Social Work Bursary (SWB)

The Social Work Bursary (SWB) is a grant to support eligible social work students who normally live in England. It provides non-means tested and means-tested bursary payments and a Placement Travel Allowance (PTA) for placement travel expenses. Undergraduate and postgraduate students may be eligible, with universities nominating a limited number of capped SWB places each academic year. Payments are made termly for full bursary recipients or as a lump sum for PTA-only students.

Non-means tested and means-tested bursary payments (amounts listed for 2025–2026) and a Placement Travel Allowance of £862.50 for full-time students; postgraduate bursaries may also help with tuition fees depending on eligibility.

You must normally live in England and meet residency and course criteria; universities must nominate you for a capped SWB place. You must be studying a course that leads to a first registration in social work on a university-based course approved by the relevant social work regulator and not be a registered social worker or on an employment-based or joint nursing/social work course.

New students create a MyFunding account and provide identity and residency evidence; continuing students sign in to MyFunding. Universities nominate capped places and NHSBSA will email invitations (from March 2026 for undergraduates, April 2026 for postgraduates).