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Foundation Year Success Bursary

Thank you for your interest in the Birkbeck Foundation Year Success Bursary 2026-27.

Applications for the Foundation Year Success Bursary are now open.

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.

Please read all the information before applying.

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 2026-27 academic year. If you are still awaiting your final results, you may still submit an application, however if you fail to progress, you will not be eligible for an award.
    • You must have good attendance, defined as recorded attendance of 70% or above during the 2025/26 academic year*.
    • Priority will be given to students with a household income of £42,875 or below, as assessed by Student Finance England.**
    • 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 2026-27 academic year. You must be fully enrolled by 16 October 2026.
    • You must be a registered Birkbeck student, intending to start your first year of undergraduate study on a programme that is based at our Bloomsbury campus in London (this includes programmes delivered online).
    • You must be considered a 'Home' fee paying student. 

    *Please note that applicants must have maintained attendance that meets both the 70% threshold and any attendance requirements linked to their funding. Failure to meet funding-related attendance requirements may affect eligibility for this bursary regardless of overall attendance percentage.

    **To be considered for income-based priority, applicants must have consented to Student Finance England sharing their household income information with the University. If you are unsure whether you have provided this consent, please contact Student Finance England

  • 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 assessed against the published eligibility and selection criteria. As the number of bursaries available is limited, meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that an award will be made. The University's decision on the award of bursaries is final.
    • Applicants will be notified of the outcome by Friday 25 September 2026. Successful applicants will be required to confirm acceptance of the award by the deadline specified in their award notification.
    • Funding is subject to the recipient being fully enrolled at Birkbeck and actively participating on their course.
    • As bursaries are awarded competitively and a high volume of applications is expected, we are unable to provide individual feedback on applications.
    • 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

  • Closing date for applications

    • Applications will close at midnight on Sunday 23 August 2026. Please read all of the information thoroughly before applying.