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Foundation Year Success Bursary

Thank you for your interest in the Birkbeck Foundation Year Success Bursary 2023-24.

Applications for the Foundation Year Success Bursary are now closed.

The Foundation Year Success Bursary is intended to empower students to succeed during their first year of undergraduate study by helping to remove financial barriers and support students who have demonstrated great potential.

This funding is made possible thanks to the generosity of alumni and supporters of Birkbeck who believe in Birkbeck’s mission to ensure access to education is possible for anyone with the ability and drive to study.

We have a limited number of bursaries to offer each year. Applying for a bursary is not a guarantee that you will receive it, even if you meet all the eligibility criteria. Details of the selection process are provided below.

Eligibility criteria

  • You must have completed a Foundation Year at Birkbeck and intend to start the first year of an undergraduate programme in the 2023-24 academic year.
  • If you have not yet enrolled for the first year of your undergraduate course, you may still apply. If your application is successful, the award will only be made if you have completed your enrolment for the 2023-24 academic year. This must be completed by 17 October 2023.
  • You must be considered a 'Home' fee paying student. 

Terms and value of award

  • The bursary is a non-repayable £3,000 cash award, paid during your first year of undergraduate study at Birkbeck (or across the first two years of study for part-time students).
  • Applicants will be initially assessed for eligibility against the criteria outlined and will then be shortlisted by a Foundation Year programme director from the relevant faculty.
  • The final awards will be made by a panel made up of a Foundation Year programme director from each faculty, the College's Foundation Year Lead and a student funding representative. The decision of this panel will be final.
  • Applicants will be notified of the outcome by Thursday 21 September 2023. Recipients of the award must acknowledge that they accept the award and agree to the terms and conditions by midnight Thursday 28 September 2023.
  • Funding is subject to the recipient being fully enrolled at Birkbeck and actively participating on their course.
  • Recipients will be asked to share their Birkbeck experience and their story will to be utilised in publications and reports that are shared with donors and, where appropriate, attend donor events if possible.

How to apply

  • Applications for the Bursary are now closed for 2023-24.