Physiotherapy BSc(Hons): Living costs
Find out about financial support
NHS bursary
Students on these courses can apply to NHS Student Bursaries for an income-assessed bursary and a non-income assessed maintenance grant. The rates for 2012/13 are:
- Non-income assessed maintenance grant: Flat rate of £1,000
- Income-assessed bursary:
- £5,460 if you will be living in your own or rented accommodation whilst studying
- £3,351 if you will be living with your parents whilst studying
For more information, please visit the NHS Student Bursaries website.
Maintenance loan
You can also apply for a maintenance loan, which is not income-assessed. The rates for 2012/13 are:
- £3,263 if you will be living in your own or rented accommodation whilst studying
- £1,744 if you will be living with your parents whilst studying.
The available amount of loan increases in line with inflation each academic year but will be lower in the final year of your course (because it doesn't cover the summer vacation for that year). A low interest rate is charged on the maintenance loan from the time you receive the first instalment until it is repaid.
Students from England
NHS Bursaries and Maintenance Grants
You can apply online at NHS Student Bursaries once the University has confirmed that you have been offered a place on the course and NHS Student Bursaries have sent you a student number.
Maintenance loans
Students from England can apply online via Student Finance England. You should apply as early as possible in order to avoid any delays in receiving your student finance when you start your course – the application process is usually available soon into the New Year.
You will be able to use your UCAS user name and password, and will need to give consent for data from your UCAS application to be used for your student finance application. Once you (and your parents, guardians or partner) have completed the financial information, you will receive information about the student finance available.
Once the assessment has been completed, Student Finance England will send you a Declaration Form that you must sign and return to them. No student finance will be paid to you until you have returned this form.
If you prefer, you can also apply on paper. If you decide to apply on paper, put Kingston University as your institution and use the university code K84.
Students from other parts of the UK should check the relevant website for your part of the UK for more information and to find out when you can apply:
European Union students
If you are from another European country you are eligible for a bursary for your fees only. However, if you have been living in the UK for at least the last three years or you qualify as a migrant worker, you qualify for the bursary and maintenance loan.
Seconded students
Students who are seconded by a NHS Trust are not eligible for the NHS Bursary. Instead, you can apply for the 'standard' package of student finance through Student Finance England or other national equivalent:
You may be eligible for a package of support including:
- a low-interest maintenance loan (which you pay back once you are earning);
- a non-repayable maintenance grant (which you do not have to pay back); and/or
Please note that if you already hold an honours degree, you will not be eligible for a maintenance grant.
Maintenance loans: This is the main source of support for students in higher education. It helps you to pay for things like accommodation, travel, books, course equipment and living expenses.
There are two maximum rates of maintenance loan:
- £7,675 if you live in your own or rented accommodation whilst studying;
- £4,375 if you live in your parents' home whilst studying.
The maximum maintenance loan rate increases in line with inflation each year but (for courses of more than one year) will be lower in the final year of your course (because it doesn't cover the summer vacation for that year).
Part of the maintenance loan is income-assessed so the amount you get may be reduced if your household income is more than around £42,600.
Interest will be charged (at the same rate as the tuition loan) from the time the first instalment is paid until you have repaid it.
Maintenance grants: Maintenance grants provide additional non-repayable support for your living costs. It is paid instead of part of your maintenance loan (up to £1,625) and is fully income-assessed as follows:
| Household income | Amount of grant |
|---|---|
| Below £25,000 |
£3,250 |
| Between £25,001 and £42,600 | £3,249–£50 |
| £42,601 or higher | Nil |
Summary of funding: Here is a summary of the student finance you might receive to help with your living expenses:
| Household income | Maintenance grant | Maintenance loan (London rate) | Total student finance for living costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £0–£25,000 | £3,250 | £6,686 | £9,936 |
| £30,000 | £2,341 | £7,141 | £9,482 |
| £40,000 | £523 | £8,028 | £8,551 |
| £50,000 | £0 | £6,963 | £6,963 |
| £60,000 | £0 | £5,963 | £5,963 |
| £70,000 | £0 | £4,988 | £4,988 |
| £80,000 | £0 | £4,988 | £4,988 |
(Figures are subject to confirmation and may change.)
Students from other parts of the UK
Funding for students from other parts of the UK is different to that for students from England. Please refer to the relevant website listed below for more information.
- Students from Wales: Student Finance Wales
- Students from Northern Ireland: Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Students from Scotland: Student Awards Agency for Scotland
Additional support
Additional, non-repayable support is available if you are disabled or if you have dependants. Visit St George's student finance website for more information.
Need to know more?
See St George's student finance website for more information.
