Financial support
Package
We know that university life is an exciting journey, but it can sometimes feel financially challenging, which is why we’ve created our financial support package. Both our £5,000 Cost of Living Allowance and Kick-Start Scheme funds do not need to be paid back, providing you with valuable financial assistance to cover essential expenses such as accommodation, food, and study materials.
What does the financial support package include?
1. £5,000 Cost of Living Allowance
Non-means-tested. No repayment
All full-time UK undergraduate students starting in September 2025 will receive a £5,000 Cost of Living Allowance, which doesn't have to be paid back. No catch, just some extra support. The allowance will be paid in eight monthly instalments of £250 between October and May in the first two years of the course. A further £1,000 will be paid in two instalments of £500 each in the final year.
Find out more
2. Kick-Start Scheme (up to £800 per year)
Non-means-tested. No repayment
All full-time UK students starting an undergraduate course may be eligible to receive financial support worth up to £800 in each year of study. Funds are provided as a credit which can be spent on the Kick-Start website to purchase course-related materials and range of products to support your studies. You can also purchase bus passes via Kick-Start from the Guild of Students.
Find out more
3. Free fruit, toast and soup
Available for all students
We provide free fruit and toast in the morning and soup and bread in the afternoon at our Summer Row cafe. Whether you need a quick, nutritious snack before class or a warm, comforting meal during your day, we’ve got you covered.
Additionally, Kick-Start funds can be used across our food outlets.
Additional financial support
There are other ways we may be able to support you financially during your time at University College Birmingham.
University College Birmingham Hardship Fund
If you are a home or EU student enrolled and studying on a University (higher education) course, and you experience unexpected financial difficulties, you may be able to access support from the Hardship fund. In line with funding regulations, applications are prioritised for:
- Students with dependent children, especially single parents
- Mature students with existing financial commitments
- Students with disabilities
- Students who are care experienced
- Students who were homeless or living in a 'foyer' for young people
The grants offered are considered by assessing your circumstances on a case by case basis. You may be considered for an award if you are experiencing an unforeseen situation that has impacted your financial capability to afford your basic living costs and is impacting your studies.
Guidelines and information on applying will be available when applications open in October 2025/ 26.
How do I apply?
Applications will open in October of 2025/ 26 after teaching commences.
If you are a currently enrolled student and are in need of support over the summer period due to an unexpected financial difficulty, please contact f.support@ucb.ac.uk to find out what we can do to help.
Scholarships and fee waivers
Childcare
All full-time university (higher education) students should apply to Student Finance England for help with childcare costs. The amount you can receive depends on your financial circumstances. The application form (CCG1) is available at: www.gov.uk search for 'Student Finance forms.'
Need help finding suitable childcare?For information about childcare providers, please visit birmingham.gov.uk/childcare
You can also look at the guide to finding childcare in Birmingham
Financial support for Care Leavers
If you are a Care Leaver coming to study with us, you may be able to access additional financial support to help with your transition into university. The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 defines a care leaver as someone who has been in the care of the Local Authority for a period of 13 weeks or more following their 16th birthday.
Our financial support offer includes:
- Up to four weeks to pay the £100 security deposit necessary to secure accommodation for students choosing to stay in UCB Halls of Residence
- A rent contribution of £275 payable in semester 1
- A UniKitOut essentials starter pack (www.unikitout.com) ready for when you move into our Halls of Residence
- £200 cash payment in semester 2 (subject to satisfactory attendance)
The financial support offer is available to eligible students in their first year of study only.
In addition, you can access:
- Pre-arrival budgeting advice and assistance with the Student Finance application process
- Priority access to our HE Access Fund, if necessary
- Summer accommodation at our Halls of Residence
Please email our Student Services team and email s.services@ucb.ac.uk, providing your contact information, date of birth, course information and brief details about your circumstances. Please attach evidence of your C Leaver status which should be issued by your Local Authority. We will then be in touch to discuss accessing financial support.
Further Education
If you are a Care Leaver coming to study a college course (level 3 or below) with us, please complete the College Financial Support application. The application form for the academic year 2022/23 has been released and is now available for you to access online. If you provide us with evidence issued by your Local Authority, confirming your status. You may be eligible to receive:- Help towards your uniform and equipment costs
- An NXBus West Midlands travel pass
- A bursary of £25.00 per week
- Free meals in college
Funding for Nursing, Physiotherapy and Paramedic degrees
If you are applying for a place on one of our healthcare courses, you can of course apply for all the usual funding through your relevant Student Finance awarding agency.
The additional support available to Nursing, Physiotherapy and Paramedic students includes a non-repayable payment of £5,000 to eligible students each academic year, and additional payments worth up to a total of £3,000 to help students cover childcare costs. This support is administered by the NHS Business Services Authority and more information can be found here.
Please note that if you wish to study one of these courses, but you are unsure whether you will be entitled to student loans because you already have a first degree, the usual rules around ‘equivalent level qualifications’ (ELQ) do not apply. Nursing and Physiotherapy are considered as exceptions to the ELQ rules therefore you will still be able to access tuition fee loan and maintenance loan funding for either one of these courses.
Access Fund - for Diagnostic tests and DSA contribution fee support
If you are a home or EU student studying a university (higher education) course and you need support to pay for a diagnostic test for dyslexia/ADHD to support your application for DSA or support with paying the £200 DSA contribution fee for equipment you may be eligible for the Access Fund.
If your household income has been assessed as being under £30,000 you may be eligible for some support with the cost of the above.
In line with funding regulations, applications are prioritised for:
• Students with dependent children, especially single parents
• Mature students with existing financial commitments
• Students with disabilities
• Students who previously were in care or care leavers
• Students who were homeless or living in a 'foyer' for young people
How much can I get?
Please note we use the information provided by Student Finance England to assess household income. If you did not apply for a maintenance loan and have not had your household income assessed please contact f.support@ucb.ac.uk for further advice.
Diagnostic Test Support
The level of award will be dependent on the level of household income.
• £25,000 or below – 100% of the cost of a diagnostic assessment up to £500
• £25,000 - £27,500 – 50% of the cost of a diagnostic assessment up to £500
• £27,500 - £30,000 – 25% of the cost of a diagnostic assessment up to £500
If your household income is over the £30,000 threshold, you can still apply for support but you will have to do this via the Hardship Fund.
DSA contribution fee for equipment
The level of award will be dependent on the level of household income.
If your household income is below £30,000 per annum we will award the full £200. If it is above £30,000 we will contribute 50% of the fee.
How do I apply?
Diagnostic Test Support
After checking you meet the eligibility criteria, you will need to contact our Disability and Neurodiversity Support - link to https://www.ucb.ac.uk/student-support/disability-and-neurodiversity-support/ team for an initial assessment.
You can then contact the financial support team (f.support@ucb.ac.uk) requesting an application form.
We will then send you an application form and guide to applying.
DSA contribution fee for equipment
After checking you meet the eligibility criteria, please contact the financial support team (f.support@ucb.ac.uk) with your letter from DSA stating that you are required to pay the £200 contribution cost for equipment.
We will then send you an application form and guide to applying.
Please ensure you have read the guidelines and information below on how to apply and who is eligible carefully before submitting an application.
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