If you're struggling financially during your studies at BU you may benefit from additional support or guidance. There is a range of external resources available specifically for students, including organisations and trusts who offer advice and funding. Please note that BU is not affiliated with with any of the following services, these are provided as information only:
Advice and information
Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Citizens Advice - offering a range of advice, including help on state benefits and debt.
Money Saving Expert - guides on student finance, including budget planning, bank accounts and money saving tips.
National Debtline - a factsheet on how debt and mental health can affect each other, and the various approaches you can take to deal with your debts.
Save the Student - information on bank accounts, scholarships and funding for international students, plus other ways to save money.
Save the Student: Tools - student budget calculator and downloadable budget spreadsheet, part-time work job search, phone contract comparison and other useful tools.
StepChange Debt Charity - debt solutions and support.
Tax Guide for Students - very useful information on all thing tax relating to students.
Money Helper - advice and guides to help improve your finances, including tools and calculators to help keep track and plan ahead, plus support over the phone and online.
External Funding
Bournemouth Food Bank - if you're considering support from a food bank, SUBU Advice can assist you with accessing this support.
Clingan’s Trust - grants for students, mainly from Christchurch, Highcliffe, parts of Bournemouth to the east of the town centre and other outlying areas to the north and east of Christchurch.
Gordon Charitable Trust - assist young people who have lived and studied in Dorset with financial support (to a very limited extent) for higher and further education. To find out more email [email protected], or call 01202 768337.
Snowdon Trust - helping remove barriers by funding disability-related study costs so students can access and participate in their studies in further or higher education.
The Black Heart Foundation - the Scholarship Programme awards several annual bursaries to qualified candidates to advance their educational goals and life aspirations.
The Cecil Charity - open to students under 25 years old who require additional financial assistance. Preference is given to individuals from low-income backgrounds but all applications are considered, providing that they demonstrate a significant need for financial assistance.
The Leverhulme Trust - established by the Will of William Hesketh Lever, the founder of Lever Brothers. Since 1925 Leverhulme have provided grants and scholarships for research and education; today, Leverhulme are one of the largest all-subject providers of research funding in the UK, distributing approximately £80m a year.
Turn to Us - grants database
Unite Foundation - care leavers and students estranged from their families and studying at BU can qualify for free accommodation in Unite properties - open to both new and continuation students.
Wiltshire Community Foundation - University Bursary - this grant is for young people under 25 to support the costs of studying their first undergraduate degree course at a UK university.
Postgraduate students
BU subscribes to a funding database specifically for those looking for funding to support postgraduate studies, called The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding. The guide is free for all BU students and staff - find out more about The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding. Even if you are an undergraduate student, you may find the guide useful.
Gambling and gaming awareness
If you've experienced issues with online gambling and gaming, and feel that you're in need of support, we've put together some guidance on what you can do to protect yourself.
