16 - 18 Bursary Fund

To be eligible for The 16-18 Bursary Fund, students must be:

considered Home fee status

studying a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design which starts in September 2025

aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31 August 2025.

Vulnerable Bursary for Young people in Local Authority Care

The Vulnerable Bursary is to help support vulnerable students who are unlikely to be receiving financial assistance from parents or carers, so may need a greater level of support to enable them to continue to participate in the course. The Vulnerable Bursary can award up to £1,200 per year to students who are able to evidence one or more of the eligibility criteria below:

In care

NB: In care is defined as children looked after by a local authority on a voluntary basis (section 20 of the Children Act 1989) or under a care order (section 31 of the Children Act 1989). Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 defines the term ‘looked after child'.

Care leaver

NB: A ‘care leaver' is defined as a young person aged 16 and 17 who was previously looked after for a period of 13 weeks consecutively (or periods amounting to 13 weeks), which began after the age of 14 and ended after the age of 16 or a young person aged 18 or above who was looked after prior to becoming 18 for a period of 13 weeks consecutively (or periods amounting to 13 weeks), which began after the age of 14 and ended after the age of 16

In receipt of Income Support (IS), or Universal Credit (UC) because you are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself as well as someone who is dependent on you and living with them, such as a child or partner

Receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in your own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in their own right/name

Discretionary Bursaries

The Discretionary Bursary provides support to help students with the cost of travel, equipment (digital devices only), books and specialist clothing specific to and required for the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design course.

To be eligible for the 16-18 Bursary Fund, students must:

be enrolled on the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at UAL starting in September 2025 and

be aged between 16 and 18 years of age, as of August 31, 2025 and

be considered a home student for tuition fee purposes and

have a confirmed household income equal to or below £25,000 per annum (gross income).

The Discretionary Bursary can also provide one-off support for unexpected circumstances resulting in financial hardship e.g., costs incurred due to bereavement of immediate family, priority debt (not applicable to parent/guardian/carer's debt or debt incurred before the start of the course), change in household income resulting in hardship. You will provide evidence to support unexpected circumstances.

Residential Bursary

For students who qualify for the Vulnerable Bursary or Discretionary Bursary, you may be eligible for a Residential Bursary if you move from home to study your course. The Residential Bursary provides a contribution of up to £11,000 maximum towards rental costs for the academic year.

The Residential Bursary is made payable directly to the landlord or accommodation provider in two equal instalments. If successful, the first instalment will be made upon receipt of the acceptance form, return of your signed ‘Accommodation Sponsor Form' and completion of full enrolment on the course.

Additional costs related to the deposit, guarantor scheme, moving or utility fees, council tax charges, administrative or contractual fees or damage/repair charges incurred, are not supported by the Residential Bursary Fund.