Bursary provision in the UK during a cost-of-living crisis: time to act

The cost of living is rising in the UK. Bursaries are a source of financial support for low-income students which do not add to their final debt. There is a possibility that there will be rising pressure on university bursary budgets in the coming years. Universities set their own thresholds and amounts for bursaries, but they haven’t changed in recent years. This research takes the findings from previous research on the impact of bursaries and uses a realist methodology to test with students if the findings still apply post-pandemic and within a period of higher costs. Based on surveys and interviews with students at two UK universities, this research indicates that some low-income students are struggling to heat their homes, balance studying with paid work and integrate socially. Bursaries may not really help with meeting core costs, as they’ve become too high, but can help meet unexpected costs and are still valued by eligible students. Recommendations coming from this research are to provide additional financial support for socialising, reassurance that bursary payments will continue, and that current amounts should not be cut, as bursary students are already struggling.