Bursaries & Financial Assistance

Who is eligible? 

UK-domiciled undergraduate students who are new to HE with a household income below £42,875.

* Household income is based on the income of parents unless the student meets the independent student test, see link: https://www.ucas.com/finance/student-finance-england/finance-independent-students

How to apply

This is an automatic bursary depending on household income criteria

NSCD will be able to access your household income through the Student Loans Company if you have been means-tested for a maintenance loan and have given consent to share your information.

If you choose not to consent to sharing your information, you will not be assessed of this bursary.

If you are self-funding your fees and wish to be assessed independently, please contact accounts.nscd@nscd.ac.uk.

Value

Between £500 – £1,000 – dependent on household income:

Bursary type

Cash bursary

Who is eligible?

Home fee-paying undergraduate students who meet the definition of a care leaver or estranged student (see links below).

How to apply

Self-identify as a care leaver or estranged student at application or enrolment. We will require a letter from a Local Authority or equivalent body but are happy to support applicants/students with this process.

Value

£1,000 per year for each year of training.

Bursary type

Cash bursary

Further Information

Student Loans Company information:

Care Leavers

Estranged Students

Who is eligible?

All students who qualify as having one of the following legal statuses:

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILD) holders
• Humanitarian Protection holders
• Refugees, i.e. those granted official ‘refugee’ status and the related leave to remain as evident from a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) confirmatory letter

How to apply

Disclose status at application or any later stage and then a formal assessment will take place through NSCD.

Value

£1,000 per year for each year of training.

Bursary type

Cash bursary

Further Information

Student Action for Refugees

https://star-network.org.uk/ 

Who is eligible?

Students from groups currently underrepresented in higher education, including those from low-income households, who have a disability, are from areas of multiple deprivation, care-leavers, or those from under-represented ethnic groups.

How to apply

To apply for these funds, students need to complete the Nadine Senior Legacy Fund application form.

Applications for this funding are now closed. Students will be notified if the fund is reopened for further applications during the 2026/27 academic year.

Value / Bursary type

• Subsidised NSCD meals (undergraduate only)
• Termly payments (postgraduate only) – this matches the subsidised NSCD meals scheme but allowing more flexibility for PG students with different study patterns
• Cost of Living payments (UG and PG) – up to £150 per term to help students with the cost of living

Students can apply for a fee waiver of up to £3,000 which is based on household income. If you would like to be considered for a fee waiver either before or after you accept your offer, please email the following information to accounts.nscd@nscd.ac.uk. We will then inform you if we are able to offer a bursary and, if so, what amount.

Required information:

• Name
• Nationality
• Course
• Annual Household Income*: Please provide this amount and state the currency and whether gross or net. Please provide documentary proof.

The table below indicates the level of a Fee Waiver that may be given dependent on household income:

Fee waivers do not apply to online or distance-learning courses.

NSCD undergraduate students who are accepted on any MA course which has in-person taught content (VERVE/PPS/DaCE) will be offered an additional fee waiver of £500 from their MA Course fees.

* Household income is based on income of parents unless the student meets the criteria of being an independent student:

https://www.ucas.com/finance/student-finance-england/finance-independent-students

Who is eligible?

• New entrants – BA (Hons) Contemporary Dance Performance, MA Contemporary Dance Performance (VERVE) and MA Professional Placement Scheme in Dance students.
• Students from low-income households (household income below £42,875)
• There are only four Arts Scholarships available each academic year (2 undergraduate and 2 postgraduate). Applicants are encouraged to provide as much information as possible to support their application.

How to apply

• Applications are now closed. 
• Applicants will be shortlisted, and some will be invited to an interview with NSCD’s Financial Assistance Panel in July 2027.
• Applicants will be informed if successful in late July 2027.

Value

£5,000 per year of study. If successful, the funding is awarded for the entirety of the course (i.e. undergraduate students are guaranteed this funding in each year of their 3-year course).

Bursary type

Cash bursary is divided into termly payments.

The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding Online is all about alternative sources of funding – especially charities – which can make awards (fees, maintenance, research costs) to any student regardless of subject, or nationality.

The Alternative Guide Online contains a huge database of funding opportunities, comprehensive guidance, and numerous tools to help you prepare a winning grant application. Northern School has purchased a licence to the Guide, and so it’s free for all students and staff to use. You can log on using your NSCD email address by visiting:  www.postgraduate-funding.com/gateway

If you are due to start as a student at NSCD and would like to access this resource you can contact us for a pin number which will allow you access. Please contact admissions@nscd.ac.uk