To qualify for NHS financial support:
- You must be accepted for an NHS funded place on a full or part time course.
- You must have been living in the UK for the three years immediately before the start of the academic year in which the course begins and in Wales on the first day of the first academic year of the course
- and commit to work in Wales for a TWO year period following graduation
Who can apply?
To qualify for NHS financial support, students must be accepted for an NHS funded place on a full or part-time course which leads to professional registration as a:-
- radiographer
- nurse
- midwife
- doctor or dentist (eligible for bursary in the latter stages of training)
At Bangor University this is relevant for Nursing, Midwifery and Radiography students.
Tuition Fee Costs
Tuition Fee Support for students who opt for NHS Wales funding:
- The tuition fees for non-medical courses for students who choose to commit to work in Wales for a TWO year period following graduation are paid directly by the NHS so eligible students are not required to pay tuition fees.
Financing your Living Costs
The following financial support is available from NHS Wales:
- a non-means tested grant of £1,000
- a means tested basic bursary of: up to £2,643 (30 weeks) plus £84 for each additional (this is called the ‘Elsewhere Rate’ and is payable to students living away from the parental home during the course)
up to £2,207 (30 weeks) plus £54 for each additional week (this is called the ‘Parental Home Rate’ and is payable to students living at the parental home during the course)
Students can also apply for a non-means tested Reduced Maintenance Loan from their student funding organisation:
- Maintenance Loans are available to help pay for living expenses such as accommodation, food, books, clothes and travel. This money comes from the Welsh Government via the Student Loans Company.
- The Maintenance Loan will be paid directly into your bank or building society account in three instalments - one at the start of each term.
- A Maintenance Loan has to be repaid once you leave your course and start earning more than £26,575 a year. Deductions are usually made through the PAYE tax system by your employer in the same way as tax and National Insurance contributions. You will make repayments at a rate of 9% of any amount that you earn above £26,575 a year. For further information, please visit the following website: www.studentlaonrepayment.co.uk.
Maintenance Loans for Welsh domiciled students
|
2020/21 Starters |
2019/20 starter |
Elsewhere rate: |
£4,405 |
£4,110 |
Parental Home rate: |
£3,665 |
£3,420 |
Apply on-line or download a paper PN1 form from: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
Maintenance Loans for English domiciled student:
|
2020/21 Starters |
2019/20 starter |
Elsewhere rate: |
£2,458 |
£2,389 |
Apply on-line or download a paper PN1 form from: www.gov.uk/student-finance
How and when to apply for NHS Wales funding
- The NHS Wales Student Awards Unit will send you an initial application form.
- On the receipt of your completed initial application form, you will be sent a financial assessment form in order that your bursary entitlement can be calculated.
- Once this has been completed you will be sent a grant notification letter advising you of the level of your award, any parental or spouse contribution and any contribution to travel.
- For further information visit the following website: http://www.nwsspstudentfinance.wales.nhs.uk/home
Additional Financial Support
In addition, students can apply for a number of additional allowances if they meet specific criteria.
- Dependants’ Allowances
- Parent Learning Allowance
- Childcare Allowance
Clinical/Practice Placement Costs:-
Students may also be able to receive assistance with clinical /practice placement costs, which are means tested. Students should contact their university for advice on how to claim clinical/practice placement costs.
Disabled Students’ Allowances:-
Students with a disability and who need extra help or equipment to help complete their course may be able to receive assistance under the Disabled Students’ Allowance. Students should contact their university in the first instance for advice on how to claim Disabled Students’ Allowance.
Funding details for students who choose NOT to commit to working within Wales for two years after graduation
Please refer to the Undergraduate and PGCE page on our website.
Contact Details
Bangor: 01248 383127
NHS Wales Student Awards Unit (The NHS Wales Student Award Unit implements the NHS Wales Bursary Schemes, which provides funding for healthcare students on NHS funded courses in Wales).
Student Awards Services
Floor 4
Companies House
Crown Way
Cardiff
CF14 3UB
Tel: 029 2090 5380
Email: abm.sas@wales.nhs.uk
Please include your SAS reference number (if you have one) full name, date of birth and postcode.
The telephone lines are open from 9.00 a.m. until 4.30 p.m.
NHS Wales Awards Unit Website: http://www.nwssp.wales.nhs.uk/student-awards