BU Estrangement Bursary

The BU Estrangement Bursary provides additional support if you are a new student joining us in September 2025 and have have been classed as estranged by Student Finance England.

The bursary does not need to be repaid and can be used towards paying your rent or to support your living costs whilst at university.

You'll be automatically awarded the bursary as long as you meet the eligibility criteria so there’s no need to apply. As long as you still meet the criteria, you’ll continue to receive the bursary every year you’re studying at BU (unless you’re on a placement year).

Please note that our bursary provision for September 2025 entry is subject to approval by the Office for Students, expected late 2024.

How much is the bursary worth?

You will receive up to £9,000 over three years of study (up to £12,000 if you are studying a Foundation Year*) to support your learning and living costs, should you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. The amount received will be pro-rata for part-time study. If you are studying a Top-up degree lasting one year, you will receive £3,000.

*If studying a Foundation Year, you must be paying the higher tuition fee of £9,535 to be eligible.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for a BU Estrangement Bursary, you must:

be classed as estranged by Student Finance England
be registered as Home for fee status; and
live in England and have been ordinarily resident in England for three years prior to the start date of your course*
be eligible for both the Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan from Student Finance England
be a new student for September 2025 entry, actively participating on an Undergraduate BU or Wiltshire College Salisbury** course (excluding HNC/HND) on a full or part-time basis
have a household income of £25,000 or less***.

*Students who are ordinarily resident in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are excluded from receiving the BU Estrangement Bursary due to alternative funding arrangements being available to them. Ordinarily resident has been defined as 'habitual and normal residence in one place.’ It means that you live in a country year after year by choice through a set period, apart from temporary or occasional absences, such as holidays or business trips. Living here totally or mainly for the purpose of receiving full-time education does not count as being ordinarily resident. The course start date is defined as 1 September for September entrants and 1 January for January/February entrants.

**Applies to: BA (Hons) Film Production and Cinematography. If you're studying at one of our other Partner Colleges, you will need to contact them for information about financial support.

***You will need to meet the eligibility criteria each year in order to qualify for the full bursary.

How to apply for a BU Estrangement Bursary

How are bursaries paid?

Is there any other support for estranged students?

Proven estranged students are automatically guaranteed BU accommodation regardless of when they require it.

Purbeck House, which is operated by our accommodation partner Unite Students, offer all Care Leavers who live in this property the opportunity to apply for the Unite Foundation Scholarship. Details on the scheme can be found at the Unite Foundation website, including levels of funding available, eligibiltiy and how to apply for the bursary. If you are eligible and interested in applying for this funding then you would need to ensure you lived in Purbeck House. If you would like to discuss your eligibility for the scheme and how to put in your application then you can contact our Student Support & Engagement Team.

Important information

Bursaries are reviewed on a regular basis and the university reserves the right to withdraw, amend or introduce new bursaries at any time. However, BU will not alter to a student’s detriment the rules applying to a bursary package that has been awarded. Bursaries are offered subject to funding and availability.