Financial support
We understand that pursuing a degree can be financially demanding, and we are committed to providing support to help ease this burden. Below are some of the ways Queen Mary University and the NHS can assist:
Bursaries and hardship funds
There are numerous funding opportunities available to assist students, for example: QMSU Funding e.g. graduation and liberation funds and Financial Assistance Fund.
You can find out more about hardship funding by clicking on this weblink and further information on grant support by clicking on this weblink. Additionally, there are bursaries specific for Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry (FMD) students, you can find more information on what’s available by clicking on this weblink.
Deans Benevolence Fund
The Deans Benevolence Committee has set up the Deans Benevolence Fund. This fund enables the medical school to coordinate and manage the distribution of possible sources of financial assistance available to students in severe financial hardship, especially when it arises in undergraduates.
You can find out about the Deans Benevolence fund on the Queen Mary and Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry bursaries webpage.
NHS bursary
Undergraduate medical students are eligible for NHS funding from their 5th year of study and beyond. Students on the Graduate Entry (GEP) and Maxillofacial programmes are eligible for NHS funding from year 2 and beyond. You can find out more information on the NHS bursary of this NHS webpage.
Support for placement costs
The NHS offers reimbursement on Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) claims. if you’ve attended placement as part of your course, you might be able to claim back: excess costs for travel relating to your placement, compared to your usual journey to the university and accommodation you paid for to attend the placement.
Advice and guidance
Queen Mary’s Advice & Counselling Service (ACS) offers a Money and Practical Advice service. You can meet with a welfare advisor to discuss topics such as tuition fee information, liaison with Student Finance England and options on funding your studies. Additionally, we recommend looking at Royal Medical Benevolent Funds website for further guidance.
Support for students impacted by gambling
If you’re experiencing difficulties related to gambling - whether it’s your own behaviour or someone else’s - you’re not alone, and support is available. Gambling can affect your wellbeing, finances, relationships, and studies. It is important to know that gambling is not your fault, and you deserve support without judgement.
Our team offers confidential guidance and can connect you with specialist services to help you take the next step. If you are concerned or simply want to talk, please reach out to us via ihse-student-support@qmul.ac.uk
We also recommend accessing the following services:
- Chapter One website
- Gambling Harm UK website
- Gamblers Anonymous website
- Gamanon for affected others website
Scholarships and grants
We understand that funding your education can be challenging, which is why the university offers a range of scholarships and grants to support students from various backgrounds. Visit our Undergraduate Scholarships page and the Expeditions Fund page explore your options and check your eligibility.
Intercalated funds
Students on intercalated degrees will be invited to apply for an intercalated hardship bursary if they are experiencing financial difficulties. The bursaries range from £1,000 to £2,500.
All students studying an intercalated degree will be invited to submit an application and when your application has been processed you will be notified of the outcome.
Part-time work opportunities
Queen Mary offers a variety of support to students who would benefit from working during their studies such as: CV guidance, support in preparing for interviews, finding part-time work and roles in the local area. You can find more information on working during your studies on this weblink.
Short- term loans
Queen Mary offers short term loans of up to £350 to students who have experienced a delay in their maintenance loan being paid by the student loans company. You can find more information on this Queen Mary webpage.
Exceptional Circumstances Affecting Placement (ECAP) criterion: ‘work commitments/financial hardships’
in 2023, the Institute of Health Sciences Education (IHSE) Student Support team, BLSA, and the IHSE placement team added a new criterion to the ECAP process.
This criterion addresses work commitments and financial hardships, recognizing that some students must work to meet basic living expenses. Since placement allocations may affect a student's ability to earn income, students in such circumstances can apply for ECAP under this criterion. If approved, they may be placed in a trust closer to their workplace, allowing them to balance earning money with fulfilling course requirements. If you have any questions relating to the ECAP process, please email our team on ihse-student-support@qmul.ac.uk.