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Widening Participation Bursary

Open for 2026 entry applications.

The Widening Participation Bursary is awarded to a small group of first-year students (level 4) who meet specific eligibility criteria.

We’re delighted that applications for the Widening Participation Bursary are now open for 2026 entry. If awarded, you may receive up to £2,000 per annum that is automatically applied to each year of your degree programme at St Mary’s (maximum of three years for an undergraduate degree). Additional funding for one year may be available if you progress to a PGCE programme that does not have a Department for Education bursary.

This funding is paid directly to you.

Eligibility is based on the following factors:

  • You must be a Home/UK student
  • You must be enrolling on a full-time undergraduate or eligible PGCE programme starting in September 2026
  • You must have declared on your UCAS application (or SMU enrolment form for non-UCAS entrants) that you have received free school meals at any point within the last six years.
  • Successful applicants must have an active account with Student Finance (Student Loans Company) and be receiving a maintenance and/or tuition fee loan.

If successful, recipients are paid in two instalments across the academic year (January and April).

Please fill in the form below to express your interest in the Widening Participation Bursary for 2026.

An expression of interest is not a guarantee as this bursary is discretionary, and it relies on several eligibility criteria being met.

Please note that although this interest form is open until the end of November 2026, we reserve the right to close the bursary at any point if funding has been allocated.

If you have any questions you can email the Widening Participation Team at